E.S.I. Ignites Momentum: Student Founders Turn Vision into Venture
Week 2 Update from the Entrepreneur & Startup Incubator (E.S.I.), co-sponsored by Santa Cruz Works
At the halfway mark of the Entrepreneur & Startup Incubator (E.S.I.), momentum is building—and the future is being shaped in real time. This four-week summer sprint, co-sponsored by Santa Cruz Works, empowers student founders from UC campuses and community colleges to transform early-stage ideas into viable startups. It’s not just an incubator—it’s a launchpad for the next generation of agile entrepreneurs.
Each day of E.S.I. is packed with masterclasses, founder-led workshops, product testing, and pitch prep. The result? A wave of innovation that’s practical, personal, and purpose-driven.
Student Spotlights: Ideas in Motion
Take Braydon Ramirez, a UC Santa Cruz rugby player who co-founded MindWeave.ai alongside Aviel Hernandez. What began as a CruzHacks-winning idea is now a functional journaling web app that uses AI-powered tone analysis and memory graphs to support mental health—especially for therapists and neurodivergent users. Over the past two weeks, Braydon has refined backend systems, expanded use cases, and is preparing for a social launch.
Incoming UC Davis transfer Devi Amarsaikhan is taking robotics to the next level. Her second-generation 3D-printed robotic hand is being fitted with sensors, motors, and a camera for functional home use. Through E.S.I., she’s mastered pitch storytelling, product marketing, and no-code prototyping—transforming a technical project into a venture-ready solution.
Jordyn Garcia, a professional musician and UCSC business and math major, is building Pianocello Studios into a startup that redefines music as a service. Having performed for clients like Chevron, Jordyn is now using E.S.I. tools to build brand visibility, structure her offerings, and grow her reach. “Each session keeps me focused,” she says. “I’m thinking like a founder now.”
Meanwhile, Curran Advani is automating the real estate industry with Xvanitee, an AI-driven workflow agency that helps realtors and brokers automate lead generation, listings, and follow-ups using tools like GPT, n8n, and Make.com. Curran is also co-founder of Revamp, a home services platform—and he’s just getting started.
Keynote Energy: Strategy and Execution
Week 2 brought powerhouse sessions from startup veterans. Jonathan Lo, fractional CMO and Salt Foundry founder, delivered a hands-on go-to-market masterclass—breaking down how to define customer niches, craft value props, and build B2B or B2C strategies from scratch.
Then came Liam Davis, Red Bull Santa Cruz’s sales & marketing lead and serial entrepreneur. From reselling sneakers in high school to consulting with startups and VCs, Liam laid out tactical systems for cold outreach, brand building, and no-code automation. His challenge to the cohort? Book five meetings this week. Test fast. Fail forward. Move faster.
Looking Ahead: Vibe Coding & Launch Prep
With two weeks to go, founders are in “vibe coding” mode—connecting automations, refining backend tools, and launching content across LinkedIn, Instagram, and Threads. Startups are live-testing features, gathering user feedback, and scaling lean.
Countdown to Capstone
The final pitch presentations are just around the corner. Founders will demo their products, pitch their growth, and showcase what’s next. It’s startup energy in its rawest, most electric form.
Follow the Journey:
Get Involved:
Mentor, sponsor, or apply to a future cohort: Mentor Form | Founder Application
Special thanks to UCSC, Santa Cruz Works, the I&E Certificate Program, CIED, Nada Miljkovic, and Manel Camps for championing student-led innovation.
