View Previous Years: 2015/16
Computer Science Entrepreneurial Capstone at the University of Colorado Boulder
Learn More

About

Learn more about the Capstone

The Goal of the Capstone is to provide Computer Science students with the tools to be successful technical co-founders of their own startups. We will explore the initial stages of founding a startup, including team formation, idea validation, pivoting and pitching, while employing an iterative methodology. Student teams will develop a minimum viable product, pitch their final startup concept, and be evaluated on product/market fit.

Feel free to reach out to students from the 2016-2017 school year with any questions! [email protected] | [email protected]

Achievements

Accomplishments from the companies in the Capstone this year

New Venture Challenge

Out of a total of twenty teams competing within the IT track semi-finals and finals, four of our teams placed in the NVC and were awarded $5,000 to use to further their companies.

Revenue Generating

Some companies were focused on non-revenue generating ideas, while others made money. One company created in the Capstone brought in over $2,000 in revenue.

Computer Science Senior Expo

Best Poster: 1st - The Grower, 2nd - Crawlr
Best Demo: 2nd - StuffSanity
Best Technical Communication: 2nd - Almond

Catalyze CU

Glimpse has been accepted to the equity free Catalyze CU Accelerator program.

Companies

Companies that have been started in the Capstone

Almond

In-person On-demand Tutoring

Clouby

Clouby makes educational kid friendly games that kids don’t realize are educational.

Crawlr

Crawlr is your personal guide to the best possible adventures near you! Whether it be going out with friends or planning a date night, Crawlr has your back.

DIY Defense

Furn

On-demand buddy and truck to move furniture

Glimpse

A global social adventure

Ommake

An integrated platform for home builders and remodelers struggling with organization and scheduling.

ShirtKarate

Data Driven Merchandise

Stuff Sanity

Defeat your clutter and find the best deals on the stuff you want

TheGrower.io

Remote Monitoring and Automation for Hobbyist Indoor Growers

WisePool

Crowd-sourced Education Platform

Time Line

Rough layout of the 2016-2107 year long capstone

  • August

    Form Teams

    Within the first few weeks of class, students pitch ideas to each other and with the goal of forming teams. Some students come to class with multiple ideas, while others come with just one. Students self select there teams, however students may switch of leave teams throughout the year.

  • September - October

    Idea Validation

    Once students form teams, they are taught to go out and validate there ideas. Students are encouraged not to build products or MVPs. Students go through the steps of learning how to validate not only idea/market fit, but founder/market fit. The thought of idea validation is present through the Capstone.

  • November - December

    MVP Creation & Pitch Practice

    Now that students have validated there ideas, they are encouraged to create MVPs to test the assumptions that they have made about their business. They also learn and practice how to present there business to others. At the end of the first semester they present to a group of industry professionals from all across Boulder.

  • January - March

    Ramping Up

    Students spend the seconds semester building out their products. To assist in this numerous industry professionals are brought in to teach about marketing, tax law, intellectual property, scaling, hiring, and more. Throughout the semester students practice their pitches in preparation of the CU NVC.

  • Learn
    More

Instructors

Professor Rick Han

Associate Professor - Department of Computer Science

Zach Nies

VP of Education - Techstars