Summary:
In this episode of “Stories from the LionCage,” Kelli interviews Niklas, a sophomore at Penn State and co-founder of SlammedU. Niklas shares insights into his startup, which helps incoming freshmen find friends and roommates through Instagram community pages. He discusses his experience in pitch competitions, including winning first place at IncU, and how the prize money is being used to grow the business. Niklas emphasizes the importance of public speaking, practice, and receiving honest feedback in preparing for competitions.
Takeaways:
- SlammedU operates Instagram pages for 106 schools, helping students connect before arriving on campus.
- Niklas won $15,000 in a pitch competition, which is being used to verify Instagram pages, hire a full-time developer, and secure office space.
- Practicing public speaking and receiving critical feedback are key to successful pitch preparation.
- Participating in competitions provides valuable experience and networking opportunities, even if no funding is received.
Chapters:
- 00:00 Introduction to SlammedU
- 01:15 Winning the IncU Pitch Competition
- 03:20 Preparing for Pitch Competitions
- 05:26 Using Prize Money for Growth
- 06:31 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Connect with Niklas
Keywords:
SlammedU, Penn State, entrepreneurship, pitch competition, startup, social networking, community building
