An interview with Ruben Cantu about the importance of product management
June 28, 2024LMNTS is more than just a program creator; it’s a movement to empower college students through entrepreneurship. Our journey began in 2016 with the LevelUp Institute, where we took six students and tested the feasibility of teaching them entrepreneurship. Bootstrapped and fueled by passion, our pilot saw remarkable success. Students from LevelUp have since secured six-figure jobs in tech companies and launched their own ventures, creating a lasting impact on their careers.
Building on this success, we scaled our efforts at the University of Texas at Austin, developing two significant programs within the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement:
- Product Prodigy Institute: This program focused on product management, executive leadership, and entrepreneurship, helping students launch companies and secure funding or get hired as associate product managers.
- WIELD Texas: The Women’s Initiative for Entrepreneurship and Leadership Development aimed to empower women of color with executive leadership and entrepreneurship skills, preparing them for influential roles across various sectors.
Both programs have garnered national and global recognition. Product Prodigy won the national HSI Battle of the Brains competition in 2023 and WIELD was honored with a Promise Award by the United Nations on World Logic Day in Austin, Texas, in January 2023.
Despite these successes, the programs have since been closed at the university. We are now continuing this important work outside of the university to expand its reach and impact.
The real success lies in the stories of our students. They’ve described our programs as the secret to their success, a testament to the transformative power of our approach. We welcome you to explore their testimonials and stories on our website.
Why Brownsville?
Brownsville is at a pivotal moment, with major corporations like SpaceX and LNG reshaping its economic landscape. However, rapid growth often brings challenges, including rising living costs and displacement. We chose Brownsville to address these inequities, providing opportunities for local residents to thrive amid this economic boom.
Our Frontera Leadership Institute’s 12-week pilot program aims to build community partnerships and foster a collaborative environment. We believe in the potential of Brownsville’s rich entrepreneurial history and want to reignite the passion and vision of this community for the next 10-20 years.
Join Us
We invite you to learn more about our mission and the impact we hope to achieve. Connect with us via email at contactus@lmnts.org and consider applying to the Frontera Leadership Institute. The application deadline is July 27th, and the program is completely free for accepted students. We seek individuals with grit and determination—students ready to make a difference.
Thank you for joining us on this journey. Together, we can create a better future for Brownsville and beyond.
Rubén
Founder and Executive Director
LMNTS
