Interview at Stanford News by Brooke Donald

Excerpts from our Interview at Stanford News Check the last Problem Solvers section.

 

Problem solvers 

Ignite alumnus Raj Lal, a Silicon Valley software engineer, said the program changed his perspective about starting a business. "There's a lot more to it than having a great idea, making an app, selling it and getting rich," he said.

"Sure, that works for some people, obviously, and it becomes a big story and everyone thinks that's the formula for success. But it's not reality for most people, not for 99 percent of the people."

 Lal said the program taught him the importance of teamwork and about filling a void. "You start with a problem that you're trying to solve," he said. "Basically, you find out what the customer wants, then build according to that. Don't build something, then try to find customers."


 Soon said she entered the program wanting business skills but not necessarily to start her own venture. "I thought if I had ideas, someone else would eventually make the product. I'm not capable of doing that," she said. "But the course gave me encouragement and motivation." She said the program also gave her the resources and confidence she needed to try entrepreneurship, and provided connections to like-minded people.

She, Lal and Lee continue to meet with Ignite alumni at monthly networking event. "The program was really inspiring," said Lee, who received a master's degree in electrical engineering from Stanford. "I learned so much I can't believe it was only nine weeks. It felt like nine months." - Read the complete interview at: Stanford News