How to Validate and Launch Your First Tech Venture
When I built the original system that would eventually become UpAhead, I wasn’t trying to create a startup. I was just looking for a way to keep myself organized. Balancing coursework, fraternity leadership, and personal development, I needed a tool to track my schedule, habits, and responsibilities. So, I did what I knew best, I built a spreadsheet.
What started as a simple tool for tracking habits and tasks quickly evolved. I added automation, gamified my routines, and created a system that kept me focused. The system worked so well that friends started asking for their own versions. Before long, I sold over $1,000 worth of customized spreadsheet planners to other students looking for the same structure. That was my MVP—a lightweight, manual solution that proved real demand existed.
Test Interest Before You Build
Many founders make the mistake of rushing to build a product before proving there’s demand. I almost did the same. But instead of jumping straight into software development, I pitched the concept to student groups I had existing connections with like fraternities and sororities. I explained how it could help them stay on top of assignments, deadlines, and personal goals. To my surprise, forty-five people paid for a product that wasn’t even built yet. That was the validation I needed—people were clearly willing to pay for the solution.
Validation doesn’t require a polished product. It requires conversation, clarity, and a willingness to test early. You can pre-sell, run surveys, or just start asking people what they actually need. Either way, confirmation should come before code.
Leverage AI-Assisted Coding to Bridge Knowledge Gaps
Once I validated the idea, the next challenge was turning my spreadsheet into a tech platform. I didn’t have a background in programming and I’m not a fan of no-code platforms like Bubble. They can create more problems than they solve, especially when it comes time to scale or transition to a fully coded solution.
Instead, I turned to AI-assisted coding tools. Platforms like Cursor, v0, Lovable, and Claude helped me go from concept to product by generating clean, usable code from natural language prompts. Watching how these tools structured code gave me insight into frameworks and logic flows which is something that drag-and-drop interfaces don’t teach.
I didn’t take online coding courses or bootcamps. I learned by watching people build on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube, such as @rileybrown_ai and @Corbin_Brown, and paid special attention to how non-technical founders were using AI to generate working applications. You don’t have to be an engineer to start a tech company, but you do need to understand the technical side of what you’re building, at least well enough to communicate with developers and investors.
Connect with a Network of Experienced Innovators
Even with validation and an MVP, I knew I needed structure and mentorship to take UpAhead to the next level. That’s when I joined the Boyd Innovation Center’s pre-accelerator program.
The ColaStarts program gave me access to a community of founders, mentors, and resources that helped me refine my pitch, understand my target market, and think strategically about growth. The structured support made a huge difference, especially when it came to learning how to communicate my vision effectively to potential users and investors.
If you’re an early-stage founder, finding a support network like this is invaluable. Whether it’s an accelerator, incubator, or even just a local startup group, surrounding yourself with people who’ve been through the process can save you from making costly mistakes.
Key Takeaways for First-Time Founders
Looking back, there are a few major lessons I’d share with anyone trying to launch their first tech startup:
Validate first. Don’t build in a vacuum. Network with folks and confirm interest in your product by pre-selling or talking to potential customers.
Start simple. Your first version doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to work well enough to prove the concept.
Use AI to your advantage. Tools like Cursor and Claude can help non-technical founders generate and understand code.
Avoid shortcuts that limit growth. No-code platforms can create technical debt. Use tools that help you understand the product you're building—this knowledge will be crucial when working with developers and making future decisions.
Find a support system. Joining the Boyd Innovation Center gave me structure, mentorship, and a community that helped UpAhead grow.
Be willing to adapt. The startup journey is all about learning, iterating, and refining as you go.
Starting a tech company might seem overwhelming, but it’s more accessible than ever before. With the right approach—validating, iterating, and seeking out the right resources—anyone can turn an idea into a thriving business.
If you’re sitting on an idea, ask yourself: Have I validated it? Have I tested it with real users? If not, that’s where you start. Once you have that confirmation, the path to launching your first tech venture becomes a whole lot clearer.
Thomas Lentine recently graduated from the University of South Carolina (USC) with a Master’s in Human Resources. While in undergrad at USC, he created complex spreadsheets to keep track of his coursework—something that quickly spread among friends and fraternity brothers. That experience sparked the idea for UpAhead, a platform designed to help students stay organized by turning their syllabi into a clear plan for the semester. Originally from New Jersey, Thomas loves to travel, read, exercise and meet new people.
