WHAT WERE YOUR STRUGGLES AS YOU STARTED THE BUSINESS ?
Starting a farm requires a whole suite of skills and knowledge . Getting all of that information organized was definitely a challenge but one that we were happy to address . We started with the fundamentals of business building and have delved deeper over time .
HOW DID YOU GAIN MARKET SHARE AND RECOGNITION ?
Upstart University , as an offshoot of Bright Agrotech , had an audience from the beginning . Our YouTube audience was significant , and people already knew and trusted the quality of information we had to share . We also had a strong small farm network working with us to build farms across the company . Both of these communities were looking for a solution like Upstart U . When we launched it , it fit into place almost seamlessly and gained traction immediately due to the overwhelming need for accessible farm education .
HAS YOUR COMPANY MOVED OR EXPANDED ?
Upstart University has grown both in the size of the community we serve and the courses we offer . We ’ ve worked with dozens of other industry players who are dedicated to helping small farmers in similar ways as Upstart University , and we ’ ve seen dozens of new farmers build their dream farms .
HOW MANY PEOPLE NOW WORK FOR THE COMPANY ?
Upstart University is manned by a few full-timers and acts as a hub for industry partners ; we work with over a dozen other companies , consultants , and experts who contribute to our curriculum .
WHAT SERVICES DO YOU CURRENTLY OFFER ?
We currently publish several new courses each year , host live webinars and panels , and offer a suite of eBooks in multiple languages for new farmers . Students can enter Upstart University at one of three membership levels : a trial membership , a monthly subscription , and a yearly subscription .
WHERE ARE YOUR STUDENTS LOCATED ?
Upstart University students span the globe . Local food is important everywhere .
WHAT ARE YOUR COMPANY ’ S STRENGTHS ?
The greatest strength of Upstart University is the rich community of farmers and soon-to-be farmers that make up its student body . Our courses are full of people who share a vision of a brighter food future . Their commitment to growing better food for all people is what powers us to do our work .
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR PROUDEST MOMENTS ?
Every time a small farm is launched , we raise a collective cheer . New farmers often spend years planning , sorting out financials , learning the trade , and conducting market research for their farm . The day the farm starts selling is a great reason to celebrate .
“ EVERY TIME A SMALL FARM IS LAUNCHED , WE RAISE A COLLECTIVE CHEER .”
A wing of Bright Agrotech , Upstart University is an educational platform with the mission to teach modern farmers how to plan , start , and manage successful farms . University director Halle Brake discusses how the university is achieving that goal . groundbreakers 99