We are CU Boulder students from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds who bring our voices to the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative, act as role models, and lead innovative efforts for the student body.
We are student innovators with diverse perspectives from different disciplines who embrace an entrepreneurial spirit on campus and in the Boulder community. We believe each of us has unique strengths and innovative ideas, and together we can be more effective in taking action. Importantly, we seek to understand the larger picture of how innovation cuts across campus instead of being siloed.
We are driven by curiosity and the idea that innovation can be found everywhere. We aren't afraid to try new things and fail early and often. We see the world not how it is, but how it could be, taking steps towards tangible results that make the campus a more innovative place now, and into the future.
Have questions about entrepreneurship on campus? Reach out to us at iat@colorado.edu.
Our Values
Demystify Entrepreneurship
Connect the Dots
Just Send It
Be Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable
Push the Envelope
Take Chances
Recognize the Value of the Journey
2021-2022 Innovation Action Team
Rohan Baishya
MS — Engineering Management
Hi! I’m Rohan, a graduate student, co-founder and CEO of PAIR Virtual Stylist, and program manager for Catalyze CU. As an Engineering Innovation Ambassador on the Innovation Action Team, I work with the Engineering-Entrepreneur-in- Residence to promote awareness of and guide students to Innovation and Entrepreneurship resources on campus.
Leila Daoud
BS Finance
Minors: Business Analytics
My name is Leila and I'm excited to be part of the Innovation Action Team! I look forward to working with emerging entrepreneurs in this beautiful city that is best known for entrepreneurship!
Maddie Freeman
BS Business Administration — Management & Entrepreneurship
I am a passionate youth leader pursuing entrepreneurship and innovation while also prioritizing suicide prevention and mental health work in schools. I have always been intrigued by the business world, and I’m driven to make a difference in the Boulder community. I currently run a nonprofit, log-off movement campaign called ‘NoSo November.’ The goal of NoSo is to educate youth on social media’s harmful effects on mental health and daily life by providing a short video, featuring myself and the Director of the Social Dilemma, that discusses these issues and challenges.
Daniel Gonzalez-Beltran
BS Integrative Physiology
Minors: Multicultural Leadership & Business
My passion lies in expanding my range of knowledge as well as perspective of the world, and I find it valuable learning from friends who provide that. Especially paying it forward to students who have a curious interest in new concepts like innovation and entrepreneurship. I believe this is what makes our academic journey worthwhile. I’m excited to work in the Innovation action team along with helping expand our entrepreneurial community at CU Boulder!
Omar Kaheel
BA Computer Science
I am passionate about the intersection between Data Science and entrepreneurship. I am working on gaining experience on how Data science can improve lives through entrepreneurial means.
Umar Haroon
BS Computer Science
Hi, I’m Umar, and I’m helping with the Get Seed Funding program. I’m a computer science major focusing on pre-med and I hope to help students achieve success with their entrepreneurial ideas!
Priscilla Hopper
BS Information Science, MS Information Science
Minors: Philosophy and Creative Technology and Design
I am very passionate about ethical policy in the world of data, but once I've graduated, I plan to work full time for my company, Notice., a data platform designed for influencers. I believe entrepreneurship was an integral part of my college experience that boosted my creativity and initiative—I hope to show my peers at CU the benefits of developing an entrepreneurial mindset.
Addie Riley
BS Integrative Physiology
Minors: Spanish, Business
Hello! I’m Addie. As part of the Innovation Action Team, I’m hoping to help connect students from every corner of campus to entrepreneurship resources and opportunities at CU Boulder. I am excited to work with the Get Seed Funding program!
Ciro (Jack) Santaniello
BA Economics
Hey, I'm Jack and I'm excited to aid students in their entrepreneurial journey! I am an Economics major, minoring in Art Practices and Computer Science, and will be a part of the Get Seed Funding Team for the year.
Nicholas Singstock
PhD Chemical Engineering
Researching novel materials for advanced energy storage and energy conversion technologies that facilitate the transition to a renewable energy economy. Interests and areas of expertise include computational materials science, machine learning, electrochemistry and quantum computing, as well as rock climbing, biking, cooking and gardening.
Julia Taylor
Doctoral Candidate — Musical Arts, Violin Performance
I wear many hats: student, innovator, teacher, violinist, researcher, performer, business owner, wife and probably more. I am so glad to be back to school to work on my Doctoral in Musical Arts degree in violin performance because I can improve my playing and teaching skills. On the other hand, being in the center of the epic startup scene in Boulder, I get inspired every day.
Sebastian Vargas
BS Computer Science
Hey, I'm Sebastian, and I'm excited to join the Innovation Action Team. I am looking forward to expanding my entrepreneurial skills and helping students reach their goals on campus!
Nikitha (Nikki) Yendluri
BA Economics — Quantitative Emphasis
Minors: Statistics and Data Science, Mathematics, Business
Hi, I’m Nikki! I’m excited to be a part of the Innovation Action Team and bring students with different cultures and backgrounds together. I’m passionate about multicultural entrepreneurship, and I hope to foster innovative thinking and create opportunities at CU.