Turn your big ideas into real-world solutions

In this hands-on, project-based course, students will be guided by mentors and industry experts as they explore the essentials of launching a startup. They'll use the Lean Startup methodology—an agile, proven approach to innovation and business development. By the end of the program, students will have the mindset and toolkit to transform creative ideas into sustainable business ventures, powered by design thinking and regenerative innovation.

  • Think Like Entrepreneurs: Brainstorm and refine bold ideas to solve real global challenges.
     
  • Build Smart Business Models: Use the Business Model Canvas and customer discovery interviews to identify opportunities, target customers, and achieve product-market fit.
     
  • Master Business Fundamentals: Learn the essentials of revenue, costs, customer acquisition, and the key activities and resources needed to run a successful venture.
     
  • Gain Market Insight: Conduct market research, analyze competitors, and explore how start-ups grow into large-scale companies.
     
  • Product Development: Learn how to design and develop a prototype and minimum viable product.
     
  • Develop Leadership & Communication Skills: Collaborate in teams, give daily progress updates, and pitch your final business plan to peers, mentors, and guests.

Program details

Course Code: PREC.600
Prerequisites: None
Instructor: Yuliya Monastyrska, Lecturer/Entrepreneuer, UC Santa Cruz, Crown College
Method: Commuter (Silicon Valley)
Dates: June 15 – 26, 2026 
Times: 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Cost: $2,500

Topics

  • Entrepreneurship Tools & Methods
  • Market Research
  • Design Thinking
  • Customer Discovery
  • Product Positioning
  • Product Design
 
Sample Schedule Morning Afternoon
Day 1 Introduction to the Business Mindset Team Building Activity
Day 2 Intro to Lean Startup Methodology Business Ideas Pitches and Team Formation
Day 3 Deeper Dive into Customer Discovery Draft and Present Business Model Canvas
Day 4 Guest Lecture on Starting Ventures Research: Customer Market
Day 5 Project Management 101 Customer Discovery Interviews Prep
Day 6 Prototypes & Minimum Viable Products Start Designing MVP
Day 7 Guest Lecture on Branding Continue Designing MVP
Day 8 Cost Analysis Research: Competition
Day 9 Market Shares: TAM, SAM, Target Research and Calculate Market Share
Day 10 Work on Final Presentations Corporate Structures
Final Team Presentations:  4:30–6 p.m.

Course Instructor

Yuliya Monastyrska, Instructor for the Pre-College Startup Entrepreneurship Summer Program

Yuliya Monastyrska
Lecturer, UC Santa Cruz, Crown College

Yuliya Monastyrska is a UCSC Crown College Lecturer for entrepreneurial and business courses. She is a co-founder of GetVirtual, a nonprofit organization providing free services to help small businesses grow their virtual presence. She was a lecturer of the Sustainability and Entrepreneurship Program in partnership between Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development (CIED) at UCSC and Fulbright COMEXUS Bicentennial Ambassador’s Grant Program. Interested in both art and business, she holds degrees from UC Santa Cruz in Economics and Literature, and is working on creative writing and film projects. While she is a young educator, she has found success and joy in guiding students in their entrepreneurial paths.