With student founders Andrianna Dallis of Arkoudaki and Ashka Shah of SaniStation

Which skills are essential for students to develop and practice when they’re working to launch a venture? Get the perspectives of two student entrepreneurs who recently worked to build and pitch new ventures during the Carolina Challenge Makeathon and UNC Innovation Showcase. Adrianna Dallis discusses skills that she’s found helpful – iterative prototyping, getting regular customer feedback, and product adaptation – while starting Arkoudaki, a venture that designs stuffed animals and sleeves that disguise and carry medical devices in order to reduce fear and insecurity in pediatric patients and children with illnesses. Then, Ashka Shah shares her formula for success – networking, team building and idea execution – as a co-founder of SaniStation, a moveable handwashing pod that circulates clean water without external input. You’ll also learn about makerspace resources and software programs that are available to students who want to turn their ideas into reality.