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Startup Institute - CLOSED

Boston

About Startup Institute

Location: Boston

Please note: This school is closed and is no longer accepting students. The SwitchUp team no longer monitors this page for updates, but historical information is available for reference.

Courses at Startup Institute help students build the technical skills and network that will launch them into the growing tech community.

Startup's 12-week part-time "nights & weekends" courses feature a number of career-changing benefits including access... Read More

Courses

Coding with Ruby on Rails (Nights & Weekends)

Cost: $9,500
Duration: 12 weeks
Locations: Boston
In-person Only
Course Description:

The web development track will give you advanced knowledge of Rails, training on how innovative companies are using it, time to hack, and mentorship from experienced developers.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics says web development job opportunities will grow 27% by 2024. For the tech industry, startups, and established companies that want to innovate, a skilled developer is vital.

Our web development track focuses on Ruby on Rails. RoR enables developers to get products to market quickly compared to other languages. For companies, this means they can have an edge; for our students, this means that their skills are in-demand and highly employable. Using Rails as a vehicle, the web development coursework encourages logic and problem-solving skills that will enable you to overcome challenges no matter what language you’re working with.

The program begins with the fundamentals of model-view-controller architecture. Lesson delivery includes a series of Rails labs and opportunities to work on real project deliverables both individually and collaboratively. Weekly workshops will give you exposure to topics such as test-driven development, git, AJAX, and API’s. Throughout your eight weeks, you’ll engineer deliverables that prove your abilities as an effective developer and teammate.

Key Skills and Capabilities:

Setting up a dev environment: brew, Xcode, RVM, git
MVC basics: intro to model-view-controller architecture
Building and testing a Rails application
Source control management and cloud-based deployment
Employing collaborative approaches to overcome coding challenges

Subjects:
Git, jQuery, AJAX, MVC, Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, Spring MVC

Digital Marketing (Nights & Weekends)

Cost: $9,500
Duration: 12 weeks
Locations: Boston
In-person Only
Course Description:

Our digital marketing track will train you to become a comprehensive digital marketer: performance and content marketing, plus a focus on generating actionable insights from data analytics.

Marketing is about anticipating a customer’s needs and then creating the opportunity for a sale to occur. Today’s digital marketers are tasked with designing campaigns that speak to multiple audience segments, inspiring them into action, and measuring the results to make data-fueled business decisions.

Marketers in the innovation industry are scrappy, creative, and agile—able to drive big growth on a small budget and with limited resources. Our digital marketing track will train you to be a self-sufficient marketer, whose aim is to help a company increase their customer base by a factor of 10. Lesson delivery focuses on relevant industry tools like Google Analytics, AdWords, and Mailchimp. You’ll get hands-on experience with SQL queries and implement SEO best practices on your own landing page and customized blog. To deliver on these goals, you’ll learn content strategies to organically improve your rankings.

Key Skills and Capabilities

Email marketing and landing page optimization
Best practices for inbound and outbound marketing plans
Working with analytics platforms and SQL
Placing, testing, and optimizing paid advertising
Improving website visibility through content development and targeted keyword usage

Subjects:
SEO, SQL, Digital Marketing, Wordpress

Introduction to Coding (Ruby on Rails)

Cost: $859
Duration: 8 weeks
Locations: Boston
In-person Only
Course Description:

This class will teach you the programming language used by developers to build websites, games, and applications.

Learn how to solve real-world problems with code and what it takes to create interactive web applications. You’ll complete the class with a solid understanding of the language and a series of web applications to add to your portfolio.

You’ll also be introduced to industry tools such as Github, Unix, and Sublime. This class is great for coding novices who want to learn the fundamentals of web development.

Subjects:
Git, Ruby on Rails

Introduction to Digital Marketing

Cost: $859
Duration: 8 weeks
Locations: Boston
In-person Only
Course Description:

Marketing for the digital age is less about billboards and more about keeping your audience engaged between email and Facebook, and everywhere in between. This class will teach you how to create an effective marketing plan and put it into action using key industry tools.

Learn how to drive results using Google Analytics, content strategy, SEO, A/B testing, and email marketing. You’ll complete the class with a marketing campaign and a solid understanding of how to acquire and engage customers.

This class is great for aspiring marketers, marketers who want to learn new digital skills, or founders and small business owners who want to build their own marketing plans.

