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TechDev Academy

A Silicon Valley-based Startup Company founded by young entrepreneurs and professionals from different backgrounds including education, IT, science, business administration, and marketing in 2019.

Copernicus Entrepreneurship Olympiad

A Global Competition for Young Entrepreneurs

Application Deadline: June 15, 2024

Participation: Grade 8 to 12

Date: July 22-25, 2024

Location: Stanford Campus, CA

Copernicus Entrepreneurship Olympiad

A Global Competition for Young Entrepreneurs

Application Deadline: June 15, 2024

Participation: Grade 8 to 12

Date: July 22-25, 2024

Location: Stanford Campus, CA

Bring your ideas to reality
Connect with successful entrepreneurs
Try your first startup
Innovate, learn & grow
Get mentorship from experts
Immerse yourself in the Silicon Valley ecosystem
Win $5000 to fund your idea
Connect with startups and bigtech
Gain experience pitching to investors

Learn & Compete

Join us for an entrepreneurial journey in the heart of Silicon Valley at Stanford campus.

 

Four-day event will ignite innovative spirit, connect you with global entrepreneurs, and equip you with the skills to shape the future of business.

 

From inspirational keynote speakers to hands-on workshops and a thrilling competition, this immersive experience will empower you to transform your ideas into reality.

 

Don’t miss this opportunity to network, learn, and be recognized among the brightest young minds in entrepreneurship!

We will award

 

$25,000 in total!

 

to top 5 projects, with each project receiving $5000

We will award

 

$25,000 

in total!

 

to top 5 projects, with each project receiving $5000

More Than a Competition

Drawing on the expertise and network of this renowned hub, our program brings together mentors from top companies, promising startups, and even esteemed institutions like Stanford University.

 

Prepare to be inspired, learn from industry leaders, and unlock your entrepreneurial potential in this unparalleled environment of innovation and opportunity.

Secure your spot!

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to learn from experts as Stanford University Campus and compete your idea with global students.

Highlights

Throughout the program, you'll:

Attend informative sessions, including introductions to entrepreneurship and lectures on fundamental concepts.
Learn practical skills through workshops on idea generation, validation, business modeling, market analysis, prototyping, and MVP development.
Enhance your pitching and presentation abilities.
Engage in networking sessions with experienced entrepreneurs, global students, and industry experts.
Receive expert mentoring and feedback to refine your business ideas.
Explore financial planning, funding strategies, marketing tactics, and legal considerations for entrepreneurs.
Participate in an entrepreneurship competition, showcasing your presentations and pitches.
Attend an award ceremony and gain inspiration from prominent keynote speakers.
Celebrate and network with fellow participants during a dedicated event.
Follow a well-rounded curriculum designed to empower and equip you with the tools you need to succeed.

Requirements

Eligibility Requirements

Grade Level: The competition is open to 8-12 grade students.

 

Team Size: Participants can compete individually or form teams, with a recommended team size of 2 to 4 members.

 

Prerequisites: No specific prerequisites are required, but a passion for entrepreneurship and innovative thinking is encouraged.

Registration Requirements

Registration Form: Students or teams should complete an online registration form providing their basic information, such as names, school affiliations, contact details, and grade level.

 

Consent and Permissions: If participants are under the age of 18, parental consent and permission for participation, photography, and video recording should be obtained.

Submission & Ongoing Process

Once registered, students will submit their initial idea (title) and subject area. We welcome participants from diverse categories, which may include

  • social entrepreneurship
  • technology startups
  • education and EdTech
  • sustainability and green initiatives
  • consumer products and services
  • health and wellness
  • financial technology (FinTech)
  • hospitality and tourism
  • food and agriculture
  • creative industries and media.

In addition, we will provide detailed project guidelines to help students in the selection process and ensure their success. These guidelines will cover various aspects, including idea development, market analysis, business plan creation, and presentation skills. 

From the time of registration until the event date, students will gain access to online resources, mentoring, and workshops to help them develop their ideas, refine their business plans, and enhance their presentation skills.

