The Garage x Weinberg

The Garage is a community and physical space for every Northwestern student interested in entrepreneurship to learn, iterate, and grow. We offer students resources, programming, and mentorship designed to help build the skills and entrepreneurial mindset they need to succeed in any industry.

Students from across the University bring a wide range of diverse academic and personal experiences that enrich the entrepreneurial environment at The Garage through exposure to new ideas, ways of thinking and skill sets.

In spring 2021, there are 70 Weinberg students participating in programs at The Garage, working on projects ranging from Authentic Media Ascension, a digital media growth agency to Acorn Genetics, a startup focused on creating genetic testing kits that respect their users’ privacy, to the Unite Passion Project, an online speaker series empowering students in Tanzania to reach their full potential. Below are a few student stories.

Kate Conner, Weinberg ’22

Kate is a participant in The Garage’s Residency program. She is also a participant in the Winter 2021 cohort of The Garage’s revolutionary leadership development program for student founders, X-Factor.

Major: Physics

Project / Company: Acorn Genetics is a startup focused on creating genetic testing kits that respect their users’ privacy.

  • The Garage has been a great resource to access needed startup material. The people in The Garage have been particularly involved with helping aid Acorn Genetics, the startup I am heavily involved in.” 

Jihad Esmail, Weinberg ’21

Jihad is a participant in The Garage’s Residency program. He was also a participant in the inaugural cohort of The Garage’s revolutionary leadership development program for student founders, X-Factor. He also pitched alongside his co-founder as a Semifinalist at VentureCat 2020.

Major: Economics
Minor: Entrepreneurship

Project / Company: Authentic Media Ascension (AMA) propels the next generation of brands through growth analytics and digital strategy.

  • “The Garage is hands-down my favorite community at Northwestern. Being able to build relationships (and companies) with like-minded individuals – and the opportunity to grow in cohorts like X Factor – has prepared me so much for post-grad life.”

Yasmeena Faycurry, Weinberg ’22

Yasmeena is a participant in The Garage’s Residency program, incubating her startup Unfound. She was also a member of the 2019-20 Propel cohort and participated in The Garage’s pre-accelerator program, Jumpstart. Yasmeena also provides peer-to-peer mentorship to other students by offering Office Hours through The Garage.

Major: Economics
Minor: Entrepreneurship

Project / Company: Unfound is a mobile app to discover unique places and share the ones you love.

  • “Propel has connected me to a wonderful community of passionate female entrepreneurs to grow with and learn from.”

Adala Makhulo, Weinberg ’23

Adala is a Psychology and Radio/Television/Film double major and a Resident at The Garage incubating her media startup based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Major: Psychology, Radio / Television / Film

Project / Company: 3 Point Productions is a film production company based in Nairobi, Kenya that creates engaging content for the youth, by the youth in which they are represented.

  • “The Garage has been so helpful in allowing me to access resources to help scale my business. Being a Resident has allowed me to network with other Residents and get valuable input and assistance on my idea, as well as learn about others’ startups. The community support is phenomenal and it is clear that everyone wants to help you in whatever capacity they can.”

Mateo Price, Weinberg ’21

Mateo is a participant in The Garage’s Residency program and was a member of the inaugural X-Factor cohort, The Garage’s revolutionary leadership development program for student founders. Mateo also pitched alongside his co-founder as a Semifinalist at VentureCat 2020. He provides peer-to-peer mentorship to other students by offering Office Hours through The Garage.

Major: Economics, Psychology

Project / Company: Authentic Media Ascension (AMA) propels the next generation of brands through growth analytics and digital strategy.

  • “My experience with The Garage has been a core part of my college experience at Northwestern. Between meeting new people through the X-Factor program and having the space to turn my passion project from idea to a successful business, I really found a community and environment open to all.”

Lila Wells, Weinberg ’23

Lila is a participant in The Garage’s Tinker program, incubating her nonprofit entrepreneurial project. She is also a participant in the Propel program winter 2021 cohort.

Major: Sociology, Legal Studies

Project / Company: Unite Passion Project is an online speaker series empowering students in Tanzania to reach their full potential.

  • “I’ve absolutely loved being a part of both the Propel and Tinker Programs through The Garage. As someone who began her relationship with social entrepreneurship, the support from students and mentors alike have truly empowered both my startup, The Unite Passion Project, and I, to be the best versions of ourselves possible.”

The Garage x Weinberg News

Adala Makhulo, Weinberg ’23 + Elam Blackwell, Weinberg ’23 featured in Opportunity Fund Update

Robbie Waxman, Weinberg ’23 selected as Little Joe Ventures Fellow

Founder Spotlight: Sarah Ahmad, McCormick + Weinberg ’18

Mission driven company panel featuring Natasha Ramanujam, Weinberg ’15

Student Spotlight: Mateo Price, Weinberg ’21

Daniel Mitrani (Weinberg ’18) and his experience founding a company at The Garage

Questions?

Email us at thegarage@northwestern.edu