2019 MacNest Participants
2019 MacNest Participants
Raza Khalid ’20
Startup: Quill Security Technology
What do you love about the work you are doing? : There is a clear purpose behind the work I’m doing and I have a variety of things to work on to keep my work interesting.
Startup description: Digitizing physical security through vulnerability assessments and risk maps
Julia Carpenter ’20
Startup: ClutchSOS
What do you love about the work you are doing? : I really like all the different roles I am able to fill through this internship. I am working on projects from helping with marketing, giving feedback on the website layout, collecting stories from people on the street, and contacting local colleges and universities to collaborate.
Startup description: ClutchSOS is a “social” security app that makes help social and automatic. The app works like a home security system–you turn it on before you enter a situation, and the app will automatically notify your contacts according to your settings.
Molly Hurley ’21
Startup: SK Coffee
What do you love about the work you are doing? : What I love about this internship is that the startup is in the middle of a lot of big changes and I get to be part of the process. I’m learning about business negotiations, budgeting expansion, and managing current projects at the same time as developing new ones. I get to see every aspect of the business, from the big picture strategy down to the knitty gritty details that keep the lights on.
Startup description: A coffee company using non-disruptive innovation to elevate the ever day coffee drinker’s experience. SK Coffee is meeting you where you are with small-batch, hand roasted, craft coffee.
Bao Ha ’21
Startup: We Sparkle
What do you love about the work you are doing? : The coolest part was going to Toronto, but that just shows that what I love is just the spontaneous nature of working at an early stage start up and handling whatever is happening. On top of that, my startup’s mission is perfectly aligned with my passions as well which makes the nature of my work more interesting and enjoyable. Overall the best part of this internship is the team at We Sparkle, Michelle & Hannah are both amazing people.
Startup description: We Sparkle sells software as a service. We aim to help small businesses care for their customers and their communities.
Felicia Peterson ’22
Startup: The End in Mind Project (End in Mind)
What do you love about the work you are doing?: My supervisor, Jamie, is thoughtful about each task she assigns. Each task serves a different function; one specifically will help with my researching skills down the road academically, another is organizing, and a different task helped me search for the most relevant portions in a piece of media so that each second had purpose. I am being encouraged to be creative. I am going to start writing for the start-up’s blog soon, which has me over the moon with excitement. Every step of the way has clear expectations and time for questions and a time for being a bit more goofy.
Startup description: We are dedicated to helping people become more comfortable with their inevitable end of life, and in the process, learn how to live more fully in any stage of life. We use stories as the key to unlock the door and enter a safe place to host these conversations.
(Robert) Duc Bui ’20
Startup: Transcend IT Inc.
What do you love about the work you are doing? : I like the fact that my work is of benefit to the community around me, and that it has immediate impact on people’s lives.
Startup description: We train underrepresented community members i.e. women and people of color to prepare them for career skills and IT jobs and connect them with job placement opportunities in the Twin Cities.
Sam Rosevear ’21
Startup: Tournament Time
What do you love about the work you are doing? : I love being creative in the design of the app. The fact that my decisions affect what users will see is really cool to me. Being able to look at my work on a phone is an awesome experience.
Startup description: Tournament Time is a head-to-head gaming app where users can win cash. Users compete in a number of mini games in a tournament for the reward
Liv (Olivia) Gigliotti ’21
Startup: Monicat Data
What do you love about the work you are doing? : I love the responsibility and creative control I am given with the marketing aspects of the startup. The hands-on experience is invaluable.
Startup description: Monicat Data is “The Business Behind Creativity.” They provide data and technology solutions for the creative economy.
Zain Mahmood Chaudhry ’20
Startup: SayKid
What do you love about the work you are doing? : I really like getting to develop interactive voice applications, test them and release them to the Alexa store and tracking the feedback and response it gets.
Startup description: SayKid is the world’s 1st screenless learning platform. We combine voice tech in the form of a plush robot to help kids learn in a safe, natural, and engaging way.
Yukeria Haywood ’21
Startup: Imagine Deliver
What do you love about the work you are doing? : I really like the aspect of human-centered work at Imagine Deliver. The work is very dedicated to the growth of people to be able to do their best, and we work alongside companies to develop planning that fits. This includes working with clients in person, and I have gotten to know people in a variety of fields that are dedicated to success of their work in an impactful and inclusive way. This method of design thinking through an equity lens in a consulting firm is unique and really cool!
Startup description: Imagine Deliver is a consulting firm that helps clients dream up new ways of working that benefit everyone. We help clients design their work to create stronger organizations, systems, and services that work for everyone.
Vinnae Collins ’22
Internship site: Social Impact Strategic Partnerships
What do you love about the work you are doing? :
Startup description: Social Impact Strategic Partnerships is grounded in democratizing wealth, financial services, aaas well as access to capital by and for women and communities of color.
Michael White ’21
Internship site: Mossier
What do you love about the work you are doing? : I love working with passionate business leaders to build a movement
Startup description: Mossier works to make Minnesota the number 1 destination for LGBTQ talent through helping Fortune 500 companies create inclusive workplaces.
Rae Hushion ’20
Internship site: GLITCH
What do you love about the work you are doing? : The coolest part about my internship is that I get to do what I love — coding — while also having fun and making connections. The industry I’m in does not just involve work at a computer, but also social relations. I’ve had wonderful opportunities to collaboratively develop and implement an idea, as well as meet others in the startup space, other game devs, foundation members, and people to whom I’ve pitched our company and our game.
Startup description: GLITCH is an independent video game label that produces games designed to inspire, challenge, and share story through play. With roots as a community-driven arts and education center, GLITCH directly invests in artists through public programs and funding opportunities.