Along with the idea proposal, students are welcome to submit additional supporting materials, such as market research data, preliminary business plans, or concept sketches. These materials should help showcase the viability and potential of their entrepreneurial idea. Supporting materials can be provided until the pitch day.

During the event, students will participate in lectures, workshops, and mentoring sessions where they will learn more about entrepreneurship. They will receive feedback and guidance from experts and mentors to refine their ideas and presentations.

On the designated pitch day, students will present their business ideas to a panel of judges or evaluators. The panel will assess the creativity, feasibility, market potential, and innovation of the ideas and score the pitches accordingly.

An award ceremony will be held to recognize and celebrate the achievements of the participants. Winners will be announced, and prizes or accolades will be awarded to outstanding participants based on the judges’ evaluations.

Take your seat!

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to learn from experts as Stanford University Campus and compete your idea with global students.

Competition Schedule

Day 1

Morning Session

9:00-10:00 AM: Registration and Check-in 

10:00-10:15 AM: Welcome Address by Event Organizers

10:00-11:00 AM: Introduction to Entrepreneurship

10:00-11:45 AM: Keynote Speaker:

11:45 -12:00 PM:Break

Afternoon Session

12:00-1:00 PM: Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship Lecture

1:00-2:30 PM: Workshop 1: Idea Generation and Validation

2:30-4:00 PM: Workshop 2: Business Model Canvas and Market Analysis

4:30-5:30 PM: Networking Session with Entrepreneurs

Day 2

Morning Session

9:00-9:15 AM: Recap of Day 1

9:15-10:45 AM: Workshop 3: Prototyping and MVP Development

10:45 AM-12:15 PM: Workshop 4: Pitching and Presentation Skills

12:15 -1:00 PM:Break

Afternoon Session

1:00-2:30 PM: Panel Discussion: Successful Entrepreneurs’ Journey

2:30-4:00 PM: Workshop 5: Financial Planning and Funding Strategies

4:00-5:30 PM: Networking Session with Global Students

Day 3

Morning Session

9:00-11:30 AM: Practice Day: Refine Your Presentation and Pitch

11:30 AM-1:00 PM: Expert Mentoring: Receive Feedback and Guidance on Your Business Ideas

1:00 PM -2:00 PM:Lunch Break

Afternoon Session

2:00-3:30 PM: Workshop 6: Marketing and Growth Strategies

3:30-5:00 PM: Workshop 7: Legal and Ethical Considerations for Entrepreneurs

5:00-6:30 PM: Networking Session with Industry Experts

Day 4

Morning Session

9:00-11:00 AM: Final Preparation for the Competition

11:00 AM-12:30 PM: Rehearsals and Pitch Refinement

12:30 -1:30 PM:Lunch Break

Afternoon Session

1:30 -4:30 PM: Entrepreneurship Competition: Presentations

4:30 -5:30 PM: Break for Judging and Deliberation

Evening Session

5:30-6:30 PM: Award Ceremony

6:30-7:15 PM: Keynote Speaker

7:15-9:00 PM: Networking and Celebration Event

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the duration of the entrepreneurship program?

The entrepreneurship program lasts for 4 days, with a comprehensive schedule covering sessions, workshops, mentoring, and networking opportunities.

Where is the program taking place?

The program is based on the Stanford Campus, the renowned hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.

What kind of mentoring and support will be provided during the program?

Participants will have access to experienced entrepreneurs from top companies, promising startups, and esteemed institutions like Stanford University. They will receive expert mentoring and feedback throughout the program.

What topics will be covered during the workshops?

Workshops will focus on idea generation, validation, business modeling, market analysis, prototyping, MVP development, pitching and presentation skills, financial planning, funding strategies, marketing tactics, and legal considerations for entrepreneurs.

What networking opportunities are available during the program?

Networking sessions will feature experienced entrepreneurs, global students, and industry experts, providing a platform for attendees to connect, share ideas, and create potential collaborations.

How do I register for the program?

Complete the online registration form, providing your basic information, such as name, school affiliation, contact details, and grade level. Parental consent and permission may be required if you are under 18 years old.

