Blazers, Resumes, and Business Cards

Reflecting on the 5th Annual Sit Down with Startups (SDWS)

February 28, 2025

By Ngaatendwe Manyika, MEAM '27

SWE board members in charge of organizing the Sit Down with Startups event

Last Friday, I attended the Penn SWE’s’ 5th Annual Sit Down With Startups event in Levine Lobby, Engineering Quad. Our VP External Jada Hembrador, invited 18 startup companies to the event and I had the opportunity to converse with three of them. With over 70 students present, the atmosphere in the room was electric. SDWS was created in 2020 to introduce students to startup culture in a career-fair style event. It was a night of meaningful conversations, fresh ideas, and valuable connections.

I met with three companies which had various levels of mechanical engineering concentrations. As a sophomore in mechanical engineering looking to expand my horizons in industry I was spoilt for choice! The first company that caught my eye was NearStar Fusion, a pioneering fusion energy startup focused on developing commercially viable fusion power plants. One of the representatives (who also happened to be a co-founder) walked me through their plasma gun facilities and the theory behind the energy generation techniques used at NearStar. Since I plan to concentrate on energy, thermal fluids and thermodynamics, I found this chat highly insightful. I also had the chance to speak to Ardent, a company focused on advanced membrane technologies to accelerate decarbonization and transform the global industrial and energy landscape. Last summer, I did research in the fabrication process of nano-porous devices so the nanotechnology and atomically thin membrane aspect of this company really drew me in.

Finally I met with Burro, a company that specializes in autonomous mobility to make work outdoors more efficient. As the secretary of the Mars Rover Club at Penn, I was most excited to connect with them as they build rovers of similar nature. They showed me their business model, outreach program, and the mechanical engineering dream. 

Sit Down with Startups gave me the chance to network and visualize my future in the industry. Beyond gaining insight into emerging technologies, I had the chance to practice articulating my experiences and interests in a professional setting, which will be invaluable in my search for summer internships. The companies provided a much needed breakdown of Startup culture, innovation processes, and a desire to build tight-knit teams. Their presence offered an exciting avenue for young engineers like me to make a tangible impact in our careers. This event was a perfect mix of business casual from the dressing to the relaxed conversations with company representatives. I look forward to the success and expansion of this project as SWE engages with more companies and connects with more students.

You can find more information about the companies in attendance here. 

Check out our LinkedIn and Instagram posts from SDWS!