I just got an email from VC veteran Tim Draper, informing me that Draper University (http://draperuniversity.com/) is taking applications for 2013. The program offers the “ultimate immersive entrepreneurial experience” for 18-27 year old entrepreneurs, over the course of 6-8 weeks in the spring and summer in a hotel in San Mateo, CA.
The ongoing change in Venture Capital, entrepreneurship and education, got Tim Draper to focus on building entrepreneurship from the ground up.
It’s a school where the students are called “Heroes” because in his opinion, the idea of trying new things, makes people feel like they are super heroes. And in fitting way, he plans to put them through an 8 week “bootcamp”: He wants students to read a book a day, do public speaking almost every day, and learn by doing… what’s different in his school is that failure is encouraged. Each student is encouraged to start a venture/project during the program, but the expectation is not success – it’s learning.
Domestic and international students are welcome to apply and SAT scores don’t matter. The application form is the only requirement, and it should demonstrate the student’s entrepreneurial spirit.
With inspirational speakers like Elon Musk, Shawn Fanning and Tony Hsie and a curriculum that includes classes on futurology, venture capital, lean startups, design thinking, etc (see image below) – he may have a chance. Even the tuition has a twist – the student can choose to pay up to $9,500 upfront (includes room and board), or pay a percent of their income for the next 10 years – very clever.
I agree that it’s time to transform education. I’m not sure this is it, but it definitely got me thinking! the only question me, and others, may have is why limit it only to 18-27 year olds?
@ediggs @timdraper Great initiative, why limit it to young entrepreneurs?
— Chris Yeh (@chrisyeh) March 3, 2013
He is a former General Partner at Google Ventures (GV) in Europe, former head of Google for Entrepreneurs in Europe, and founding head of Campus London, Google's first startup hub. Eze writes on Israeli tech, venture capital, artificial intelligence, and founder strategy.
He is also the founder of Techbikers, a nonprofit that brings together the startup ecosystem on cycling challenges in support of Room to Read.
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