• Ellie Lashier
    CYstarters spotlight: Ellie Lashier

    Ellie Lashier ('25 religious studies, music) combines music and entrepreneurship in perfect harmony through Joyful Melodies, an innovative piano method designed to foster imaginative music-making for young kids.

  • Ella Schulte
    CYstarters spotlight: Ella Schulte

    Ella Schulte ('24 MS journalism and mass communication) has created a personalized digital publication, called "You," that aims to represent those who are often overlooked by mainstream media.

  • Spenser Leise
    CYstarters spotlight: Spenser Leise

    Spenser Leise ('26 advertising) developed his business, Songbird Music Décor, when he couldn't find music posters that fit his aesthetic.

  • Kaleb Nichols
    Recognizing a need turns into business venture

    A desire to help Black youth in his community inspired Kaleb Nichols ('24 liberal studies) to turn his passion into a profession.

  • Student Jacob Kautman smile against a green backdrop
    Entrepreneurship yields high returns for LAS student

    Jacob Kautman (‘24 history, education) empowers college students to boost their financial literacy and achieve their investment goals.

  • Jassma'ray Johnson
    A business that goes beyond beauty

    Jassma'ray Johnson ('23 psychology) is in the business of making women of color feel beautiful, inside and out.

  • Miranda Ekern
    Cheers to innovation

    Miranda Ekern ('22 biochemistry) and her innovative drinkware business are bringing people together, one mug at a time.

  • Student in red Iowa State Cyclones t-shirt sits in a blue chair, with a green wall in the background.
    Data in the dugout

    Pradyumna Dahal ('25 computer science, mathematics) and a team of fellow entrepreneurs are bringing affordable sports analytics to high school and youth athletics.