Engineering education equips students to imagine what’s possible. Turning that possibility into a viable product or venture requires a different kind of learning, one that is grounded in the messy realities of entrepreneurship. In the lab, success is measured in precision; in the startup world, it’s measured in traction. Between those two worlds lies a gap that aspiring entrepreneurs can struggle to cross.
Now, The Sugi and Millie Widjaja Entrepreneurship Fellows Program at Penn Engineering prepares students to do just that and more, offering a uniquely immersive experience for a select group of young engineers poised to become tomorrow’s entrepreneurs.
Launched in 2023 under the visionary guidance of Tom Cassel, Practice Professor in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics and Director Emeritus of Penn Engineering Entrepreneurship, and backed by alumni champions Sugi Widjaja (ENG’00) and Millie Wan (W’01), this competitive program blends rigorous coursework, mentorship and real-world startup experience.
“Programs like this demystify the startup world,” says Vanessa Chan (ENG’94), Jonathan and Linda Brassington Practice Professor in Materials Science and Engineering and Vice Dean of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Penn Engineering. “Students walk away with the confidence and knowledge to launch companies, join startups or become the next generation of venture investors.”
