Empowering STEM Success: The Journey of Edlyft
Company profile
Company business details
Motivation to build the product
The founders, Erika Hairston and Arnelle Ansong, were motivated to start Edlyft after identifying a significant gap in academic support for underrepresented students in STEM fields. Their personal experiences and insights into the challenges faced by these students sparked the idea for the platform.Problem that their product solves
Edlyft addresses the challenges faced by college undergraduates, particularly from the BIPOC community, in excelling in STEM fields such as computer science. The platform provides mentorship, tutoring, and study tools, which are crucial for helping these students navigate difficult courses and ultimately succeed in their academic and professional careers.Their unfair advantage
Edlyft's unfair advantage lies in its focus on supporting underrepresented groups in STEM, providing tailored resources and community support that specifically address the unique challenges these students face.Strategies
Pre-Launch (Product Development & MVP)
Community Engagement for Product Development
Erika Hairston and Arnelle Ansong engaged directly with their early users of the Zimela app to gather feedback on their needs. They discovered that while the app was inspirational, users were more concerned about practical support in their computer science classes. This feedback led them to pivot their focus towards creating Edlyft, a platform that provides mentoring and tutoring for STEM students. By listening to their audience, they were able to identify a pressing problem and tailor their solution accordingly.
Mentorship and Tutoring Program
Erika Hairston and her co-founder Arnelle Ansong created Edlyft to provide mentorship and tutoring specifically for undergraduate students in STEM fields. They recognized the challenges faced by students in computer science and aimed to offer support through a platform that includes studying tools, blog posts with tips, and direct mentorship. This initiative was born from their own experiences in college, where they leaned on each other for support, and they wanted to replicate that community for others.
Launch Stage
Y Combinator Participation
Hairston and Ansong applied to Y Combinator (YC) to gain mentorship and resources for their startup. They utilized the program to refine their business model and received guidance on problem-solving techniques. Each week, they would present a problem they faced, discuss their attempted solutions, and receive feedback from YC partners. This iterative process helped them stay focused on critical aspects of their business and provided them with a supportive community of fellow founders.
Intern Development Program
Edlyft launched an Intern Development Program in partnership with Vanguard, which pairs students passionate about technology with engineers for career-building support. This program was designed to provide practical experience and guidance to students, helping them navigate the tech industry more effectively. By collaborating with a well-known investment management company, Edlyft aimed to enhance the employability of its users and create a direct pathway into tech careers.
Growth Stage
Building a Supportive Community
Post-YC, Hairston and Ansong continued to leverage the YC community by organizing monthly calls with other founders from their batch. This initiative allowed them to maintain motivation and seek help whenever they encountered challenges. They emphasized the importance of community support in overcoming obstacles, stating that they could always reach out to someone within the YC network for assistance. This strategy not only fostered collaboration but also reinforced their commitment to building a strong support system for their startup.
Learn more about Edlyft
Edlyft Co-Founder and CEO Erika Hairston: How Community Can Elevate Tech
