Ep 7. Not So Fair

In Startup U season 1 episode 7, titled "Not So Fair," the students at Draper University delve into the world of entrepreneurship and ethical issues. Tim Draper, the founder of Draper University, is keen on teaching his students how to become successful entrepreneurs. In this episode, he decides to push his students' ethical and moral boundaries by challenging them to create a business that benefits from a gray area of the law.

The episode begins with Tim giving the students a brief on the challenge. The challenge is to create a business that operates in a legal gray area and is still profitable. The aim of the challenge is to teach the students that entrepreneurship is not just about making money. It's about creating businesses that bring value to society while balancing the risks and rewards that come with it.

The students soon realize that coming up with a business idea that operates in the gray area of the law is not an easy task. They are divided into teams and begin brainstorming ideas. Some teams come up with ideas that raise ethical and moral questions, while others focus on how to create value for their potential customers.

The challenge pushes the students to think outside the box and explore unconventional ideas. One team comes up with an idea to create a service that connects pet owners with people who want to experience the joy of pet ownership. Another team comes up with a service that helps people sell their unused prescription medications to others who need them but cannot afford them.

Throughout the episode, the students struggle with ethical dilemmas and moral boundaries. They realize that their businesses may not be entirely legal, and they need to consider the potential consequences. The teams discuss the pros and cons of their business ideas and how they can be beneficial to society while still following the law.

As the teams develop their business ideas, they are mentored by experienced entrepreneurs who help them navigate the ethical minefield. The mentors give them practical advice on how to create a successful business while maintaining their integrity.

In the end, the teams present their business ideas to a panel of judges, including Tim Draper. The judges evaluate the ideas based on their feasibility, profitability, and ethics. The judges ask tough questions and challenge the students to defend their ideas.

The episode ends with the judges announcing the winner of the challenge. The winning team is the one that came up with the service that connects pet owners with people who want to experience the joy of pet ownership. The judges praised their idea for being innovative, profitable, and ethical.

Overall, Startup U season 1 episode 7, "Not So Fair," teaches the students that entrepreneurship is not just about making money. It's about creating businesses that bring value to society while balancing the risks and rewards that come with it. The challenge pushes the students to think outside the box and explore unconventional ideas, and the mentors help them navigate the ethical minefield. In the end, the episode delivers a powerful message that entrepreneurship is not just about creating successful businesses, but it's also about making a positive impact on society.