Building a Purpose-Driven Startup at UVA Darden

Why It Matters

The experience demonstrates that deep mentorship and community-driven strategies can accelerate purpose‑driven startups, offering a blueprint for investors and universities seeking sustainable entrepreneurial growth.

Key Takeaways

• i.Lab provides structured mentorship, resources, and community for founders.
• Founder emphasizes “do things that don’t scale” to build personal connections.
• Non‑alcoholic beverage and events app aim to celebrate responsibly.
• UVA/Darden relationships foster long‑term, non‑transactional support for entrepreneurs.
• Case method and entrepreneurship classes sharpen communication and strategic skills.

Summary

The video showcases Christina Washington, a second‑year Darden MBA, launching [8:12] Co., a purpose‑driven startup that offers a non‑alcoholic beverage and an events‑discovery app designed to let people celebrate without compromising faith or health. She credits UVA’s i.Lab and Darden’s entrepreneurship ecosystem for giving her a structured path from idea to launch.

Washington highlights how i.Lab supplied mentors, frameworks, and a tight‑knit community that helped her refine the business model. A pivotal piece of advice from alum Patt Eagan—“do things that don’t scale”—prompted her to personally reach out to early users, building trust and a loyal support base rather than relying solely on automated outreach.

“Why do you spend so much time with me?” Washington recalls, underscoring the depth of mentorship she received. The emphasis on genuine, non‑transactional relationships, both within the UVA network and Darden’s case‑method training, reinforced her confidence and communication skills.

The story illustrates how purpose‑aligned ventures can thrive when backed by institutional resources and a culture of personal connection. For investors and aspiring founders, it signals that the next wave of consumer‑focused startups may emerge from academic incubators that prioritize mentorship over scale‑first tactics.

Original Description

What does it take to build a mission-driven startup while earning an MBA?

In this inspiring founder story, Darden School of Business student Christina Washington shares how mentorship, community, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem at the University of Virginia helped her turn a deeply personal vision into [8:12] Co. — a company helping people celebrate without compromising their faith or health through non-alcoholic beverages and an alcohol-free events discovery app.

Alongside Darden alum and entrepreneur Patt Eagan, co-founder of Common Wealth Crush in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Christina reflects on the challenges of building a startup from the ground up, the importance of authentic relationships, and the encouragement that helped her keep going when the journey felt uncertain.

At the heart of this conversation is a simple but powerful piece of startup advice:

👉 “Do things that don’t scale.”

From personally connecting with early supporters to building community one relationship at a time, this video highlights the human side of entrepreneurship — the resilience, mentorship, and belief that fuel founders long before success becomes visible.

This story also showcases the impact of the Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology and the UVA Darden i.Lab, where aspiring founders gain the mentorship, structure, and support needed to turn ideas into meaningful ventures. Through programs like these, Darden empowers the next generation of entrepreneurs to lead with purpose, innovation, and courage.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, MBA student, startup founder, or someone pursuing a mission-driven career, this conversation offers practical insights and genuine inspiration for building something that matters.

Learn more:

Darden School of Business → https://www.darden.virginia.edu/

Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology → https://batten.virginia.edu/

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