Summer Springboard
Business Startup Bootcamp
ACADEMIC COURSE
GAIN VALUABLE INSIGHTS INTO THE BUSINESS WORLD WHILE LEARNING DIRECTLY FROM FOSTER SCHOOL FACULTY IN THEIR STATE-OF-THE-ART BUSINESS SCHOOL FACILITIES
Course Highlights
- Work in small teams with other entrepreneurial-minded students to design and launch a product-based startup in one week.
- Apply frameworks for ideation, iteration, and identifying unmet marketplace needs while gaining a foundation in market research fundamentals.
- Learn to ask insightful questions that reveal what drives customers, evaluate business ideas, and understand what investors look for when assessing startup profitability.
- Develop essential public speaking, sales, and negotiation skills through opportunities to pitch ideas to fellow students and business professionals.
- Build prototypes and visit UW’s makerspaces, experiencing firsthand why the university is recognized as a leading startup hub.
- Learn from UW Foster School faculty with real-world startup experience and successful Seattle entrepreneurs, gaining practical business skills that enhance college applications and future career prospects while experiencing campus life at the University of Washington.
Summer Springboard
Business Startup Bootcamp
Course Overview
Gain hands-on experience in what it takes to be a startup founder in this intensive one-week bootcamp at UW Foster School of Business. Working in teams, you’ll apply design thinking principles to develop innovative product ideas, conduct market validation, create business strategies and build prototypes. Inspired by UW Foster’s undergraduate entrepreneurship curriculum, this program immerses you in the real challenges and excitement of launching a startup.
The week blends classroom instruction with practical application and insights from Seattle’s vibrant startup ecosystem. Learn essential business fundamentals from UW Foster faculty and industry experts, then immediately apply those concepts through prototyping, strategy sessions and team collaboration. The program culminates in a pitch competition where you’ll present your startup concept to a panel of judges, followed by an awards and certificate ceremony celebrating your achievements. Whether you’re exploring entrepreneurship for the first time or building skills that set you apart for college and beyond, this bootcamp provides the experience and confidence to turn ideas into action.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Outcome #1
Apply design thinking methods to generate and validate business ideas through research, customer feedback, and analysis.
Outcome #2
Develop comprehensive business strategies including market positioning, competitive analysis, operational considerations, and pitch development.
Outcome #3
Create and deliver persuasive presentations that effectively communicate business concepts and demonstrate prototypes to stakeholders.
Outcome #4
Collaborate effectively in teams by leveraging diverse strengths, managing shared responsibilities and working toward your team’s entrepreneurial goals.
