New AI JetPack Accelerates the Entrepreneurial Process

New AI JetPack Accelerates the Entrepreneurial Process

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs once referred to the computer as a bicycle for the mind. Now, MIT’s Martin Trust Center for Entrepreneurship has something with a lot more horsepower.

According to Bill Aulet, managing director of the center, the newly launched MIT Entrepreneurship JetPack is a generative AI tool designed to supercharge entrepreneurship. “Maybe it’s not a Ferrari yet, but we have a car,” Aulet says, emphasizing the tool’s potential. The JetPack is powered by Aulet’s 24-step Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework and allows users to input prompts into large language models for swift, detailed responses.

What Does the AI JetPack Do?

Essentially, the AI JetPack acts like a personal group of MIT students, rapidly conducting research and returning answers to specific entrepreneurial queries. “It’s like having 5, 10, or 12 MIT undergraduates who instantly run out and do all the research you want, then bring back the answer,” Aulet explains. This tool is currently available to MIT entrepreneurship students and is being piloted externally. Prospective users can join a waitlist to gain access.

The Power of Orbit

The JetPack is integrated into the Trust Center’s Orbit platform, which was initially launched for student use in 2019. Orbit emerged as a dynamic alternative to the Trust Center’s static website, designed to meet students where they spend most of their time: on their phones. The platform offers a one-stop shop for all entrepreneurial resources, from course offerings to startup competitions and even expert guidance on startup ideas.

“We weren’t following our own protocols of entrepreneurship,” Aulet admits. “You need to meet students where they are, and more and more, they were on their phones.” With the support of Trust Center Executive Director Paul Cheek and Product Lead Doug Williams, Orbit became a pivotal resource for student entrepreneurs.

Data-Driven Development

Since Orbit’s inception, the Trust Center has been closely analyzing user behaviors. This data has provided key insights into how students prefer to navigate the platform, from accessing course information to seeking advice on their entrepreneurial endeavors. This user-centric approach has also drawn on advice from experts like Ethan Mollick, a Wharton School professor and AI thought leader.

JetPack: A Six-Month Journey

Work on the Eship JetPack began about six months ago with a clear goal in mind: to accelerate the entrepreneurial process. The name “JetPack” was inspired by the image of a jet pack providing a burst of acceleration, but still requiring human direction for maximum impact. As the team shifted from information capture to providing actionable guidance, frameworks like MIT’s Disciplined Entrepreneurship and Startup Tactics were key to shaping the tool’s capabilities.

Beta Test Success

One of the earliest beta users, Shari Van Cleave, demonstrated the JetPack’s effectiveness in a YouTube video. She input an idea for mobile electric vehicle charging, and within seconds, the JetPack suggested market segments, beachhead markets, a business model, pricing structures, and even a product plan. This rapid output covered seven of the 24 steps of the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework.

Van Cleave was particularly impressed with the AI’s ability to generate recommendations for market-sizing (TAM) and customer value models. “Having a high-quality rough draft means founders, whether new or experienced, can execute and fundraise faster,” she said.

An Entrepreneurial Revolution

The AI JetPack isn’t just for new entrepreneurs. Seasoned founders can also benefit by using the tool to refine their business strategies, gain insights into better markets, or improve their company’s performance. As Aulet puts it, “Our goal is to elevate the field of entrepreneurship, and a tool like this will empower more people to become entrepreneurs and be better at it.”

For other AI-driven platforms helping industries evolve, check out how prefabricated data centers are scaling to meet AI workload demands.

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