CougarCSInterest FormInterest Form

StartupLaunchpad

w/ Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship

Interest form opens after the showcase on Oct 5

Interest form open through [closing date TBD]

Interest FormInterest FormAttend the showcase

Showcase: Mon, Oct 5 | 5:30 - 7:00 PM | PGH 563

How it works

  1. Submit the interest form

    It opens after the showcase on Oct 5 and stays open through [closing date TBD]. List your skills and the roles you want.

  2. Get matched

    Join one startup and contribute to its product, working directly with the founder.

  3. Contributions verified

    The startup verifies your work, so you can list it on your resume.

Participating startups

5 registered LLCs founded through the Wolff Center. Each one is building a product and recruiting technical help.

  • OVERSYTE

    AI loss prevention that turns the cameras already installed at gas stations, convenience stores and truck stops into real-time theft detection.

    What they need: Computer vision models, integration with existing camera systems, instant alerts with incident clips, and a dashboard for reviewing incidents.

    • Computer vision
    • AI/ML
    • Full-stack

  • TekhneAI

    Procurement automation that links sales and supplier platforms, saving companies money and the hours admins spend on manual purchasing.

    What they need: An audit of the current build, a security review for client data, and help making automated purchase-order drafts accurate enough for admin approval.

    • Automation
    • Security
    • Architecture

  • circl

    A social app that helps college students make friends on campus and stay on top of campus events.

    What they need: A functional mobile prototype that demos the core features and user experience, beyond a Figma mockup.

    • Mobile
    • Full-stack
    • UI/UX

  • Chartline Health

    Turns the blood screenings self-insured employers already pay for into an employee-owned health record that flags worrying biomarker trends early and books follow-up care.

    What they need: Backend for a Next.js/TypeScript front end: a HIPAA-eligible Postgres or FHIR store, lab ingestion from FHIR, HL7 v2 and PDFs normalized to LOINC, and trend detection with LLM summaries routed to clinician review.

    • Backend
    • Data pipelines
    • LLM

  • Recovery Rush

    Quick hydration for the nightlife crowd: an electrolyte vending machine with a free water dispenser.

    What they need: Design for an eye-catching touchscreen vending machine that explains electrolytes and hangover effects and is easy to use.

    • Hardware/IoT
    • UI/UX
    • Product design
Interest FormInterest Form

Program details

Organizers
CougarCS and the Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship, University of Houston
Startups
OVERSYTE, TekhneAI, circl, Chartline Health, Recovery Rush. All 5 are registered LLCs founded through the Wolff Center.
Roles
Software engineering, full-stack, mobile, AI/ML, computer vision, data, automation, cybersecurity/cloud, hardware/IoT, UI/UX
The work
Building a startup's real product for actual customers and deployment. This is not a hackathon or a class project.
What you get
Direct work with the founders, portfolio material, and contributions the startup verifies for your resume
Showcase
Mon, Oct 5, 5:30 - 7:00 PM, PGH 563
Interest form
Opens after the showcase on Oct 5, open through [closing date TBD]
Time commitment
[TBD]
Who can apply
[TBD]

Interest form

The form opens after the showcase on Oct 5. Come meet the founders first, then apply to the startup you want to join.

Fill out the form to be matched with a startup. It's open through [closing date TBD].

Showcase: Mon, Oct 5, 5:30 - 7:00 PM
PGH 563, University of Houston

Google Form

What you'll be asked

  • Name and UH email
  • Your year
  • GitHub or LinkedIn (optional)
  • Which startups and roles you want
Interest FormInterest Form

Opens after the showcase on Oct 5.