Take a look into our dynamic Entrepreneurship Summer Internship (ESI) program, where outstanding students are granted a transformative summer job opportunity. During this season, they will have the chance to grow their entrepreneurial spirit, refine their business idea, and gain access to top mentors, educational workshops, and a generous stipend. Meet our 2025 ESI cohort and discover what inspires them on their journey.
Meet Joshua Lee, Scarlett Machado, and Artemis Cherkaev, the founders of We Build
We Build is a social enterprise that empowers students to build technical skills and work on hands-on, community-focused design projects! We don’t just simulate work; we build tangible solutions to community challenges.
What drew you to entrepreneurship?
Joshua: I’m not particularly drawn to entrepreneurship but more to building large-scale projects. I enjoy building random crafts in my free time, and upon hearing about the opportunity to work with a start-up business, I was excited to see whether I could effectively contribute to the team.
Scarlett: I want to be an entrepreneur because I love entrepreneurship's creativity, problem-solving, and independence. It’s exciting to take risks, learn from challenges, and be free to shape my path and vision.
Artemis: I want to be an entrepreneur so I can help build a better world and provide opportunities to people they otherwise would struggle to access. Through entrepreneurship, I am able to achieve my goals. :)
Elaborate on your business venture. What problem are you solving, and what is your unique approach?
We Build addresses the gap between technical education and real-world impact by empowering students to create hands-on, community-focused design projects. Many students lack meaningful work experience, while communities face overlooked challenges; our model connects the two! Doing so, we help students grow as entrepreneurs while creating lasting, positive change.
How did you encounter this problem, and why did it appeal to you?
Joshua: University courses often focus more on theory than hands-on experience. I enjoyed Engineering Design because it allowed me to apply technical skills to solve real problems in a team. I want to create similar opportunities for other students to grow professionally and personally.
Scarlett: I first noticed this problem when interviewing for a summer internship. The company asked why I wasn’t part of any build teams, and I realized it was because, coming into university, I didn’t have much hands-on experience. Joining a build team felt intimidating, and I didn’t feel qualified. We Build aims to change that by creating a safe, inclusive space where students can confidently explore their interests and gain valuable hands-on experience.
Artemis: University courses and material oftentimes focus on theory and conceptual concepts instead of practical and hands-on experiences. My favourite first-year engineering course was Engineering Design because it allowed me to work alongside a team and utilize the technical skills I learned through building a project that addressed a local community challenge. I would love to be able to provide opportunities just like this to fellow students so that they can develop not only in the workplace but also in their lives.
What are you hoping to accomplish for your start-up at ESI?
At ESI, we want to grow our start-up by building a strong online presence, sharing hands-on technical content, and launching impactful student-led projects. We aim to engage with students and community members to understand their needs better and shape our club around real-world projects and relevant skills. Additionally, we plan to solidify our operations by incorporating federally, establishing essential infrastructure, and creating a sustainable foundation for future growth.
When you need a dose of inspiration, do you have a favourite song to play?
Joshua: Monaco by Lorien Testard.
Artemis: Levels by Avicii
Do you have a quote or book that inspires you, or encapsulates your entrepreneurship journey?
Artemis: “I finally found my rhythm when I realized that even the steps backwards were just part of the dance.”
- Melody Godfred