Ep 5. 6 Degrees to Nowhere

In the fifth episode of Startup U’s first season, titled “6 Degrees to Nowhere,” the students are given a unique challenge as they must work together in a joint project. The project’s objective is to come up with a new product that integrates technology with fashion, with the help of a fashion icon guest speaker, Rebecca Minkoff. The challenge is tough as it requires different talents to collaborate and bring their ideas to life.

Minkoff is well known for her contribution to the fashion industry and as a mentor to other entrepreneurs. She lays out the ground rules, telling the young entrepreneurs that they will have 24 hours to work together and create a tech-meets-fashion product. This task will need more than just a great idea to come to fruition; it's a test of their teamwork skills as well.

The students are excited about the challenge, and immediately start brainstorming. Some focus on wearable technology, while others work on accessories, such as purses and shoes that double as phone chargers. Throughout the episode, we see the struggles and the triumphs of the young entrepreneurs as they work to create something that is not only fashionable but functional as well.

One of the students proposes the idea of a fashion-inspired fitness tracker. The idea is to create a fitness tracker that looks like a stylish wristband rather than a plain black fitness gadget. The wristband comes with an app that tracks the user’s exercise and activity levels. The team manages to make a working prototype, but it’s not perfect. Minkoff gives them feedback and suggests that they think about making the wristband less bulky and making the colors more appealing to attract a wider audience.

Another team decides to work on a purse that doubles as a phone charger. The purse is a way to solve the age-old problem of women running out of phone battery when they are out and about. They created a beautiful clutch that can charge phones with a USB cable. The team works on finding the right materials and the perfect size for the purse. In the end, they created something that not only provides function but also looks gorgeous.

One team member, however, struggles to contribute to the project due to a lack of interest. This causes tension among the group and slows down the team's progress. To address this, Minkoff guides the students in a leadership exercise, where they appoint a team leader and restructure their collaborative approach. Afterward, they become more productive, and the project moves forward more smoothly.

In the end, each team presents their ideas to a panel of fashion and tech experts. The winning team is awarded a $5,000 grant to move forward with their idea. However, Minkoff reveals that the most significant reward is what they’ve learned throughout the challenge, mainly how to work as a team towards a common goal, and have a sense of ownership in that correlation.

The “6 Degrees to Nowhere” episode brings out the importance of teamwork among entrepreneurs, especially when dealing with a challenge that requires a mix of skills and a joint effort. Under the guidance of a reputable fashion icon, this challenge helps the students apply the skills they have learned in their business classes within the fashion and tech industry.