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Eechan and Joyce didn’t enter the Student Fellowship with a startup idea in mind, but they left with something even better - confidence in their ability to build. Coming from different backgrounds, they found themselves immersed in the world of entrepreneurship, learning from top founders, and eventually pitching their own ideas at the Founders Challenge. Their journey is proof that sometimes, all you need is curiosity and a willingness to dive in.

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Ready to launch your career in startups? Join our next intake of Student Fellows.

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Startmate: How did you first hear about the Student Fellowship?

Eechan: I heard about it through university. A lot of people I knew had done it before, and they spoke really highly of it, so I figured - why not give it a shot? I had been interested in startups but had no idea how to get started, and this seemed like the perfect entry point.

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Joyce: Same here! I saw it mentioned in a university newsletter, and after reading more about it, I thought it sounded like an amazing way to explore entrepreneurship in a structured, supportive environment.

I wasn’t sure if startups were for me, but I was keen to learn more and meet people who were thinking outside the traditional career paths.

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Startmate: What made you interested in startups?

Eechan: I’ve always been curious about startups, but I didn’t really know where to start. The Fellowship seemed like the perfect opportunity to learn from people who had actually built companies and to figure out if this was something I wanted to pursue.

I love solving problems, and startups are all about tackling challenges in innovative ways.

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Joyce: For me, it was about learning how to create something from scratch. I’d always been interested in problem-solving, and startups are all about tackling big problems in new ways. The idea of building something that could have a real impact really appealed to me.

I also liked the idea of working in a fast-paced environment where you’re constantly learning and adapting.

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Startmate: What was the most valuable part of the Fellowship for you?

Eechan: The community. Meeting other people who were also curious about startups was amazing. I loved the in-person meetups and just having the chance to bounce ideas off other fellows.

It was inspiring to see how different everyone’s backgrounds were - yet we all shared the same drive to create and build something new.

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Joyce: Definitely the mentorship and coaching. Having access to experienced founders who could share their lessons and provide honest feedback was invaluable.

The sessions gave me so much insight into what it actually takes to build something from the ground up, and the coaches were great at helping us refine our thinking and approach.

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Startmate: Did you pitch at the Founders Challenge?

Eechan: Yes! I pitched a project that I’d been thinking about for a while - an AI tool that helps automate customer support for small businesses. It was nerve-wracking, but the experience was incredibly valuable.

Standing up in front of judges and getting real-time feedback helped me refine my idea and pushed me to think critically about how to bring it to life.

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Joyce: I did too! My idea was around financial literacy for young people - creating a platform that helps students better understand their finances. It was amazing to see the range of ideas people were working on and to get real feedback from investors and mentors.

I was surprised at how much my idea evolved just through the process of preparing for the pitch.

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Startmate: Did any founders inspire you during the Fellowship?

Eechan: Melanie Perkins from Canva - her journey from teaching design to building one of the world’s biggest design platforms is so inspiring. She stuck with it through hundreds of investor rejections and kept refining her vision until it worked.

That kind of persistence and belief in your product is something I really admire.

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Joyce: I loved hearing from founders who had failed before finding success. It was a great reminder that failure isn’t the end - it’s part of the process.

One founder spoke about how they pivoted their startup three times before finding the right market fit, and that really stuck with me. It made me realize that flexibility and resilience are just as important as the initial idea.

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‍Startmate: Do you see yourself pursuing startups in the future?

Eechan: 100%. The Fellowship gave me the confidence to start building, and now I’m actively exploring ideas and working on an MVP.

I don’t have all the answers yet, but I know that taking action is the only way to figure things out.

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Joyce: Absolutely. I don’t know exactly what I’ll build yet, but I know I want to work in startups - whether that means founding my own or joining an early-stage team.

The energy, creativity, and fast-paced nature of startups really excites me, and I want to keep being part of that world.

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Startmate: Any advice for students considering the Student Fellowship?

Eechan: Just do it. You don’t need a business idea or any prior experience - just a willingness to learn. I went in with no expectations and came out with a whole new perspective on what’s possible.

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Joyce: Be open to new experiences and people. You never know where a conversation or idea might take you.

The Fellowship isn’t just about building startups - it’s about building the confidence to take risks, think differently, and challenge yourself.

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The Student Fellowship was just the beginning for Eechan and Joyce. Whether they go on to build their own startups or join early-stage teams, they now have the mindset, skills, and network to carve their own path. If you’re curious about startups but don’t know where to start, take a page from their book - just dive in. Who knows? You might surprise yourself.

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