Step into our dynamic Entrepreneurial Summer Internship (ESI) Program, where ten remarkable student teams are granted a transformative summer job opportunity. During the season, they will have the opportunity to unleash their entrepreneurial spirit, crafting businesses from scratch, and accessing top-tier mentors, educational workshops, and a generous stipend. Meet our entrepreneurs and discover what inspires them and fuels their journey.
Meet Alexander Choi and Christina Lee, Co-Founders of Flouri Technologies
What does your company do?
Our company focuses on AI watermarking, aiming to enhance the modern innovation of AI with Cyber Security to protect user privacy, user creation with AI, and functionality.
What drew you to entrepreneurship?
Alexander: I was drawn to entrepreneurship for its independence and the opportunity to create something from an idea. I've been creative since a young age and am often inspired by stories like those of Apple and Google, which started in a garage and grew into large corporate entities. After meeting some fantastic people at Western, we knew it was our chance to create something new and give it a shot—in this case, entrepreneurship.
Christina: I am a first-generation student in my family. When my parents immigrated to Canada, they had barriers and limited resources. As I grew up, I watched them persevere and create a stable life for my family, no matter how challenging life gets. They would never give up, take risks, and challenge themselves by learning new things. This inspired and motivated me to explore outside of my comfort circle, which led to creating a business alongside my co-founders to produce a product that can be utilized for future AI technology.
Elaborate on your business venture. What problem are you solving, and what is your unique approach?
At Flouri Technologies, we focus on enhancing AI security. Our mission includes watermarking AI creations to guarantee their originality and implementing filters to ensure safe and appropriate outputs from AI systems.
What are you hoping to accomplish over the summer at ESI?
Alexander: At ESI, we aim to develop an effective marketing plan to reach a broader demographic for our product. Collaborating with a creative and like-minded team within the ESI program, we seek to learn from others and succeed in marketing and expanding into the tech market.
Christina: We hope to market our product to potential clients and build connections so others can see its advantages. This will improve our business' marketing and word-of-mouth while opening our minds to learning new things daily.
If your business had a theme song, what would it be?
Alexander: The Iron Man Theme Song.
Christina: The Grid from TRON Legacy.
Who is your biggest entrepreneurial inspiration?
Alexander: My biggest entrepreneurial inspiration would be John Mullins. He is a well-known speaker who provides advice on becoming a professional entrepreneur. I recommend watching his TedTalks or similar TedTalks that teach you the mindset of being an entrepreneur and how it differentiates from traditional business.
Christina: Elon Musk inspires me because of his innovative vision for the future. He is willing to take risks, and his technical expertise has influenced me to pursue AI and strive to create impactful technologies. I recommend that aspiring student entrepreneurs read the biographies of many great, successful entrepreneurs. It can be scary, and it takes risks, but everyone comes from small beginnings. Learn how others started their businesses and what big decisions improved their lives.