Smart Start is a workshop open to all UNA students that offers a hands-on environment designed to teach students how to start their own companies through a series of modules that they learn by doing. Students learn about ideation, team formation, customer discovery, rapid prototyping, and pitch workshops. The event culminates with student teams pitching their ideas to a mock venture capital panel, consisting of business professionals in the community. The panel then gives the teams constructive feedback to help them refine their ideas and business models. The mission of Smart Start Weekend is to kick-start new student-run companies and build entrepreneurial capabilities in students and their university communities.