Will there be any awards for the competition?

Yes, Olympiad Committee will allocate a total of $25,000 to the top 5 projects, with each project receiving $5,000. Additionally, partner organizations and sponsors may make separate contributions. Besides, winning projects will receive consulting support for 6 months from Synapses Ventures.

How can I submit additional supporting materials for my business idea?

Participants are welcome to submit supporting materials, such as market research data, preliminary business plans, or concept sketches, showcasing the viability and potential of their entrepreneurial ideas. Supporting materials can be provided until pitch day. Submissions will be made through our Learning Management System (LMS).

What if I don't have a business idea to present for the competition? Can I still participate?

If you’re interested in entrepreneurship but don’t yet have a specific business idea, don’t worry. The program includes sessions and workshops focused on idea generation and validation. You will receive guidance and mentorship to help you brainstorm and refine a business idea.

Are there any resources available during the preparatory phase?

Yes, registered participants will have access to exclusive online materials, regular preparatory meetings, and detailed project guidelines throughout the year to help them succeed in the program.

Is there a recommended team size for the competition?

While individuals can participate alone, it is recommended to form teams with 2 to 4 members for the competition.

How long should the pitch be?

You will have a maximum of 5 minutes (3 mins for presentation and 2mins for Q&A) to pitch your idea.

Will participants receive a certificate upon completion of the program?

Yes.

Can I put this certificate on my resume for college applications?

Yes, you can use the certificate for your resume.

Can I get a refund if I am unable to attend the program after registering?

Fully refundable with a notice of up to 2 weeks prior to the organization’s start date.

I'm participating from outside Silicon Valley; what are the necessary arrangements?

If you’re participating from outside of Silicon Valley, you will need to arrange your travel and accommodation for the duration of the program. We recommend you to book your travel and stay in advance to secure best rates and assure availability.

Are there any recommended accommodations for out-of-town participants?

While we don’t have any specific recommendations, there are plenty of nearby hotels and accommodations to choose from in Silicon Valley. Look for options within your budget and convenient for commuting to the program venue.

Are meals included as part of the program?

Lunch is provided during the program. Some nearby dining options will also be available, however dinner is not included

If I'm an international student, do you provide any sort of visa assistance for travel?

While we do not provide visa assistance directly, we can provide a letter of acceptance or invitation that can be used for visa application purposes. Please consult with the nearest embassy/consulate of your destination country for exact visa requirements.

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JOHN H. FALK

Director of the Institute for Learning Innovation and Sea Grant Professor Emeritus of Free-Choice Learning at Oregon State University

 

Dr. John H. Falk is Director of the Institute for Learning Innovation and Sea Grant Professor Emeritus of Free-Choice Learning at Oregon State University. He is a leading expert on free-choice learning; the learning that occurs when people have significant choice and control over what, where, and when they learn.

Get your syllabus

Get your syllabus

 

CHRISTINE CUNNINGHAM

Professor of Practice of Education and Engineering at Penn State University

 

Dr. Christine Cunningham is a Professor of Practice of Education and Engineering at Penn State University. Her work focuses on making engineering more relevant, accessible, and inclusive, especially for underserved and underrepresented populations. She does this by creating researched-based engineering curricula for PreK-8 children and their educators. Her book, Engineering in Elementary STEM Education, describes her groundbreaking work. Previously, Cunningham was the Founding Director of Engineering is Elementary. Cunningham has received a number of awards; in 2017 her work was recognized with the prestigious Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in Education.

 

CHRIS ROGERS

Chris Rogers Professor and Chair of Mechanical Engineering at Tufts University

 

His research interests are:

Engineering Education, Robotics, and Musical Instrument Design

 

Education

Ph., D Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University
M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University
B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University

 

Biography

Chris Rogers earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at Stanford University, where he worked with Professor John Eaton on his thesis on particle motion in a boundary layer flow. Rogers joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Tufts School of Engineering in 1989. He is involved in a number of research areas, including particle-laden flows (a continuation of his thesis), telerobotics and controls, the slurry flows in chemical-mechanical planarization, the engineering of musical instruments, measuring flame shapes of couch fires, measuring fruit-fly locomotion, and engineering education (kindergarten to college). At Tufts, Rogers has exercised his strong commitment to teaching by exploring a number of new directions, including teaching robotics with LEGO bricks and teaching manufacturing by building musical instruments. His teaching work extends to the elementary school level, where he talks with over 1,000 teachers around the world every year on methods of introducing young children to engineering.

