How to Close Your Startup's Experience Gap Joining forces with key individuals and organizations on campus can quickly accelerate your startup.

By Joseph Draschil

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Shutterstock

Sometime during the first two weeks of school last year, I approached my entrepreneurship professor after class to get her thoughts on something I'd read: A former student entrepreneur said getting an MBA is 50 percent networking, 20 percent class work, and 30 percent doing what you eventually want to do. Only 20 percent for classes? That didn't seem right. My professors all demanded 110 percent from us.

So, what was my professor's response to this? Her smile dropped, her gaze intensified and she said, "Suck the life out of this school. Partner with the school and use it up. Network with everyone. Take advantage of every opportunity you're given. Pitch as much as you can, as often as you can. Take action. You only have two years here and then it's over. Use up every bit of resources this school has to offer before you have to move on."

Related: How to Insert the "Real World' into Your College Courses

Looking back a year later, she was absolutely right. Nothing gives your startup a shot of adrenaline like partnering up -- especially when it is with something or someone with a lot more resources than you.

When school started, I had lots of ideas that I thought could be cool businesses, but I didn't now where to start. That's where partnerships stepped in and my ideas started to come to life. The Arthur M. Blank Center for Entrepreneurship at Babson College houses an amazing co-working space filled with whiteboards, books and intrepid entrepreneurs. I started to use it. The college also offered the John E. and Alice L. Butler Venture Accelerator Program. I joined it.

Related: How to Gain Free Feedback from Your Classmates

I set goals for my idea, started meeting with mentors and got to work. After I participated in the Babson Rocket Pitch event, I attracted two co-founders and even generated some buzz from investors. A few weeks later, my team participated in the Big Idea Competition and the Blank Center provided us with a mentor and pitch trainings, helping us finish as one of two winning teams.

Babson's own partnership with the Start-Up Chile program meant our team had an automatic spot in one of the upcoming rounds the next summer, which came with a $40,000 grant for developing our business.

Being highly involved with the school continued to pay major dividends for my gaming startup, Spy Games. In our second semester we were awarded office space in the graduate-business hatchery, finished as one of three finalists in the Babson B.E.T.A. challenge business competition and were invited to run a pilot of our game during the college's annual Founder's Day event. Funding from the event allowed us to take important steps like officially forming the company and purchasing important software. The exposure from that competition led to our first paid-corporate game and continues to provide leads even months later.

Related: 5 Ways to Land Press for Your Startup From Your Dorm Room

Throughout all of last year, if felt as if every time my team took one small step, our campus resources, connections and partnerships catapulted us forward another ten steps. It was incredible. If you are a student interested in entrepreneurship, you have absolutely must get involved and connected right away. Here are three things to remember:

1. Close the gap. You may have some gaps between your team and your opportunity. The fastest way to close the gap is by expanding your resources through partnerships. Don't think you can do it alone.

2. Capitalize on your environment. If you're a student, get the most out of your campus resources, including programs, clubs, faculty and staff. Do everything you can to connect and build relationships with the people and organizations around you. Take every opportunity available.

3. Partnerships are two-way streets. If you want doors opened for you, do what you can to provide value for the other party first. The more you give, the more you'll get. Take the time to really foster these relationships so they grow into something big.

What resources did you use to help launch your business? Leave a comment and let us know.

Joseph Draschil is the co-founder of SpyGames.me, a live action, choose-your-own adventure game where you are the hero and the game takes place around you and your team as you embark across your city on a series of missions. Draschil is currently participating in Start-Up Chile and is pursuing an MBA in the top-ranked entrepreneurship program at Babson College.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

This Husband and Wife's 'Happy Accident' Side Hustle Hit $467,000 Revenue Fast — Now It Makes Over $1 Million a Year: 'We're Scrappy'

Charlene and Vince Li couldn't find the snack they wanted to see on the shelves, so they created it themselves.

Growing a Business

'Boring' Businesses Are Making Millionaires — and You Can Borrow Their Strategies For Success

The silent growth strategy reveals how understated, steady businesses are quietly creating wealth for entrepreneurs in 2025. By focusing on long-term consistency and incremental progress, these "boring" industries are proving to be gold mines for those willing to embrace stability over hype.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

YouTuber MrBeast Makes More Money From His Side Hustle Than From His YouTube Videos

The 26-year-old creator has racked up hundreds of millions of views and subscribers on YouTube, but it isn't his main moneymaker.

Business News

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon Says Only One Group Is Complaining About Returning to the Office

In a new interview, Dimon said remote work "doesn't work" and noted some JPMorgan employees were checking their phones while he was speaking in a meeting.

Growing a Business

How to Make Your Business Look Bigger Than It Is — Without Faking It

Perception shapes reality in business. A polished, credible brand attracts customers, investors and media attention — even if your team is small. But how do you project strength and scale without resorting to deception? Here's what you need to know.