From tackling global security challenges to leading Michigan’s oldest entrepreneurship club, Samantha Jayasundera has built an impressive entrepreneurial journey at the University of Michigan. Her passion for innovation, problem-solving, and leadership has shaped not only her academic path but also her impact on the entrepreneurial ecosystem at Michigan and beyond.
Finding a Home in Entrepreneurship
Samantha’s introduction to the Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE) was, in her words, “on a whim.” During her first semester, she stumbled upon ENTR 390.050: Organizational Values & Ethics in Startups through an Engineering First Year Orientation Canvas page. That one course sparked a journey that would see her take at least one entrepreneurship class every semester since.
Since that first class, Samantha has immersed herself in Michigan’s entrepreneurial opportunities, taking part in Perot Jain TechLab Climate Change, (PJTL Climate Change) Innovation for Impact: Defense & Security, MPowered, and the Minor in Entrepreneurship. These experiences have allowed her to engage in hands-on learning, collaborate with global organizations, and drive real-world impact.
Real-World Impact: From Climate Tech to National Security
Samantha’s entrepreneurial spirit is evident in her hands-on work through CFE programs. As a freshman, she was accepted into PJTL Climate Change as the youngest person in the cohort, working with SkyNano, a carbon-capture technology startup. Her team conducted a techno-economic analysis and market research to help scale their technology globally.
By her sophomore year, she was diving into the world of defense innovation through Innovation for Impact: Defense & Security, where she and her team partnered with the United States Space Force to improve nuclear detection efficiency.
Over the course of 13 weeks, they connected with over 100 beneficiaries across all seven continents. “At the final pitch event, my team and I delivered feasible, cost-effective recommendations to decrease failure rates by approximately 50% and save time through mechanical and electrical automation.”
Leading Michigan’s Entrepreneurial Community
Currently serving as Co-President of MPowered, Samantha has played a pivotal role in expanding Michigan’s entrepreneurship scene. Before stepping into this leadership role, she served as Director of MTank, Michigan’s Shark Tank-style pitch competition. Under her leadership, MTank saw:
- 555% increase in community engagement
- 64% increase in applications
- 154% increase in funding
- Launch of a pre-competition mentorship program
“It was a really exciting time to see the pitching, leadership, and organizational skills I have learned through CFE come into play,” she said.
The Entrepreneurial Mindset
For Samantha, having an entrepreneurial mindset means being “creative, resilient, and resourceful to solve challenges.” This mindset has been a core part of her identity since childhood.
“I was always finding new ways to creatively solve challenges – I find it really fun. One of my earliest memories of this was when I did gymnastics in elementary school, and I constructed a gymnastics training apparatus to assist with practicing my back handspring without the need for a spotter nearby using arbitrary items from around my house.”
That creative problem-solving has translated into real-world innovation. In high school, she co-founded Sankofa Empowering Women in Ghana (SEWING), the only international program advocating against child labor and female exploitation in the Kayayei labor cycle in Ghana. SEWING has been featured at the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates twice, with partnerships and supporters spanning five continents.
Competing on a National Stage
Samantha’s skills in pitching and entrepreneurship have earned her national recognition. In 2024, she competed in the U.S. Department of Energy’s EnergyTech University Prize and won a national award and $25,000 with her project KelpNext. The idea, inspired by marine ecosystems, uses kelp-inspired marine energy converters to generate electricity from ocean currents and wave motion while reducing wave strength in coastal regions vulnerable to extreme marine-based weather events.
Her success didn’t stop there. She also won $4,000 from optiMize for pitching SEWING and helped award $8,000 to student entrepreneurs through MTank.
Advice for Future Entrepreneurs
Samantha encourages students to take full advantage of Michigan’s entrepreneurial resources. “Do it! UofM has one of the best entrepreneurship programs and some of the best resources in the country. Getting involved with entrepreneurship at Michigan has been one of the best decisions – if not, the best decision – in my college career.”
Her passion for entrepreneurship isn’t slowing down anytime soon. With aspirations to become a technology and social entrepreneur, she is already working at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory’s space systems development division, continuing her work on cutting-edge space programs.
Looking Ahead
Samantha is excited to continue engaging with CFE and the broader Michigan entrepreneurship community. “Michigan has one of the strongest, most passionate entrepreneurship climates in the country, and I love it.” She looks forward to leading MPowered’s upcoming events and making an even greater impact.
From building innovative solutions to leading student entrepreneurs, Samantha Jayasundera is a shining example of the power of an entrepreneurial mindset. Her journey is just getting started, and we can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next.