Ashesi alumnus Felix Tetteh ’14 has been selected to join the Draper University of Heroes’ Class of 2014. Felix will be one of a select number of young people from around the world converging on the Draper University campus in Silicon Valley for a six-week intensive programme focused on entrepreneurship.
The highly selective school recruits the brightest young entrepreneurs from around the world, and provides them the tools they need to succeed in the 21st Century. Its immersive, 7-days a week programme allows students to hear from industry leaders and be mentored by successful entrepreneurs and investors. Past speakers at the University have included Elon Musk (CEO, Tesla and SpaceX), Aaron Levie (Founder and CEO, Box), Tony Hsieh (Founder and CEO, Zappos) and Nolan Bushnell (Founder, Atari).
“I have had the opportunity to attend great schools like the African Leadership Academy, Ashesi University College and Babson College,” Felix says. “Draper University for me is another great opportunity not just because of the quality of education, but also because I get the opportunity to build a startup with mentorship from successful investors and entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley!”
The Draper University is the brainchild of venture capitalist Tim Draper, whose firm has backed Skype, Hotmail, Tesla Motors and Redfin. Topics covered in the university’s crash course will include Fundraising, Design Thinking, Negotiation, Branding and Media Training. At the end of the programme, entrepreneurs have the opportunity to pitch their business idea to a panel of investors for the opportunity to receive funding.
“We prepare people for an interesting and purposeful life,” says Tim Draper. “We look for those 18-28 year olds who have a passion to change the world for the better. Students who enter the programme will build a lifelong network of friends from around the world, will be exposed to the Silicon Valley experience, move their vision forward, and will never be the same.”
While students receive guidance in more traditional business areas, they will also receive training in fields like yoga, first aid, martial arts and music. The programme also includes a survival weekend that is intended to challenge students “emotionally, physically and mentally,” as they will be in the real world.
“It is a lot of excitement to look forward to,” Felix says. “I am currently working on a tech startup focused on travel solutions within West Africa – Tickiair and Tickibus - with a team of my classmates. Our plan is to pilot in Ghana and expand to seven other African countries within 5 years. We are going to create a renowned business from Africa that can rub shoulders with global business giants, leave an impact and create a legacy through leadership and wealth creation.”