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Design, Build, Launch: New CS Capstone Turns Students into Entrepreneurs
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From zero to working prototype in just four months, students in the College of Computing’s new entrepreneurial Junior Design Capstone tackle real-world problems with guidance from startup mentors.
Led by School of Computing Instruction faculty member and Georgia Tech alumna Jennifer Whitlow, the course gives students a founder’s perspective on building technology that meets real user needs.
A Startup Approach to Junior Design
Unlike the traditional CS Junior Design course where teams work with sponsors, students in the entrepreneurial track act as their own clients. They begin the semester with no predetermined problem and follow a structured process, which is anchored by deliverables that reflect professional expectations.
“Students come in with nothing,” Whitlow said. “They identify a problem, conduct customer discovery, realize which assumptions were wrong, refine their direction, figure out what to build and then build it. And they own it 100 percent.”
Customer-discovery interviews ensure every idea is grounded in real user needs, and the semester culminates in a fully functioning prototype paired with a written justification of the decisions behind it. This combination of development and reflection gives students a framework that mirrors startup practices.
Expert Alumni Coached and AI-Driven Development
To further simulate a startup environment, Whitlow recruited alumni coaches with startup or executive experience. Coaches were paired with teams based on their areas of expertise, advising anywhere from one to four groups. The roster includes a former chief technology officer and longtime startup advisor, along with alumni startup founders.
Students also incorporate AI tools into development, accelerating early prototype work while still making critical decisions themselves.
“AI can accelerate the early stages,” Whitlow said. “But students have to understand their design well enough to guide it. AI doesn’t replace their decision-making.”
Top Teams Earn CREATE-X Acceptance
Sixteen teams completed the entrepreneurial capstone this fall.
The top two scoring projects earned automatic acceptance into CREATE-X Launch, Georgia Tech’s startup accelerator:
- CodeOrbit
- Sonara
These teams showcase the program’s ability to quickly bring student ideas to a level that’s ready for real-world startup incubation.
Putting the Process into Action: Lunchbox
One team that exemplifies how the capstone’s structure supports innovation is LunchBox. Created by computational media major Abigail Rhea and her teammates, LunchBox helps parents and caregivers of neurodivergent children navigate limited safe-food options.
The idea evolved after early customer discovery revealed that the original concept had too much competition, so the team narrowed its focus.
“During research, one of our teammates came across a testimonial from the mother of an autistic child,” Rhea said. “It spoke to all of us and helped us shift toward a truly underserved demographic.”
The team conducted more than 20 interviews with caregivers and special education teachers, reshaping its approach. “We realized families didn’t need another daily task,” Rhea said. “They needed personalized guidance that runs in the background. Everything we built came directly from those conversations.”
The team's biggest technical challenge was engineering a dynamic, emotionally supportive roadmap for food-exposure therapy. While AI accelerated development of SwiftUI code, all core decisions remained human-driven.
At the Capstone Expo, attendees connected strongly with the project. “So many people told us how applicable LunchBox is to their lives,” Rhea said. “Most joined the waitlist. We couldn’t be more excited for what’s next.”
Looking Ahead
Whitlow sees the pilot already fulfilling its purpose: giving students the tools and confidence to turn ideas into real ventures. Teams can continue work by applying to CREATE-X programs or building on their prototypes after the semester.
“This course shows students they can create something real,” Whitlow said. “That’s the goal: empowering them to innovate.”
A Startup Approach to Junior DA Startup Approach to Junior DesiUnlike the traditional CS Junior Design course where teams work with sponsors, students in the entrepreneurial track act as their own clients. They begin the semester with no predetermined problem and follow a structured process, which is anchored by deliverables that reflect professional expectatio
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Summary
From zero to working prototype in just four months, students in the College of Computing’s new entrepreneurial Junior Design Capstone tackle real-world problems with guidance from startup mentors.
Led by School of Computing Instruction faculty member and Georgia Tech alumna Jennifer Whitlow, the course gives students a founder’s perspective on building technology that meets real user needs.
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Status
- Workflow status: Published
- Created by: Emily Smith
- Created: 12/16/2025
- Modified By: Georgia Parmelee
- Modified: 12/16/2025
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