 

RumeysaDogan

RUMEYSA DOGAN

Co-founder and COO at TechDev Academy

  • Graduated from top-ranked business school with high honor
  • Worked in top global companies as Vodafone, Benetton Group, etc
  • Experienced in Product Management and Digital Marketing Analytics
  • Managed Entrepreneurship Club and mentored several entrepreneurs

 

 

ismail-marulcu

ISMAIL MARULCU

Co-founder & Chief Education Officer at TechDev Academy

  • Educator and Researcher since 2001
  • M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Boston College
  • Ph.D. in STEM Education from Boston College
  • Mentored more than 100 pre-service teachers, college students, and high school students

 

 

PaolaGomez

PAOLA G. GONZALES

Mentor & Educator

  • over 2,000 hours mentoring students and 4 years of teaching experience
  • spearheaded a nonprofit organization that provides mentorship to underrepresented students at the UC, Davis
  • an active member of the Surfrider Foundation

 

 

AyushKanodia

AYUSH KANODIA

Ph.D. Student in Computer Science at Stanford

  • Ph.D. Candidate in Computer Science at Stanford Uni.
  • Worked as a software engineer for Google
  • Expert in the intersection of Computer Science and Economics.

 

 

KairatSabyrov

KAIRAT SABYROV

Ph.D., Data Scientist

  • B.S. in chemistry and physics
  • Ph.D. In physical chemistry
  • Data science instructor at Lambda School
  • Worked at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab at the UC, Berkeley

 

 

BAHRUDIN TRBALIC

Ph.D., Candidate at Stanford University

  • Studied Physics & Electrical Engineering at MIT.
  • Worked at MIT as a Medical Data Analyst and Product Developer.
  • The founder and lead developer of Expert Experiments.
  • Received the 2023 Robert H. Siemann Graduate Fellowship and 2022 NASA Astrophysics Research and Analysis Award.
  • Spearheaded STEM camps across Europe and Asia.
  • He has been mentoring students for years.

 

 

SHASHA ANRONIKOV

Researcher at Stanford University

  • Recent honors graduate from Cornell University with a major in biological sciences and a minor in business at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
  • Currently working at Stanford University in the Nolan Lab to conduct immunopathology research.

 

 

LISA WANG

BSc Harvard University Graduate

  • Studied Environmental Science and Engineering.
  • Cross-registered to Harvard Univ. and MIT.
  • An advisor to the Harvard Undergraduate Clean Energy Group.
  • Co-founder of Coolant, a company that builds software to unlock nature-based carbon markets.

 

 

SEMI HASAJ

MBA Data Scientist at C3 AI

  • Studied Data Science while obtaining his Master's of Business Analytics at MIT.
  • Studied Space Engineering in Toronto, Canada where he grew up.
  • He has spent years tutoring others because he loves to help people learn and grow.

 

 

SAMY AWWAD

Junior at Stanford University

  • Studying Symbolic Systems with a focus on Neurosciences and plans to be a medical doctor.
  • Founded ImmuniGlobal, a national nonprofit in vaccine education, and he was featured in Healthline magazine.
  • A published researcher in PubMed.
  • Honored by the CDC as a Flu Fighter during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Enthusiastic about empowering young changemakers.

 

 

HASAN TUNCER

Ph.D., Product Manager at Cruise

  • BSc. in Computer Science at Koc University, Istanbul.
  • Ph.D. in Computing and Information Scienves at Rochester Institute of Technology in New York.
  • Worked as a software engineering at Wall Street.
  • Product Manager for Cloud Services (at IBM Silicon Valley Lab), autonomous vehicles (at NIO, aka Chinese Tesla, Uber ATG, Aurora and Cruise)

 

 

RayYucel

RAY YUCEL

Ph.D., Data Scientist in Magnimind Inc.

