Rob Zielonka

Founder & Chairmen

Jules Kelly

Co-Founder, CEO

Mike Heiser

Co-Founder, CEO

Back in 2018, a local CT entrepreneur wanted to disrupt the market with his new product, a portable kegerator. However, he faced a challenge: starting his business with little funding and balancing family and a full-time job.

So he devised a solution: college students. He approached two college kids with the idea to connect students to startups – students get real-world experience (and paid), and startups get professional-grade work at an affordable rate. As entrepreneurial minds themselves, Jules and Mike knew this idea was too good not to join.

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Flash forward to now, Startups and Scholars has been successfully providing college students with life-changing internships while directly contributing to the success of passionate local entrepreneurs, like you!

Our Story