Exploring London’s startup scene: My CELect adventure

Wandering through the vibrant streets of London, a city bursting with possibilities, 25 WashU students from various fields, from finance to computer science to law, embarked on an experience in London's dynamic international startup ecosystem.

The CELect London program was a transformative experience for my academic journey, providing an excellent closure to my summer just before the start of my junior year.

Our trip kicked off on August 17 at the stunning Melia Hotel at the edge of Regents Park, where we stayed until August 21. The trip’s primary goal was to understand and engage with London’s innovation landscape, exploring how startups thrive in one of the world’s most influential cities.

The tour of Shoreditch effectively showed us what London has to offer. This area, famously known as Tech City or Silicon Roundabout, is a hotspot where renowned startups and unicorns flourish. This hub set the stage for an unforgettable exploration of London's entrepreneurial spirit.

Throughout the program, we were divided into teams of five students, each assigned to tackle a startup challenge. A key component was learning from Doug Villhard, professor of practice at the Olin Business School, who guided us through strategies for becoming effective consultants, focusing on problem-solving and formulating solutions to support them best.

My involvement with Chicken Rush, a startup offering a citywide hide-and-seek game, was particularly exciting. Through our conversations with the founder, I learned that even a successful business must address operational challenges to sustain growth. Collaborating with a team that is as passionate as I am was a rewarding journey in curating a recommendation we hope can empower the founder to excel.

Along with insightful work, the program gave us opportunities to meet WashU alumni. We had the pleasure of visiting the London Google HQ, met Sam Shevick, a corporate development professional, and participated in a networking reception with more than 40 alumni. The interactions solidified my understanding of London's global significance and showcased the city's robust connections in various industries, from film and finance to technology and even wine.

The CELect program exceeded my expectations. Rian Edwards, the program coordinator and associate director for Olin entrepreneurship, did an exceptional job facilitating our learning and ensuring we maximized our time in London. Not only did this deep dive into the international startup scene allow me to gain skills and insights into the startup world, but also I made connections with students from other disciplines whom I wouldn't have met otherwise.

For those considering immersing themselves in this type of scene, I can't recommend CELect London enough. It's a fantastic way to gain a global perspective, build valuable skills, and open new opportunities. Trust me, it's an adventure you won't want to miss.

Nicole Briceno, a junior at WashU Olin, contributed this article.