Today's Entrepreneur: Ashu Desai

Mitos Suson · May 15, 2015 · Short URL: https://vator.tv/n/3dbe

No. 1 Mistake: Not asking for help

Today's Entrepreneur is Ashu Desai, founder of Make SchoolMake School is building a university replacement for computer science. It empower students to build and ship products. They are building the college experience they wished existed, one where their students love coming to school every day and are passionate about their work.

Desai started building products in high school, initially an iPhone app that sold 50k copies. In college he built bluetooth accessories for the iPhone. He dropped out of college to found Make School and build the college experience he wished existed.

Make School self-categorizes itself in education. 

Here's a little about Desai: 

I am a(n): Entrepreneur

Companies I've founded or co-founded: Make School

If you are an entrepreneur, why?: I want to invent something cool.

My favorite startups: Airbnb, Warby Parker, Tilt, Slack, Lyft, Snapchat

What's most frustrating and rewarding about entrepreneurship/innovation?

The most rewarding thing about entrepreneurship is being able to choose the people you work with. I'm a strong believer in the adage "you are the average of your five best friends" so it's incredibly rewarding for me to be able to spend every day with people who inspire and teach me.

What's the No. 1 mistake entrepreneurs make?:

Not asking for help. Entrepreneurs often fall into the me against the world mentality and worry sharing their problems will show weakness. People are incredibly social learners, the best way to find solutions to your problems is asking others and collecting unique perspectives.

What are the top three lessons you've learned as an entrepreneur?

1. Do things that don't scale. You need to be willing to try any and all potential solutions to problems you're facing. Be sure not to dismiss ideas because of your own psychological blockades.

2. Stay frugal. Building a culture of frugality into your company can be the difference between running out of money or staying afloat until your next fundraising round or next deal close. It's easy to lose track of spending if you're not careful.

3. Stay focused. The best startups are laser focused on a single product and single growth metric. While new ideas, products and opportunities look appealing, the cost of splitting focus often kills startups. 

 

*Want to be included in our Today's Entrepreneur series? Email me: mitos@vator.tv
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Mitos Suson

I produce Vator Events and enjoy the challenge. I am learning and growing a lot, being involved with Vator and loving every moment of it!

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Make School

Startup/Business

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Make School is building a university replacement for computer science.

The program spans 2 years, divided by a 6 month internship at a tech startup. Students learn the CS theory covered by traditional universities paired with the practical experience of building and shipping products and soft skills such as ethics, storytelling and interpersonal communication.

Students network with successful founders and developers throughout the program, and are placed at a tech startup upon graduating. The program has no up front cost, students pay tuition through internship and post-grad job earnings.

Our pilot class kicked off last September with 11 students, two chose Make School over MIT. They shipped apps like Stitch News and Refuge Restrooms (featured in Huffington Post and Buzzfeed) and received offers from Snapchat, Pandora, Edmodo, Dailymotion, Dr. Chrono and more.

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Ashu Desai

Joined Vator on

I started building products in high school, initially an iPhone app that sold 50k copies. In college I built bluetooth accessories for the iPhone. I dropped out of college to found Make School and build the college experience I wished existed.