A UT student startup group paired with the founder of the largest managed WordPress hosting company in the world, which offers tools for businesses to build websites, to challenge aspiring entrepreneurs to pitch startup ideas on the spot at Startup Meetup.

The Longhorn Entrepreneurship Agency invited WP Engine founder Jason Cohen to share his journey from being a UT student to starting a company making millions of dollars in revenue. Cohen discussed common mistakes small companies make to show students what is required for successful entrepreneurship. LEA’s activity-led discussion asked students to split into groups and create a business idea in 10 minutes.

“You can think of a half-way decent idea in 10 minutes,” Cohen said. “It’s maybe not the next Uber, so what?”

Startup ideas ranged from giving consumers the option to schedule dentist appointments online to matching them with inexpensive alternative veterinary services. Students were asked to introduce themselves with what they hoped to learn from the collaboration and how they would contribute.

Clarissa Parulian, a management information systems sophomore, said she is working on her own startup, GoodCards, where she makes personalized cards using calligraphy.

“My ask is to learn from people and see what they’re working on … to jump onto new ideas and be inspired,” Parulian said. “What I can offer is design skills — I do branding and campaigns.”
WP Engine was recently named the best place to work in Austin by the Austin American-Statesman in 2014 and 2015. It is the fastest-growing company in Austin with roughly 450 employees, according to Cohen.

LEA’s incoming director Daniel Miyares said Startup Meetup events give students the opportunity to interact with people like Cohen, who have transitioned from students to entrepreneurs.

“Self-management is integral to any kind of personal success, so students will be able to learn a great deal from him regardless of their experience with entrepreneurship,” Miyares said.

Cohen said successful businesses make customers a priority, develop pricing strategies early on and dedicate time to their three most important goals.

“When you can devote full time to it, that’s when it’s really going to work,” Cohen said. “Stop doing things that are fun and comfortable, do the things that are necessary – like selling.”

Miyares said Austin is a unique startup environment, because entrepreneurs are willing to help students.

“Someone as successful and busy as Jason Cohen has no business speaking to students unless he genuinely wants to pay it forward,” Miyares said.