When most college students are prepping for exams or squeezing in a part-time job, Jonathan Graham is launching a business that’s already changing the way universities help students succeed. As a recent Demo Day funded company in BizWorld’s YES! Program, StudyStash (and it’s founders Jonathan Graham and Ben Ward) are proof of what’s possible when young innovators have access to the right support, mentorship, and a community that believes in their big ideas.

Meet StudyStash: Turning Neuroscience Into Real Student Success

“It was our own experience—being completely overwhelmed by hundreds of pages of slides and readings—that made us realize: something has to change,” Jonathan shares.

StudyStash was born out of the frustration that so many university students feel: too much information, too little guidance. With a product that uses neuroscience to help students learn faster and more confidently, StudyStash bridges the gap between teaching and learning—empowering students, professors, and entire institutions.

And it’s working. StudyStash’s platform helps students zero in on their most challenging concepts, gives professors actionable insights, and helps universities save millions by reducing dropout rates.

Behind the Scenes: A Week in the Life of a YES! Participant

Being a young founder isn’t all pitch decks and high-fives—it’s late nights, endless to-do lists, and juggling an academic life most adults would find exhausting. Here’s what a typical week looked like for Jonathan during the YES! cohort:

• Academic Commitments: As a current college student, Jonathan attended daily lectures and labs, completed advanced coursework, and tackled group projects—all while wrapping up his final exams.
• Internships & Extracurriculars: Like many YES! participants, Jonathan balanced part-time work, club meetings, and personal commitments.
• YES! Weekly Workshops (2 hours): Tuesday evenings meant logging into lively, mentor-led sessions covering everything from marketing and finance to pitching and intellectual property.
• One-on-One Business Coaching: Each week, Jonathan met with an experienced mentor—getting personalized advice on business plans, pitch practice, and real-world problem-solving.
• Business Plan Development & Advisor Meetings: Days were filled with market research, budgeting, and refining StudyStash’s go-to-market strategy, often with input from industry experts.
• Personal Time: Amid all this, Jonathan still found time to connect with friends and family—though, as he admits, “As an entrepreneur it’s very hard to relax sometimes. The to-do list is never ending. But for me, it’s worth it.”

What Makes YES! Different: Community, Mentorship, Real Results

Jonathan is quick to credit the YES! Program for helping him and his co-founder transform a promising product into a scalable business. “Every week, BizWorld brought in people from industry who were the real deal—founders, investors, people scaling companies to hundreds of millions. The advice was actionable. Our mentor Yasmina, who had been at Alphabet, gave us feedback that directly shaped our investment pitch and business plan.”

The impact isn’t just felt in advice. YES! alumni outcomes speak volumes:

• 91 businesses accelerated since 2019
• 188 young entrepreneurs supported
• $140,000 in seed funding awarded
• Alumni companies have surpassed $2.5 million in annual revenue

This is the power of community: “Founding a startup can be lonely, but in YES! we found other young entrepreneurs facing the same challenges. We learned as much from our peers as we did from the mentors.”

From YES! to a Half-Million Dollar Investment

StudyStash’s leap from a promising student startup to a globally ambitious, venture-backed company was no accident.

“The YES! program didn’t just teach us business basics—it pushed us to think globally and equipped us with the tools, skills and networking opportunities to impress investors,” Jonathan explains.

With the polish and confidence developed during YES!, StudyStash was able to raise $500,000 in their first investment round—a milestone Jonathan directly attributes to the experience and network built through the program.

Why YES! Matters—For Today’s Students and Tomorrow’s Innovators

In Jonathan’s words, “There’s just not enough encouragement for entrepreneurship in the school system—at least in Europe. YES! made us think bigger. We moved beyond just the UK and now have pilots in Texas, Amsterdam, and across the UK. Our $5,000 YES! funding is helping us set up a US base, cover legal and visa costs, and keep growing.”

But the benefits go deeper than business growth:

• Thinking outside the box: “You don’t have to have the perfect idea—YES! meets you where you are, connects you to real people, and helps you get where you want to go.”
• Skills for life: “Entrepreneurial thinking isn’t taught in school, but it’s more essential than ever—especially as technology and AI change the job market.”
• Global network: “When we went to California for the competition, we met investors, visited Y Combinator and the Meta office, and got real feedback that pushed us forward. None of that would’ve happened without YES!”

A Message to Future YES! Founders

If you’re a young entrepreneur—or you know one—Jonathan’s advice is simple:

“Just go ahead and apply for YES!. There’s no wrong stage to be at. Whether you just have an idea, or you’re already raising funding, YES! will help you get to the next level. And the network, especially in Silicon Valley, is something you just can’t find anywhere else.”

Why We Need Supporters and Mentors—Now More Than Ever

Jonathan’s story wouldn’t be possible without people who give their time, expertise, or financial support.

“Programs like YES! are what make entrepreneurship possible for young people. Sometimes all it takes is 20 minutes with a mentor to unlock a breakthrough.”

Here’s how you can help:

• Become a YES! mentor: Share your experience, offer advice, and help shape the next generation of business leaders.
  
• Support the YES! Program: Your donation provides seed funding, resources, and life-changing opportunities for young entrepreneurs.

What’s Next?

As the new YES! Summer Cohort launches on June 19th—with applications closed and participants being selected—now is the perfect time to step up as a mentor or donor. Your support doesn’t just fund a business; it builds a legacy of innovation, confidence, and positive change.

When you say “YES!” to supporting young entrepreneurs, you’re unleashing potential that will ripple out for years to come. Thank you for being part of the BizWorld community.

Interested in bringing StudyStash to your university? Visit studystash.com.