Starter’s Den, founded at the University of Denver by Peter White, is a social media network for student startups and skilled workers
When you visit startersden.com, you’re greeted with a question: “What is your role?” Beneath the question are two buttons: “I have an idea and want help,” and “I have skills and want to help.” The slogan at the top of the webpage reads, “Let’s streamline innovation.”
What’s striking about this landing page is its intimidation—or rather, the lack thereof. You don’t have to call yourself an “entrepreneur” to fit yourself into the Starter’s Den mold. A creative thinker of any kind can get an idea for a new business, and a student of any discipline can lend their services to a burgeoning venture. But a startup can’t survive with only one or the other. It relies on the collaboration of idea generators and skilled workers to turn a startup into something viable.
It’s no surprise the University of Denver is home to this hub of innovation. Peter White (BS 2022), a founder of Starter’s Den, said the idea originated in Director of Entrepreneurship@DU and Teaching Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship Joshua Ross’s From Idea to First Dollar Sale class (EVM 3350).
“I was sitting there listening to the other students say things like, ‘I’ve got this idea, but I don’t know how to do it.’ They were talking about things like building a website or 3D modeling. That’s what sparked the idea,” said White.
White and co-founder Jacob Samuels (BS 2022), who took the class together, began researching ways a social network could connect startups and skilled workers. After some time, Jonathan Huther (BS 2022) joined the team. The three have collectively grown the company with lessons and skills learned from Entrepreneurship@DU sprints.
“[Entrepreneur in Residence] Bill Powell’s How to Fund Your Business (EVM 3435) was helpful,” White said. “He has been a huge support. Startup Legal Issues (EVM 3422) was especially useful as we were getting off the ground. Design for the Digital Economy (EVM 3437) helped us develop our brand’s voice as we delved into more kinds of marketing.”
White and Huther have prior entrepreneurial experience. Growing up, White and his brothers went around their neighborhood pulling weeds and doing yardwork. When he was 16 and needed a new computer, he provided his web design skills to a New Mexico computer charity. In exchange, the charity gave him a free laptop. Huther grew up hosting lemonade stands, dog sitting for neighbors and doing other odd jobs close to home. Huther’s dad comes from an entrepreneurial family, and that spirit has funneled down to this venture.
While Starter’s Den is currently exclusive to DU startups and students, White envisioned expanding its horizons.
“We would like to become a hub for professional startups recruiting student talent. We want to be the premiere destination for university students who want to break into the startup ecosystem. Denver is becoming a major hub for new ventures,” said White. “The people here, especially at DU, have a lot of passion for startups and innovation. We would love for this to expand to other universities, and eventually, other cities.”
At Starter’s Den, having an open mind is key. Working with startups of any kind can be a career boost, especially for students entering a competitive post-graduate workforce. A Starter’s Den blog post explained why hiring managers are drawn to candidates with startup experience.
DU students on either side of the equation are invited to learn more about this exciting network of innovators.