Course Description

iScholars is a summer internship program in the National Capital region that engages students in innovative and entrepreneurial work. The spring iScholars onboarding course will prepare students for the experience using the Startupland curriculum, team-based activities and guest experts.

Having successfully completed this course, students will be able to:

1) define and model characteristics and practices of a successful innovator and entrepreneur

2) apply the skills of a motivated and professional intern

3) articulate personal and professional goals for the iScholars summer experience

4) function well as a learning cohort primed to support each other through the summer

5) make Virginia Tech proud as iScholars working for our corporate partners in the NCR or elsewhere

The Startupland Experience Mission:

Startupland is truly an accelerator experience on the screen, and we know that there are many entrepreneurs beginning their journeys right at this moment. We have produced the Startupland documentary series and designed this course to be paired with it. We are driven by the idea of helping others along this journey, while inspiring others to begin.

We set out to educate and empower the innovators and entrepreneurs and reach the world-changers out there to help them succeed and thrive. The primary goal of the Startupland course is to help participants explore content in order to develop a strategy for becoming a startup entrepreneur.

The course is designed with the assumption that its learners are or have the ability to be goal oriented, internally motivated, appreciate respect, and can reflect on their own life experiences or relate to the experience of others to expand their knowledge of startup entrepreneurship.

Lisa D. McNair and Aaron Burdette

Lisa D. McNair is an Associate Professor of Engineering Education at Virginia Tech, co-Director of the VT Engineering Communication Center (VTECC), a Catalyst Faculty Leader at the Institute for Creativity, Arts and Technology (ICAT), and a Provost's Pathways Scholar. Her degrees include a PhD from the University of Chicago in Linguistics, and an M.A. and B.A. in English from the University of Georgia. She is currently involved in developing an integrative Pathways Minor in Innovation, working across several colleges at Virginia Tech in the Provost's new general education initiative. Her projects supported by the National Science Foundation include exploring disciplines as cultures, interdisciplinary pedagogy for pervasive computing design; writing-to- learn in Statics courses; as well as a CAREER award to explore the use of e-portfolios to promote holistic professional identity and reflective practice. Her teaching emphasizes the roles of engineers as communicators and educators, the foundations and evolution of the engineering education discipline, assessment methods, and using linguistic methods for research and teaching.Aaron Burdette is the iScholars Coordinator. Aaron holds a BSc in Applied Physics and a MSc in Biomedical engineering from Ohio University. During his undergraduate tenure, Aaron participated in multiple areas of research from Biofuel production from non-native invasive plant species, bio-digester design, wind energy analysis/verification, algae fuel production, and autoimmune disorders. Throughout his masters program, he performed work in the design, manufacturing, and utilization of microfluidic devices for studying the mechanical properties of breast cancer in use for early diagnosis. Upon completion of his studies, Aaron worked as Account Manager I for Thermo Fisher Scientific, performing research consulation and sales. From there he took his passion and experience to create his first company Nfluidus. From there he worked with multiple businesses across Appalachia to bring better resources and economic development to the region. He has a passion for working with students and driving the innovative spirit Hokies are known for. He takes a hands on approach to mentor, advise, teach, and help students develop the key skills for success. 

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Introduction

    • Welcome to Startupland

    • Startupland, A Documentary Series

    • What is your definition of a startup?

    • Jonathon Perelli: Startupland is a Compass

    • A Word to the Reader

    • About this Course & FAQs

    • Supplemental Resources
  • 2

    Startupland: The Documentary Series

    • Introduction to the Startupland Documentary Series

    • Episode 1

    • Episode 2

    • Episode 3

    • Episode 4

    • Episode 5

    • Episode 6
  • 3

    Lesson 1: What is Entrepreneurship?

    • Lesson 1 Objectives

    • Jonathon Perrelli: What is entrepreneurship?

    • Amy Millman: On The E Gene

    • Why You Do It

    • Founding Yourself: Becoming a Startup CEO

    • Taking the Plunge into Entrepreneurship

    • Casey Pugh answers the question, "What is it like being an entrepreneur?"

    • Steve Case: When I Became an Entrepreneur

    • The Most Important Question
  • 4

    Lesson 2: Setting the Stage

    • Lesson 2 Objectives

    • Jamis MacNiven: Stanford and the Valley

    • The History of Silicon Valley

    • Jonathon Perrelli: Silicon Valley and Startup Ecosystems

    • Why Tech Companies Lead the Charge

    • Tien Wong: The Rise of Global Startupland

    • ​A Quick Guide to Startup Buzzwords & Terminology

    • Lesson 2 Knowledge Check
  • 5

    Lesson 3: What Resources Exist?