Subjects:
HTML, SEO, SQL, Digital Marketing

Introduction to JavaScript

Cost: $859
Duration: 8 weeks
Locations: Boston
In-person Only
Course Description:

This class will teach you the programming language that allows users to interact directly with a website or application.

Gain a solid understanding of programming techniques, JavaScript fundamentals, and how to use JavaScript and jQuery to make interactive websites. You’ll complete the course with a team project to add to your portfolio.

This class is perfect for people who have dabbled in HTML and CSS, back-end developers who want to learn front-end skills, entrepreneurs who want to manage a development process, and the curious looking to learn how to code for the first time.

Subjects:
JavaScript

Introduction to Web Design (UX/UI)

Cost: $859
Duration: 8 weeks
Locations: Boston
In-person Only
Course Description:

This class will teach you the fundamentals of HTML5, CSS3, and the principles of responsive design.

Gain front-end coding skills and build a web experience for your portfolio that will function seamlessly across devices.

This class is perfect for aspiring UX/UI designers, graphic designers who want to learn to code, back-end developers who want to build a front-end skill set, web designers who are new to responsive design, and entrepreneurs who want to build their own website.

Subjects:
CSS, Illustrator, Mobile, Photoshop, Bootstrap, Responsive Design, Sketch

Sales & Business Development (Nights & Weekends)

Cost: $9,500
Duration: 12 weeks
Locations: Boston
In-person Only
Course Description:

The sales and account management track will prepare you to masterfully nurture a sales funnel, and to convert prospects into loyal customers.

Selling for high-growth requires resourcefulness. Salespeople at rapidly growing companies face very different challenges than their corporate counterparts. You may have to build your company’s sales process from scratch, or sell a product that is still in development. You may have to validate a market or industry on your own with few resources or guidance from leadership. Your role will demand an integrated approach, often working alongside marketing teammates to ensure a cohesive customer journey.

Our sales and account management track will train you to excel in the most critical revenue-driving role. From prospecting and lead generation to account management, you will learn that sales is both an art and a science.

The curriculum focuses on developing the essential skills for selling in the innovation sector, and provides tools and processes for managing the sales cycle. Lesson delivery emphasizes a practical and interactive approach, as salespeople from local companies share their expertise and lessons from their own experience. Instructional presentations are supported by hands-on challenges that invite students to engage with the tools, strategies, and problem-solving techniques that make it possible for salespeople to exceed their quotas.

Key Skills and Capabilities:

Customer engagement throughout the sales cycle
Objection handling and closing techniques
Inbound and outbound sales strategies and best practices
Managing long-term client relationships
Defining expectations and relationship building with your sales manager and team

Subjects:
Business, Entrepreneurship, Sales

Web Design + UX/UI (Nights & Weekends)

Cost: $9,500
Duration: 12 weeks
Locations: Boston
In-person Only
Course Description:

Our web design track will train you in front-end development and interface design with an emphasis on user-centered principles. You’ll juggle code and design as you learn how the most innovative companies create great digital products.

As a web designer you will be tasked with taking a product and turning it into an experience. You’ll need to balance dynamic visuals and interactivity with optimal performance.

Built on the product development life cycle, the curriculum simulates real-life challenges to prepare you to successfully take a project from concept to launch. Lesson delivery focuses on teaching relevant industry languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and jQuery. You’ll also get hands-on experience with local designers to learn about wireframing, low-fidelity mockups, and rapid prototyping to help you work quickly and take your designs to the next level.

KEY SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES

HTML, CSS, CSS3, JavaScript, and jQuery
Best practices and techniques for responsive design
Conducting user research and testing
Wireframing, low-fidelity mockups, and rapid prototyping
Effective portfolio presentation
Requirement: Students must bring a computer with a Unix environment (i.e. Mac OSX or Linux).

Subjects:
Design Principles, Responsive Design, JavaScript, UX

Startup Institute Reviews

Average Ratings (All Programs)

Startup Institute logo

4.7/5 (139 reviews)

Keith Johnson
Software Engineer | Graduated: 2016

8/25/2017

Overall

Curriculum

Job Support

"It's a ton of work, but it's worth it"

Startup Institute will supply you with extremely useful resources and an amazing network. These will allow you to get a spot in the tech industry. But SI isn't just concerned with getting you the next job. It's concerned with getting you the job after... Read More

For the web development program - if you're a Ruby on Rails novice, don't expect to be an expert once you get out of the program. It's not about learning the technology from the ground up. Instead, focus on completing a tangible project that demonstrates your skills. This would typically come in the form of a Ruby on Rails webapp. As such, you should come into Startup Institute with some preliminary knowledge. If you don't have that, you should at least complete an online course (I believe SI gives you a One Month subscription).

