CYstarters, a program created to help students become entrepreneurs and network with employers, aims to teach students how to develop a business pitch and offers tools to help their startup succeed.

Students learn from educational presentations on entrepreneurial finance, customer discovery and marketing.

During this 11-week program, students are provided $6,500 individually or $13,000 as a team to create a startup company and achieve their entrepreneurial goals.

Megan Graettinger, assistant director for the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship, said the program provides students with mentors and creates a sense of accountability for their work.

“There [are] different pitch opportunities for them where they have a large audience that will listen to their business idea and potentially have a chance to network, make sales, that type of thing,” Graettinger said.

Graettinger said regardless of a student’s plans to become an entrepreneur, the program is good for everyone. She said she recommends applying for the program if anyone is considering it.

Graettinger said the goal of CYstarters is to get students to work within cohorts and build a network of people to have connections with for a lifetime.

“Our hope is that we’ve really given them a toolkit to be a successful entrepreneur,” Graettinger said. “We’ve covered a lot of the topics that they’re going to run into and just given them some skills that they’ll need and also the confidence to do those things.”

Graettinger said applications were due March 12, but the application will open for all students again.

Graettinger said the Pappajohn Center gives many opportunities to students who participate in CYstarters and builds upcoming entrepreneurs each year.

Students like Jacob Kautman, a junior majoring in history, participate in weekly meetings with the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship advisers and mentors. Kautman said he found this program extremely useful.

“Being surrounded by like-minded individuals and the entrepreneurship atmosphere made for a fun and productive summer,” Kautman said.

Kautman said he and other participants learned a lot and established connections that were both personal and professional.

Kautman said the program teaches students to be innovative, work with a team, talk with professionals and build connections.

“There are numerous benefits within the CYstarters program that students can take advantage of,” Kautman said.

Kautman said mentors, funding opportunities, networking and access to resources such as co-working space, legal services and workshops are all offered to students in CYstarters.

Kautman said teams or individuals create their own companies during this program. Students engage in entrepreneurial activities and use this opportunity to grow a company.

Phillip Gorni, a junior in aerospace engineering, participated in the program and created a company called Safety Scan.

“I created Safety Scan, which is a tech company that uses artificial intelligence and cameras to actively alert workers when they are missing or improperly wearing their safety equipment,” Gorni said. “The value we provide is lowered worker injuries, reduced insurance premiums and reduced false insurance claims.”

Gorni said he learned all aspects of entrepreneurship, and this program made him confident for the future.