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Entrepreneurial Immersion

Entrepreneurial Immersion Summer Scholars Session I & II

Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Beyonce—individuals who started out with an idea that transformed the way people think, act, and operate. At Notre Dame, we ask the question: how do you use a vision to advance the common good and make the world a better place?

This course will focus on three key elements:

(i) Developing early-stage concepts;

(ii) Testing customer interest in early-stage concepts; and

(iii) Understanding how to pitch for initial funding from investors to develop those concepts.

The method you will be taught is Google Ventures’ Design Sprint. This is a five-day process to answer business questions through design, prototyping, and testing ideas with customers. Learn more about Google Ventures' Design Sprint.

Course Schedule

This course will be offered during Summer Scholars on campus.

Academic Directors

Carlos Espinoza Banegas

Carlos Espinoza, a social entrepreneur from Honduras, has dedicated over a decade to EdTech and expanding access to education for low-income populations in his country. Through the integration of technology and innovation, he has championed formal education, literacy programs, and English language learning for underserved communities. At the IDEA Center, Carlos manages the Catholic Social Teaching Impact Competition, applying Catholic Social Teaching principles to develop innovative solutions for pressing societal challenges.

An alumnus of the University of Notre Dame, Carlos holds a Master’s in Engineering, Science, and Technology Entrepreneurship (ESTEEM) and has completed executive programs at Stanford Graduate School of Business and Georgetown University. A 2016 YLAI Fellow and 2021 Fulbright Awardee, he is recognized for his impactful contributions.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Carlos is a salsa and bachata enthusiast, a passionate sports lover, and an emerging mixologist. He is driven by a mission to make education accessible and create lasting positive change.

John Henry

John Henry’s professional experience spans a decade of launching startups and consulting for private companies and government organizations.

Henry’s entrepreneurial experience focuses on the web-based startups. He co-founded his first company, RateMyStudyAbroad.com, in 2006 and sold it to GoAbroad in 2013. He also founded an online retail business (Shipping Entertainment) and an online learning platform (CODEinCLASS). Prior to his current position, Henry worked as Manager of Customer Success for a venture-backed web startup in South Bend, Vennli, that was founded by ND professor, Joe Urbany.

Henry’s consulting experience served both private and government clients. His consulting experience at private companies centers on new-product development and launch for companies such as Zimmer-Biomet and The Corporate Executive Board. His government consulting work focused on developing new intellectual property for the Navy while working at Booz Allen Hamilton.

Henry’s creativity and passion for entrepreneurship has resulted in multiple grants and awards, including Elevate’s High Performance Startup Grant, winner of Booz Allen’s Ideas Festival, two-time semi-finalist for Notre Dame’s McCloskey competition. He also supported international entrepreneurs by establishing the Notre Dame Haitian Entrepreneur Business Plan Competition.