This is the second article in a series highlighting the Spring 2024 VentureOn teams. In this article, we'll delve into teams that focus on ventures related to education and technology. VentureOn provides students with a platform to address different challenges, problem solve, and foster interdisciplinary exploration. Through this approach, students develop creative solutions with real-world impact, enhancing collaboration and preparing them to tackle complex problems confidently.
VentureOn Spring 2024’s Education and Technology
Venture: CompSciLib
Problem they wish to solve: CompSciLib aims to address a significant problem that includes the proliferation of technology majors and the expansion of class sizes, students are encountering greater challenges in accessing support for demanding courses like Discrete Math and Computer Architecture. As traditional resources such as tutors and teaching assistants become scarcer, the need for innovative solutions to provide comprehensive assistance in these areas becomes more pressing.
Why did they choose the problem they are working to solve: Their decision to address this issue and solve it based on their firsthand experience as former tutors. Witnessing numerous students withdraw from courses or switch majors due to the scarcity of tutoring resources and theoretical support highlighted the critical gap in the computer science education technology sector. By the CompSciLib team members recognizing that existing resources primarily focus on programming. They aimed to develop a comprehensive platform to streamline every aspect of the computer science journey, beginning with tackling the most challenging courses within the major. Their goal is to empower students with the tools and assistance they need to succeed in their education journey.
Where are they in their startup process/what progress have they made so far?: In their startup process, they have made significant strides since their launch in early 2022. With over 250K unique website visitors and a thriving social following/community of over 60K, their platform has experienced remarkable growth, surpassing their initial expectations despite starting as a small side project. Their continuous development efforts focus on expanding their user base and enhancing their platform to provide even greater value to their growing community of users.
Therefore, CompSciLib aims to address the increasing demand for resources in challenging computer science courses such as Discrete Math and Computer Architecture. Co-founded by former tutors who witnessed students struggling due to limited support, the platform seeks to fill a gap in the CS ed-tech market by offering comprehensive assistance beyond programming. Since its launch in early 2022, CompSciLib has garnered over 250K unique website visitors and built a social following and a community of over 60K, marking significant growth from its humble beginnings as a side project.
Venture: Assistive Tek
Problem they wish to solve: Assistive Tek aims to address a significant societal need within the educational toy industry by fostering social connections between children and those with disabilities. Recognizing the importance of this issue in today's world, they are committed to developing an innovative device through prototyping, their Minimum Viable Product (MVP), to provide an affordable and meaningful solution. Their goal is to ensure that children aged 3 and above have access to a device that not only enriches their play experiences but also facilitates inclusive interactions and friendships.
Why did they choose the problem they are working to solve: Their decision to tackle this particular challenge stems from our ongoing progress and dedication to creating an impactful startup venture. As participants in the Startup experience 1 and 2 classes, our team is committed to establishing a meaningful business venture akin to the one we are currently undertaking. We believe that VentureOn offers invaluable support at this crucial stage of our business launch, with its 24/7 access and resources poised to significantly enhance our project's growth potential, propelling it towards greater success.
Where are they in their startup process/what progress have they made so far?: Currently, we are in the phase of refining our Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and actively seeking parents and individuals with disabilities to participate in our problem and solution interviews. Through these interactions, we aim to gather interactive feedback and insights from individuals experienced with toys, devices, and related solutions. This iterative process will enable us to evolve our initial creative idea into a more impactful solution, driving meaningful change in our target community.
Assistive Tek aims to address the need for social connections between children and those with disabilities in the educational toy industry. Their MVP focuses on creating an affordable device to foster these connections among children aged 3 and above. The team, also enrolled in Startup eXperience courses, sees their venture as an impactful startup project, and believes that VentureOn's 24/7 access can greatly aid their growth. Currently, they are refining their MVP and conducting interviews with parents and individuals with disabilities to gather feedback and enhance their innovative concept.
We express our sincere gratitude to the teams, CompSciLib, Assistive Tek, QuickQuestion, StudySync, EasyDev, and Relief Chronic Care, for their participation. We deeply appreciate each team for contributing their entrepreneurial passion and creative abilities to the event.
Benefits of education and technology:
The integration of education and technology offers a multitude benefits to learners worldwide. By leveraging technology, education becomes more accessible, allowing individuals to pursue learning opportunities regardless of geographical constraints. Additionally, technology enabled personalized learning experiences, catering to diverse learning styles and needs, thereby enhancing engagement and retention. Moreover, collaborative tools and digital platforms foster interactive learning environments, promoting collaboration, critical thinking, and communication skills essential for success in the modern workforce.
The VentureOn program, is a semester-long initiative that requires students to apply for participation, offers a platform for students to explore and validate problems while crafting viable solutions within their areas of interest. This semester, the program witnessed a remarkable increase in applicants, forming numerous teams representing various domains, from social issues to business ventures and product concepts. Among the ventures, CompSciLib aims to address the rising demand for resources in challenging computer science courses, while Assistive Tek focuses on fostering social connections among children with disabilities through innovative toys. Additionally, CompSciLib, Assistive Tek, QuickQuestion, StudySync, EasyDev, and Relief Chronic Care contributed to the program in depth with their unique inputs and participation.
Through VentureOn, students engage in interdisciplinary exploration, developing creative solutions with real-world impact. This integration of education and technology not only enhances access to learning but also fosters personalized experiences and collaborative environments, preparing students for success in the modern workforce.
About Horn Entrepreneurship
At the University of Delaware, Horn Entrepreneurship stands as the driving force for fostering entrepreneurship, education, and progress. Currently ranked among the best entrepreneurship programs in the US, Horn Entrepreneurship has been established and is actively championed by accomplished entrepreneurs. This support empowers aspiring innovators as they embark on the journey of exploring new ideas for a brighter and more impactful world.
