This program is teaching entrepreneurship 3 days at a time

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In an innovative environment like the classroom, students often get great ideas. But, they may not know what to do with a good idea after they have it. That’s the gap 3 Day Startup (3DS) is trying to bridge.

 

3DS is a nonprofit organization aimed at helping student-run companies get off the ground. Students  begin the program with an idea. They leave, three days later, with a proof of concept and a company pitch – along with a healthy dose of education.

 

The idea for 3DS came from University of Texas students who were frustrated by the way universities teach entrepreneurship. 

 

“Professors teach this great stuff, but we felt like the lessons we were learning weren’t really connecting,” Maia Donohue said. “It was like taking a painting class where you never touched paint.” 

 

The program started in 2008, and has been growing fast ever since. Today, 3DS works with 60 schools in 18 countries, across five continents. So far 3DS alumni have launched at least 79 companies, and raised over $49 million in funding. In order for 3DS to even count a startup as a 'company,' the startup must prove they have a significant base of customers. They must also either go through a prestigious accelerator or demonstrate significant funding.

 

3DS is truly global. They work in places like Ghana, Doha, and Chile; and that gives them a unique outlook on entrepreneurship. While a student at the University of Texas might have one set of hurdles when creating a company, a student at Thammasat University in Bangkok is likely to have their own unique set of hurdles.

 

“Doing the program globally gives us a really interesting view of entrepreneurship and risk taking around the world,” Donohue said.

 

Bringing together alumni and entrepreneurs from all over the globe, 3DS will be hosting a Global Roundup later this month. The event will happen simultaneously in Porto, Portugal and here in Austin. If you're interested in meeting a global cast of entrepreneurs, you can find details here.