    • Lesson 3 Objectives

    • Startup Resources and Programs

    • Jonathon Perrelli: Leaving the Kitchen Table

    • Startup Weekend and the Benefits of Hackathons

    • James Quigley: Collisions Foster Faster Growth

    • Accelerators: What to Know

    • Mike Bott: Choosing an Accelerator

    • Lesson 3 Knowledge Check
  • 6

    Lesson 4: Starting Up

    • Lesson 4 Objectives

    • Capital for your Business

    • Tim O'Shaughnessy: Don't Raise Before You Are Ready

    • Bootstrapping

    • Esther Dyson: Customer Funding

    • The Value of Customers

    • Jonathon Perrelli: Being Resourceful

    • Lesson 4 Knowledge Check
  • 7

    Lesson 5: Leadership as a Founder

    • Lesson 5 Objectives

    • Steve Case: All You Need to Get Started

    • What it Takes to be a Leader

    • Allie Armitage: Critical Qualities in Leadership

    • Strategic Vision and Planning

    • Steve Case: The Vision of AOL

    • Coping with Negativity

    • The Need for Focus

    • Jonathon Perrelli: The Need for Focus

    • Allie Armitage: The Importance of Self Care

    • Allie Armitage: Do Nothing for Two Minutes

    • Lesson 5 Knowledge Check
  • 8

    Lesson 6: Leadership & Building a Team

    • Lesson 6 Objectives

    • Co-Founding Vs. Going Alone

    • The Founding Team

    • Tim O'Shaughnessy: Co-Founder vs. Employee

    • Building the Initial Team

    • Interview Methods

    • Jonathon Perrelli: Interview Style

    • The importance of Mentorship

    • Michael Chasen: One Mentor Isn't Enough

    • Kathy Penny: The Importance of Culture

    • Tim O'Shaughnessy: Creating a Culture

    • Allie Armitage: Leading with Values

    • Lesson 6 Knowledge Check
  • 9

    Lesson 7: Relationships and Ecosystems

    • Lesson 7 Objectives

    • Be a Relationship Builder

    • Carolyn Micheli: Events, Ecosystems, and Giving Back

    • Networking for Founders

    • ​Industry Participation

    • Tim Schigel: Follow Up With People Who Help You

    • Jonathon Perrelli: First Customers are Important

    • Lesson 7 Knowledge Check
  • 10

    Lesson 8: Building and Designing the Product

    • Lesson 8 Objectives

    • Rob Lawson-Shanks: Defining your Audience

    • Optimizing for the Platform

    • Avoiding Feature Creep

    • Rob Lawson-Shanks: "Overengineering"

    • Buy vs. Build

    • Casey Pugh: Fake It 'til You Make It and Prioritizing

    • What is the User Experience?

    • Rob Lawson-Shanks: Design Test Loop

    • The User vs. The Product

    • Your Personal Experience

    • Lesson 8 Knowledge Check
  • 11

    Lesson 9: Brand, Marketing and Growing the Business

    • Lesson 9 Objectives

    • What is a Brand?

    • Jonathon Perrelli: Naming the Product

    • Telling Your Story

    • Jonathon Perrelli: Trademark and Domain

    • Maxim Wheatley: Ineffective Branding

    • Paul Singh: How Growth Differs for a Tech Company

    • Growth Hacking

    • Tim O'Shaughnessy: Explosive Growth

    • Jonathon Perrelli: How to Utilize Strategic Partners

    • Lesson 9 Knowledge Check
  • 12

    Lesson 10: Running Your Business

    • Lesson 10 Objectives

    • Esther Dyson: It's Not Fun

    • Tactical Execution

    • Jonathon Perrelli: Culture of Accountability

    • Project Management for Startups

    • Jonathon Perrelli: Turning Over Responsibilities

    • Delegation as a Founder

    • Lesson 10 Knowledge Check
  • 13

    Lesson 11: Fundraising

    • Lesson 11 Objectives

    • Angel Investors

    • Esther Dyson: What is an Angel Investor?

    • Intro to Venture Capital

    • The Penguin Effect: Getting a Lead Investor

    • Perfecting the Pitch

    • 60 Second Elevator Pitch

    • Lesson 11 Knowledge Check
  • 14

    Lesson 12: Exit, Failure, or Moving On

    • Lesson 12 Objectives

    • Mike Ward: What Makes Your Company Attractive to a Buyer

    • Knowing When to Quit

    • Tim O'Shaughnessy: Failing and Moving On

    • Steve Case: The Challenge Makes You Stronger
  • 15

    Wrapping Up

    • Closing Comments from Jonathon Perrelli

    • Course Evaluation and Feedback