This summer, the Dingman Center will be conducting interviews with the 11 student startups who are participating in our first in-person Terp Startup summer accelerator since 2020. Participating student entrepreneurs will receive a stipend up to $5,000 that will enable them to work exclusively on their startups over the next eight weeks.
Founders: Bennett Greenspun ’24, business management major, astronomy minor.
DC: In two to three sentences, how would you describe your startup?
Greenspun: ReGlass is a company that makes glasses with interchangeable lenses so people can save money on frames and express themselves better through their eyewear.
DC: At what point did you know you wanted to create your own startup?
Greenspun: My father is an entrepreneur and has been running his company my whole life, so growing up entrepreneurship was all I saw in regards to what working was like. I liked the idea of freedom in decision-making and not having a boss so I decided early on that it was something I wanted to pursue.
DC: What or who is your biggest influence for your startup?
Greenspun: My father is the biggest influence in my startup because I always go to him for advice, and he has become such a valuable mentor to me while I’ve been building this company.
DC: Why did you decide to start a business in this industry?
Greenspun: I wanted to pursue this idea because it affected me personally. Having to buy new glasses every year or so when my prescription changes is not something I want to do. I wanted to solve this problem so that others didn’t have to go through it.
DC: What updates or significant accomplishments can you share with us about your company from the last six months?
Greenspun: Right after coming up with the idea in January I applied to the Pitch Dingman Competition for the Fearless Ideas track. I got to the finals where I could pitch in front of judges and won. I received $5,000 and admission to the Terp Startup Accelerator summer incubator, which gave another $5,000. I have made significant progress prototyping and am 1 to 2 months away from having physical glasses for people to try out.
DC: As a student business owner, what motivates you?
Greenspun: Having full control over my decisions is what motivates me. Throughout all of elementary, middle, and high school most of my big decisions were made for me, and to some extent, even in college, you are bound to your classes and degree requirements. Owning a business and being able to have full control gives me a sense of freedom that motivates me to keep going.
DC: What do you feel that you have achieved from participating in Terp Startup Accelerator this summer?
Greenspun: I have deeply learned about the many aspects of starting a business and know that even if this business fails, this information will stay with me and could be useful for starting a different business. I picked up information that I know will last.
DC: If you could give advice to any aspiring entrepreneurs, what would it be??
Greenspun: My advice would be to just start. A lot of people spend time being dreamers, thinking about ideas or the best possible way to implement but are afraid to start. The best way to go about it is to just build. Your first version will suck, but that’s the first step to making something that people will eventually want.
To learn more about ReGlass, please contact Bennett Greenspun.