This summer, the Dingman Center will be conducting interviews with the ten student startups who are participating in the Terp Startup summer accelerator phase of our Fearless Founders program. Participating student entrepreneurs received a stipend up to $5,000 that would enable them to work exclusively on their startups over eight weeks in the summer.

LzyFarmer

Founder: Rob Ginsberg, MBA ’18

DC: Tell us about your startup. What problem are you solving and for whom?

Ginsberg: LzyFarmer focuses on bring technology to the home garden. As the millennial generation continues to be more attracted to healthier food, this has translated into an interest and desire to garden. However, there is one problem, a large portion of them were never taught how to garden. LzyFarmer aims to bridge this knowledge gap by using a data driven approach to drive actions in the garden.

DC: How did you first come up with your idea?

Ginsberg: After I graduated college and entered the workforce I decided I needed a hobby. My grandfather was a farmer so I decided to look into gardening. Quickly I realized how much I enjoyed growing different plants and vegetables, but also how much I didn’t know. As I started to research how to grow plants, I kept thinking there had to be a better way to teach and show people what to do in the garden. After not being able to find a solution and asking others about the idea, I decided to build it.

DC: What are some major milestones you’ve achieved so far?

Ginsberg: We have setup back-end operations and completed the initial wireframe, data structure and flow of the app. We are in the process of developing the app prototype and back-end algorithms. Beyond the technology, we have completed (but it is a continuing process) initial agriculture research. Last, we have started and are continuing to complete customer research and development.

DC: What drives you to keep going?

Ginsberg: Love for growing ‘things’ and desire to learn. Every time a plant sprouts or a pepper pops out on a plant, it brings a sense of awe and wonderment to me. Being able to combine that wonderment with my passion for technology keeps me excited and pushing forward.

DC: How do you feel about working in a cohort with fellow student entrepreneurs?

Ginsberg: I think it’s great! Everyone in the group has different backgrounds, skills and knowledge. The ability to bounce ideas off or get advice from them only helps me improve my business and self and pushes us all raise our games.

DC: What are you hoping to achieve during Terp Startup this summer?

Ginsberg: I have 3 milestones / goals: 1. strengthen the back-end operations, 2. complete further agricultural and customer research, and 3. complete and launch an initial prototype of the app to begin testing. I have created tasks/steps around these 3 goals and push to complete them within the next 6 weeks.