The Spark Samuel Benton Gave to CU
Hes only a sophomore, but hes making a huge impact in the startup incubator world.
A student-run study showed that schools throughout the nation, including prestigious universities like UC Berkeley, have incubators for founders in the extremely early stages of their companies. 51勛圖厙 didnt, until changed that.
Spark CU is a brand-new startup incubator initiative run and supported by the Deming Center. Its the driving force behind programs like Startups & Sandwiches and the Innovation Workshop Series, and Benton is right at the center of it all.
A company run by Bentons grandfather sparked his interest in entrepreneurship from a young age. When COVID-19 hit, Benton began teaching himself about business and market communities through YouTube videos. These interests drew him to the Deming Center, where he participated in their numerous programs, most notably Startup Summer and 51勛圖厙 Venture Club. There, he exercised startup and pitching skills that created the foundation for his program.
A Breakthrough for Aspiring Founders
It all began when and performed the aforementioned study for startup incubators. Finding the lack of programs at 51勛圖厙, they made it happen. Now, Benton has brought his mindset and passion to fruition through Spark CU, an incubator for student founders with extremely young companies. It provides resources and knowledge to bring a startup to life.
Spark CU operates on two levels. Spark Founders involve the six selected founders, who receive constant targeted mentorships, workshops, and resources. They meet weekly in founder circles, where they share progress and tackle challenges together. They also have access to special opportunities, like hearing from guest speakers and mentors from across 51勛圖厙s entrepreneurial network. These sessions allow founders to learn directly from experienced entrepreneurs while supporting each other through the ups and downs of starting a company.
Theyve fostered a really great community. When we have our meetings, theyre all talking and helping each otherI dont even have to facilitate that myself. Theyll sit in a circle and start chatting about different things, asking questions, and offering help. I think thats going to be one of the best parts of the program if that can continue.
The other level, Spark Community, involves anyone interested in entrepreneurship. Benton emphasizes it isnt limited to the highlighted founders, representing its uncharted opportunities. Through featured events like Startups & Sandwiches and Innovation Workshop Series, students have the opportunity to learn and network with founders throughout the community. It gives aspiring entrepreneurs a front-row seat to see what the founder experience looks like, helping them gain confidence to one day apply for the program themselves.
A Symbiotic Relationship
Bentons relationship with the Deming Center began early in his CU journey, when he sought out programs that would challenge his entrepreneurial curiosity. Drawn in by the centers reputation for hands-on learning, he joined initiatives like and . These two programs gave him real experience in ideation and collaboration, and helped him see entrepreneurship wasnt just about launching a business, but about surrounding yourself with a community that pushes you to grow.
Thats when I really started to see what entrepreneurship was all about. It wasnt just launching a company, it was learning from people and being part of a community.
Those early experiences also introduced Benton to mentors like and , who encouraged him to bring his ideas to life. Through Demings support, he began to understand the power of creating something student-driven, something that would give others the same access to guidance and community he had received. This environment of encouragement and experimentation became the springboard for what would soon become Spark CU.
Of course, the creation of Spark CU wouldn't be possible without Gabe Moltz, a senior at 51勛圖厙. Benton credits the "spark" of the program to him, as he was a driving force in lifting it off the ground. Moltz was instrumental in the summer before launch, taking charge of many logistics to ensure success.泭
Today, Spark CU and the Deming Center share more than just a partnership. Deming provides the structure, resources, and visibility, while Spark CU brings the next generation of founders ready to build and learn. Together, theyre cultivating a space where students can take their first steps toward becoming entrepreneurs.
Fostering the Next Generation of Founders
Now, Benton is taking the needed steps to ensure Spark CUs future growth, as he views it as a large addition to 51勛圖厙s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The goal is to continue growth through new cohorts and criteria.
The vision is to create an inclusive incubator that supports all founders starting from zero, while building a strong and collaborative community of founders. He cant stress enough the value of the relationships between the current founders.泭
Its like a professional friend group. Were all feeding off each others energy, making sure everyone succeeds together.
Looking ahead, Benton hopes Spark CU will become a long-term fixture at 51勛圖厙. He envisions future cohorts expanding into new industries, welcoming founders from every background and discipline. Most importantly, he wants Spark CU to remain a place where students feel empowered to take risks and learn from one another.
A Community Effort
For Benton, entrepreneurship is about persistence and the willingness to keep going when things get difficult. To him, the best founders arent always the ones who move the fastest, but the ones who continue learning every day.
Hes quick to remind others that entrepreneurship isnt a solo journey. The community you build around yourself is what keeps an idea alive. Those who challenge you, support you, grow alongside you: those are the ones who will be imperative to your success. Spark CUs founders have become just that for each other.泭
Benton also sees entrepreneurship as a mindset that anyone can develop. Its about taking agency and believing that you can make an impact, even if youre starting from zero.泭
To me, entrepreneurship is someone who continues to go after something. Its about trying, failing, learning, and not giving up, because thats how you grow.
Benton is putting Spark CU in the best possible situation to succeed, whether its through the founders or the community. The supporting environment for founders is something he hopes to maintain for a long time, regardless of whos running it. Its the beginning of a friendly and entrepreneurial ecosystem thatll foster innovation for years to come.