  • B.S in Materials Engineering
  • M.Sc in Management
  • Ph.D. Candidate in Economics
  • Data scientist at Magnimind Inc.
  • Employs deep learning in finance and health care data

 

 

SofoklisGoulas

SOFOKLIS GOULAS

Ph.D., Senior Research Associate at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University

  • Senior research associate, Stanford Uni.
  • The use of data science and machine learning in economics
  • M.Sc. in finance and economics, Warwick business school
  • MS and a Ph.D. in economics, the Uni. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Worked at the Uni. of North Carolina and at the Bank of Greece

 

 

EnricoSantus

ENRICO SANTUS

Senior Data Scientist at Bayer

  • Senior data scientist at Bayer
  • Postdoc at MIT, in the group of Regina Barzilay
  • Experience in NLP in Oncology, Cardiology and Palliative Care
  • Experience in Fake News Detection, Sentiment Analysis, and Lexical Semantics.
  • Invited to talk at the White House

 

 

EMILY HALFORD

Data Analyst

  • Data analyst working in psychiatric epidemiology
  • Data Science&Mental Health Expert with the BBN Times
  • Master of Public Health, Columbia Uni.

 

 

RyanSpitler

RYAN SPITLER

Ph.D., Co-Founder and Deputy Director of the Precision Health and Integrated Diagnostics Center (PHIND) at Stanford University

  • Faculty Member, Standford Uni.
  • Founding Partner at Boutique Venture Partners
  • B.S. in Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, UC, Santa Cruz
  • Ph.D. In Cellular and Developmental Biology, UC, Irvine

 

 

muratbaday

MURAT BADAY

Scientist at Stanford Uni, Founder & CEO at TechDev Academy

  • Co-founder of Smartlens, Magnimind, Wowso, Nanosight
  • M.S. in Physics from the University of Pittsburgh
  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology and Biophysics from the Uni. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Mentored and tutored over 100 high school students
  • Developed novel ideas and has over 8 patents

 

 

GyunelRashidova

GYUNEL RASHIDOVA

B.S. in Biological Sciences,
Research assistant at the Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioinstrumentation

  • iGEM alumni, received Gold Medal among 250 teams
  • Fellowship holder from Women in Tech international organization
  • Founder of social projects:
    “OncoSense” - fabrication of device for the detection of cancer biomarkers;
    “RemiSee” - promotion of a colorblind-friendly educational platform
  • AIESEC alumni, organized case competitions with over 300 participants
  • Organized iGEM Biohackathon and Summer Camp for high-school and university students to apply coding for solving real case studies

 

 

SoudehYaghouti

SOUDEH YAGHOUTI

Ph.D., Data Scientist at Megalab, Silicon Valley

  • Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Italy.
  • More than 4 years of experience in data-driven research on electrical network systems.
  • Collaborating with TechDev Academy for several years and taught students data analysis projects.
  • Collaborated with Stanford scientists on projects that aimed to automate medical diagnosis of diseases with the help of image processing techniques and AI.

 

 

AIZHAN IBRAYEVA

MSc Researcher at Stanford University

  • MS. Aerospace Engineering from Purdue University.
  • Did research at Stanford University, Aerospace Science Lab (Purdue), Rarefied Gas Dynamics Lab (Purdue)
  • Worked on projects supported by NASA.
  • Worked as Engineer at Silicon Valley Startup companies.
  • Mentored Students from top US school

 

The class has 5 available spots.
You can add the class during course registration!

 

June 1-5

Mon-Fri 2 hours of daily instruction and 2 hours of self-paced project development.

June 8-12

Mon-Fri 2 hours of daily instruction and 2 hours of self-paced project development.

June 15-19

Mon-Fri 2 hours of daily instruction and 2 hours of self-paced project development.

The class capacity is full.
Please try other classes!