Jake Joraanstad’s been chewing on the idea for Emerging University for about 4 years, ever since he saw so many shortcomings during his own time as a college student. He saw how difficult it was to land an actual job without work experience or internships – and not every student was able to get that.

So he came up with an idea. Sort of a hybrid between a boot camp and a college experience; a program that would allow students to get a degree within a company where they’d like to eventually work. He called it, at first, Company University.

“I wrote a whole document on it and actually passed it around for people to give their ideas,” Joraanstad said. His colleagues liked it. But the business model grew complicated, not to mention Joraanstad went on to found his own company – Myriad Mobile – and became quite busy. The idea never really saw the light.

That is, until about a week and a half ago, when Startup Weekend rolled around.

“I figured I better get it out somehow,” Joraanstad said. “So Startup Weekend was the perfect place to do that.”

The Pitch

Now, the idea was a bit more refined. Emerging University, Joraanstad said in his pitch, would look something like this: a two-year program, in which students would take classes part time, and work part time. It would be hosted in partnership with certain companies, focusing – at least for now- solely on tech; so if you wanted to work for Google, for example, you could be a part of the Google program. Same for Microsoft, Apple, etc.

Students would graduate with an accredited degree, but also, if successful, would be able to transition smoothly into a position at the company, making it a win-win for both parties.

As CEO at Myriad, Joraanstad said, he’s seen how the hiring process works in reality – and it’s not based on merit. If applicants don’t have experience with mobile development, they don’t even make it past the resume phase.

“Emerging University would solve the problem and say look at all the work I’ve done over the past 2 years while in school,” he said. “I literally helped Microsoft build this or I helped Google build that. That is the stuff employers need to see to really make a difference.”

The Validation

The idea hit home. Joraanstad quickly had a team of six, all never having worked together before. Over the course of the weekend they turned an idea, started so many years ago by passing around a sheet of paper, into something tangible. They created a website (that’s pretty snazzy) a Facebook page and a Twitter. And they set out for one of the most important parts of the startup process: validation.

What they found was what Joraanstad later called “one of the greatest moments of the whole weekend.”

Students, moms of students, and employers all recognized the problem, and showed support for the idea. The team even made a video of their interviews, which you can watch here.

“Being happily employed is different than simply getting a job,” said Kelly Meyer, a mother of three college kids. “I would love to know there was a way to give my child that opportunity.”

Alex Kleven, a college freshman, also agreed – most students go to college to get jobs.

“You can’t learn anything without the experience,” he said. “I’m at college for a resume builder more than I am for the piece of paper.”

On the other side of things, employers – especially within the tech field, where the talent pools are limited – were intrigued by the idea. The Emerging University team spoke with Tim Brookins from Microsoft and David Batchellor from Appareo Systems, and both said if this program existed, they would be highly interested.

“I think it’s an audacious and interesting thing,” Batchellor said. “But we’re exactly the kind of company that would be very interested in participating in something like Emerging University.”

The Hope & Dream

It hit home with the judges too, after Joraanstad presented their final work on Sunday evening. He and his team took home second place.

But what really impressed him, Joraanstad said, was the response after the presentation. Audience members, asking more about the idea. Teachers, offering their assistance. Even the dean of a local college said they would be interested as well, Joraanstad said.

“We’re getting good traction,” he said.

Now, he and his team are planning to meet-up and discuss next steps.

“We have the business model and the concepts figured out. In my mind, that’s what we need right now to make this thing move forward,” Joraanstad said. “What I’m doing is I’m asking for some introduction to some investors, I’m looking at having out team look at grant applications.”

If they can’t get the funding they need, Joraanstad said, they might have to put the idea on hold once again.

“But,” he added, “It depends on what happens next in regards to, are people interested in hearing us out, and a larger scale where real dollars are involved.”

As for he and the team, they are still committed to seeing Emerging University become a reality.

“My ultimate goal is that we launch this thing and it happens,” he said. “We get an investment by a large well-known company, and we literally do a pilot program and get 50 students to do it. That’s my hope and dream.”

 

Learn more about Emerging University here!

Photos courtesy of John Machacek and Zach Davis Photography.