From Beirut to Silicon Valley: The resilient journey of a UC NEXT Innovation Scholar

NIS student Yasmine Shaban and parents. Photo/Yasmine Shaban

This summer, Shaban was selected for the prestigious True Ventures fellowship, a coveted stepping stone for those eager to immerse themselves in Silicon Valley's burgeoning startup and venture capital innovative environment.

Founded in 2009, the fellowship offers rising college juniors and seniors a unique opportunity to gain a foothold in prominent companies within the True Ventures portfolio. Unlike an accelerator program, the fellowship serves as a crucible for aspiring entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, allowing them to collaborate, refine their skills, gain invaluable experience and build networks that could define their futures.

From thousands of applicants nationwide, Shaban was selected as one of just 22 fellows, joining an elite group including students from Stanford, Georgetown and Vanderbilt.

The application process stretched over four months and involved several rounds of interviews.

"It was an incredibly demanding and rewarding experience," Shaban reflected. "As a NIS student, I feel fortunate to be part of it. I'm only the second UC student to be selected since 2019, which makes this opportunity even more special. It was an honor to be surrounded by such successful minds from a wide range of industries."

Yasmine Shaban, UC student and NEXT Innovation Scholar. Photo/Yasmine Shaban

The fellowship was a hybrid experience, matching students with opportunities for in-person collaboration with True Ventures and virtual work with their portfolio companies. Shaban earned her placement with Hatch, a growth-stage startup. As a UX researcher, she worked alongside a design team composed almost entirely of ex-IDEO designers, a rare opportunity that has significantly expanded her knowledge and skills.

Shaban noted True Ventures' impressive track record of early-stage investing in companies like Peloton, Blue Bottle Coffee, Goodreads and Duo Mobile.

"They taught us the ins and outs of venture capital, from securing a deal to exploring pockets where future startups could exist," she said.

However, one of the highlights of her summer was the chance to work with Jeff Veen, design partner and head of platform, at True Ventures.

A Silicon Valley leader with a history of innovation, Veen founded Adaptive Path and Measure Map, which was acquired by Google, where he served as an executive. The True team's mentorship gave Shaban access to significant insights about the intersection of design and technology with an unparalleled glimpse into the world of venture capital - a world Shaban is eager to make her own.

Balancing her responsibilities to her family in Lebanon and her education as a rising leader in the NIS program, Shaban's summer has been a reality masterclass in time management, shuttling between San Francisco and Cincinnati, embodying the grit, determination and courage that has defined her journey thus far.

"I am so grateful for everything," Shaban said. "Pressure is a privilege, and so I hope and aim to make the best of everything regardless of my circumstances."

For Shaban, this fellowship was more than just a summer program; it was the beginning of a journey that could define the next chapter of her career. And as the first UC student to break into this prestigious circle in half a decade, she's paving the way for others to follow.

Featured image at top: True Venture Fellows. Photo/Yasmine Shaban