Meet Tim Draper and the remarkable students of Draper University, now visible live on your screen. As the world evolves rapidly, so do our educational needs. Draper University offers a modern, hands-on approach to entrepreneurship designed for today’s fast-moving marketplace.
Venture capitalist Tim Draper and a select group of emerging entrepreneurs bring a fresh model of learning, mentoring and real-world testing. The program was introduced to a broad audience with a televised series that premiered Tuesday, August 11, 2015, showcasing Draper’s intensive, seven-week curriculum and the high-pressure environment that forges startup founders.
The series, titled Startup U, follows a cohort of entrepreneurial millennials during a semester at Draper University in Silicon Valley. Under Tim Draper’s leadership and guided by experienced industry mentors, students learn the fundamentals of launching a startup—product development, fundraising, marketing and pitch strategy. The season culminates with student teams presenting to a panel of venture capitalists for the chance to secure life-changing investment.
Draper University
Founded by Tim Draper, Draper University was established to teach entrepreneurial skills and cultivate a new generation of innovators and leaders. Tim Draper is a founding partner of leading venture capital firms and his portfolio has included well-known technology companies. Since founding the program in 2011, Draper University has helped launch dozens of student ventures, with more than 180 student ideas receiving funding totaling over $20 million.
Tim Draper remains actively involved in mentoring students and promoting a culture of innovation, risk-taking and resilience. Draper University emphasizes immersive learning, networking with industry leaders, and rapid iteration—core practices for any founder preparing to enter the competitive startup landscape.
Who runs the program at Draper University?
Charlie Taibi
Former Program Director, Draper University
Hometown: Long Island, NY
Age: 26
Charlie organized the program curriculum and guided student teams through intensive workshops and real-world challenges.
Sequoia Blodgett
Entrepreneur in Residence, Draper University
Hometown: Richmond, California
Age: 31
Sequoia mentors students while continuing to develop her own ventures, helping founders refine business models and go-to-market strategies.
Who are the students?
Erin Brady
Hometown: Portland, CT
Age: 26
Background: Former financial consultant and Miss USA 2013.
Business concept: “Romeo In A Box” — a subscription service that delivers thoughtfully timed gifts to partners and family members to prevent missed milestones.
Tony Capasso
Hometown: Hartford, CT
Age: 30
Background: Runs his family’s construction business.
Business concept: Using 3D printing to transform construction methods and deliver more affordable housing solutions.
John Frye
Hometown: Bradenton, FL
Age: 18
Background: The youngest student in the program, inspired by Apple and the Silicon Valley ecosystem.
Business concept: “StudyBetter” — an app that motivates students with financial incentives for meeting study goals and penalties for missed commitments.
Shawn Isaac
Hometown: Palm Springs, CA
Age: 25
Background: Former city commissioner and part-time musician.
Business concept: “Six Degrees” — a friend-driven matchmaking app where friends set up dates for each other instead of relying on algorithmic matches.
David Kram
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Age: 27
Background: Began trading stocks at 14 and left investment banking to pursue entrepreneurship.
Business concept: “Stonr” — a service that delivers medical cannabis to users quickly and discreetly.
Ana Marte
Hometown: New York, NY
Age: 30
Background: Entrepreneur who already owns a beauty business.
Business concept: “Nailed It” — an on-demand platform that connects customers with vetted, professional nail technicians for at-home services prioritizing safety and quality.
Carly Martinetti
Hometown: Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA
Age: 24
Background: Passionate about animals and design.
Business concept: “Pretty Litter” — a colorful cat litter that changes color when used, turning an ordinary chore into a more engaging experience for owners and pets.
Keyonna Patterson
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
Age: 30
Background: Transitioned from real estate to fashion entrepreneurship.
Business concept: “Lacher” — a clothing line mixing Victorian silhouettes with modern design for distinctive, contemporary looks.
Malcolm Tyson
Hometown: West Palm Beach, FL
Age: 26
Background: Built his first website at 14 and is committed to mastering technology.
Business concept: “Robora” — a payments platform that suggests similar or complementary products to buyers after checkout to increase discovery and sales.
Sharon Winter
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Age: 22
Background: Industrial design student focused on robotics and prototyping; an avid shoe collector and energetic promoter of her ideas.
Business concept: “Hotpoint” — a geo-based video social app that lets users explore trending, user-generated video content on an interactive map in real time.
Success story from Draper University
Alumni such as Mike Juliano have gone on to found companies like Think You Inc., creating platforms that streamline how people share contact information and connect across social networks, messaging and video communication tools. These alumni stories illustrate how Draper’s experiential approach helps founders move from idea to product, and ultimately to market traction.
Startup U and Draper University showcase an immersive model of entrepreneur education—one that blends mentorship, rigorous feedback and real investor exposure. Whether you’re an educator, edtech enthusiast or aspiring founder, the program highlights the skills, mindset and tenacity required to build startups in today’s competitive landscape.
Note: This article is not sponsored or affiliated with Draper University.