Jumpstart

The Garage’s Pre-Accelerator program, Jumpstart, aims to develop students as both leaders and founders by introducing new ways of thinking and problem solving.

The Jumpstart Pre-Accelerator program  at The Garage seeks to accelerate early-stage student teams by giving them additional resources and coaching over a period of 10 weeks –  June 17 through August 21, 2024. We aim to help them to reach problem solution fit, and prepare them for the next phase of their ventures whether it’s customer acquisition, growth, fundraising, or applying to accelerators. Jumpstart culminates with Demo Day, where students will present their proposal and gain feedback from established judges. This is a program designed to help early-stage ventures learn, grow, and overcome obstacles preventing the launch of their ventures.

Like all programs at The Garage, Jumpstart welcomes all ideas: for-profit, nonprofit, arts-based, technology, or anything that students wish to see come to life through innovation and hard work.

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Program

Jumpstart is comprised of three vital pillars: development of the entrepreneurial toolkit, learning to sell yourself and your idea via pitch practice, and gaining an entrepreneurial mindset. Through thoughtful content workshops, team building activities, and one-on-one guidance, students learn the ABC’s of entrepreneurship, master the art of storytelling, and develop important soft skills like resiliency and the ability to have difficult conversations. Student teams are also offered a stipend to sustain their ventures through the summer.

After Jumpstart wraps, student teams pitch their ventures at Demo Day, where a prize pool of $10,000 is up for grabs.

Student Team Highlights

Borrough

Borrough is a marketplace that enables building residents to rent household items in a simple, convenient, and secure way.

Team led by program participants Elliot Hall, Kellogg ’23 & Rahul Srivathsa, Kellogg ’24.

Envo

Envo is a sustainability company that offers innovative alternatives for single-use plastic products.

Team led by program participants Zahra Hussain, Weinberg ’25 & Mohammad Hasan Khokhar, Weinberg ’24.

hostU

hostU matches students who are looking to sublet their place or find a place to stay: our matching algorithm verifies university-affiliation and sends users direct matches.

Team led by program participants Bella LeSage, Weinberg ’25 & Leah Kelly, Harvard ’25.

Navi

Navi is a companion app that aids blind pedestrians in safely crossing the street.

Team led by program participants Hyeyun Jeong, Weinberg ’25 & Taejune Yoon, Weinberg ’25.

Kitchen Kapital

Kitchen Kapital provides accessible and tailored financing options for small foodservice owners with alternative credit scoring using Data/ML.

Team led by program participants Akito Kashiwai, Kellogg ’24; Alex Saavedra, Weinberg ’23; Mark Fortes, Weinberg ’25; & Jesse Ozdamar, Kellogg ’24.

OLYMPUS

OLYMPUS is a social fitness platform that enables weightlifters to analyze key metrics, share their progress, and engage with a global community of athletes.

Team led by program participants Scott Tsangeos, Kellogg ’24; Jerry Han, McCormick ’26; Anna Xiao, Weinberg ’24; & Rafael Biedron, McCormick ’26; & Haley Hooper, SESP ’23.

RelationTrip

RelationTrip is a dedicated place for people to grow their relationships and save the unique experiences shared.

Team led by program participants Ashley Guo, SESP ’25 & Ryan Lee, McCormick '26.

Roete

Roete is a software tool that streamlines the corporate giving process for small and medium enterprises to maximize the impact of their donations.

Team led by program participants Eagan Notokusumo, McCormick ’25; Pavli Papadakis, SoC ’23; Julie Park, Weinberg/Feinberg ’25; & Austine Omondi, McCormick ’26.

Spherical

Spherical is an engaging mobile app that helps users make meaningful connections and continue the momentum to build stronger networks.

Team led by program participants Tanjeria Crite, Kellogg ’24 & Upashruti Agrawal, Kellogg ’24.

SPLIT

SPLIT provides college students with cheap rides to the airport by grouping those traveling at similar times.

Team led by program participants Grayson Donnelly, McCormick ’25 & John Hileman, McCormick/Weinberg ’26.

Vaulterra

Vaulterra is a carbon offset project developer dedicated to the removal of atmospheric CO2 through Enhanced Rock Weathering techniques in agriculture.

Team led by program participants Patrick Giavelli, McCormick ’24 & Kallie Mingay, McCormick ’24.

Frequently asked Questions

When do I receive my award?

Do I need a co-founder?

How much time do I need to spend at The Garage?

What stage should my startup be in to apply for Jumpstart?

Can I also work part-time/take on an internship while participating in Jumpstart?

What is the programming and schedule like?

Do you have to be a Resident of The Garage to apply?

How can I use my award?

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