What does it take to turn an idea into a company that changes an industry—or even the world? As a venture capital investor, I spend every day meeting founders who are tackling real problems with bold solutions. In this session, I’ll pull back the curtain on how investors evaluate startups, what separates the ones that thrive from the ones that stall, and how students can apply entrepreneurial thinking even if they don’t plan to start a company tomorrow.
Students will learn:
The three questions every VC asks before writing a check.
Why problem-first thinking beats idea-first thinking.
The role of risk-taking, resilience, and timing in entrepreneurial success.
How to recognize opportunities in everyday challenges.
By the end, students will leave with a sharper lens for spotting opportunities, a simple framework for testing ideas, and the confidence to think like innovators—whether they want to build startups, join one, or bring fresh ideas into their future careers.
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