A Transformative Journey: Northeastern University’s Entrepreneurship Boot Camp

Location and Purpose
In just five days at Northeastern University in London, participants transformed blank sheets of paper into viable business ideas, complete with seed funding. The Entrepreneurship Boot Camp offered students hands-on coaching and tutorials, equipping them with the resources to start a business from scratch. By the week’s end, students had the opportunity to pitch their finalized proposals to a panel of experienced business coaches and university career staff.

Realizing Potential
Dawid Szczur, a second-year student pursuing a dual degree in computer science and business, entered the boot camp with no clear idea of what to expect. “Not in the slightest,” he recalls when asked about a startup idea prior to the camp. Utilizing an innovative business model canvas, Szczur quickly evolved his nebulous thoughts into a concrete proposal—an educational tool designed to help users navigate learning resources on any given topic.

The Final Pitch
The culmination of the boot camp was a pitching session where participants presented their ideas to a judging panel. Tommy Scanlon, currently pursuing a master’s degree in philosophy and AI, emerged as the winner. His proposal for a socially-driven platform—working independently of advertising—secured £2,000 ($2,700) in seed funding. “It’s essentially a healthier version of Facebook,” Scanlon explains, focusing on social media ethics he studies academically.

Building Confidence
For Scanlon, the boot camp was not just about capturing funding; it was a crucial stepping stone for refining his platform concept. He appreciated the structured environment that allowed him to identify potential user segments and strategize approaches for investor engagement. “It was about taking the time to flesh out the actual practical aspects of what such a venture would entail,” he notes, emphasizing the importance of clarity in communication and planning.

Guidance from Experts
Paul Sturrock, one of the boot camp’s business coaches, shared his insights from nearly 25 years as an entrepreneur. He was impressed by the motivation displayed by the Northeastern students, highlighting the boot camp’s aim to foster a self-driven mindset. “It’s about saying, ‘I can create my own brief, my own mission, and I’ve got enough confidence and knowledge of best practices to make it happen,’” Sturrock remarks.

Diverse Ideas Take Shape
Other participants also left their mark during the boot camp. Priyanshu Pareta proposed “Match Mate AI,” an innovative concept harnessing artificial intelligence to connect like-minded individuals. With guidance from advisers, he was able to refine his idea by focusing on a specific target audience—a transformative shift enabled by the boot camp experience.

Andrea Larsen, a recent law and psychology graduate from Denmark, introduced “Local City.” Her app aims to connect tourists with local businesses, enhancing their travel experiences while supporting small enterprises in urban settings. “The idea is you get to support small businesses while you’re traveling,” she explains, advocating for more authentic tourist experiences.

The Road Ahead
Although the winners are excited about their respective journeys toward potential startup success, their immediate focus remains on completing current academic commitments. “Thinking about how to invest my winnings is on the back burner until after September,” Scanlon admits, but his enthusiasm for future possibilities is palpable.

The Northeastern Entrepreneurship Boot Camp not only birthed innovative ideas but also fostered a sense of community and collaboration among aspiring entrepreneurs. Each participant walked away with newfound skills, insights, and connections, ready to take their individual paths toward innovation and impact.