You will work with your instructors and mentors in order to develop said project. At the same time, you will make use of the network in order to set up coffee chats and interviews. This is a TON of work, so you should expect to be putting in 60-70 hours a week.

One thing - Startup Institute assigns you to an existing startup company in which you will be doing a project for them. If that project is sufficiently technical (it may not), that can be your dedicated project that was mentioned above. I wouldn't suggest working on more than one project throughout the program.

Aziz Karakhanyan
Associate Quality Assurance Engineer | Graduated: 2017

8/19/2017

Overall

Curriculum

Job Support

"Transformative, teaching you to fish for the rest of your life."

Network. This isn't your typical bootcamp.

If your focus is to just learn the technical skills, then I don't think Startup Institute is for you. There are other great bootcamps that focus entirely on that.

You will need some foundation in the technical... Read More

The strength of startup institute is that they teach you how to work within a team, to understand what motivates you and teach you how to network. The SI network is the secret sauce, the ingredient that makes this bootcamp stand out from the rest of them. If your goal is to pivot careers and get a JOB in that new career, I don't think there is a better program. The SI network is immense and incredibly generous with their time and effort to help you excel.

If you're ready to change your career in an explosive way, you'd be doing yourself a disservice to not at least consider Startup Institute.

Rachel
Graduated: 2016

8/17/2017

Overall

Curriculum

Job Support

"Connects you with a network of awesome people"

Startup Institute was a great overall experience for me. I came away with tools and resources to gain a better understanding of digital marketing concepts and best practices. But it was really up to me to learn the technical skills that I needed. In order... Read More

Anonymous
Unemployed | Graduated: 2016

7/8/2017

Overall

Curriculum

Job Support

"You don't pay for the education you pay for the network"

It's not worth it if you are new to the tech/startup world. Unhelpful staff, courses taught by teachers hocking their own courses/products, and you probably won't get your dream job unless your dream is having your time wasted and energy burnt out by... Read More

Jorge
Graduated: 2016

1/30/2017

Overall

Curriculum

Job Support

"I got me a Job"

After come from another country and have no idea how things work in America, I could learn a lot about soft skills, Job hunting, and how startups work in Boston. Startup Institute also help me to make enough connections to land a Job two weeks after the... Read More

Reggie
Content Marketing Specialist | Graduated: 2016

1/10/2017

Overall

Curriculum

Job Support

"An outstanding startup-focused skill building experience."

Startup Institute isn't a normal program. Some people might carry the expectation of coming out of it being fully versed in a new programming language or a seasoned expert in the latest marketing platform. If that is the case, this really isn't the program... Read More

What Startup Institute offers (really well) is the ability to fully understand what it is like to work in a startup environment and thrive within those unique challenges. They do this by focusing on essential soft skills (that are often neglected) such as the ability to work effectively a multi-disciplinary team, and consistently focus on what's immediately important to move forward in the fast pace of startups.

As mentioned in many reviews, they also provide an amazing group of talented people through their staff, alumni, and partner network that can help you get to where you want to be: a job that you love at a company that you also love. I could not speak more highly of the experience.

David C.
Student | Graduated: 2016

1/10/2017

Overall

Curriculum

Job Support

"StartUp Institute is an Immersive Program that Prepares You for Work in the Start Up World"

The program basically consisted of three elements: classes, company partnerships, and community building. The classes were generally very clear and rather fast-paced. The instructors and as well as StartUp faculty were very attentive to individual concerns... Read More

Anonymous
Graduated: 2017

1/10/2017

Overall

Curriculum

Job Support

"Rewarding"

Pros: have access to Startups in 3 different states, learn how to improve soft skills, make great connections

Cons: hard skills are lacking

Jonathan Zabner
Client Success Associate | Graduated: 2016

1/9/2017

Course
Sales & Business Development (Nights & Weekends)

Overall

Curriculum

Job Support

"Networking, networking, networking"

Startup Institute is a great program to get your foot into the Boston Startup scene. If you have been trying to find a job in the Startup scene or progress onto the next phase of your career, this 8 week course is a great tool to enable you to enter the... Read More

The teachers are professionals from around the Boston area so if you put in a lot of effort, it is fairly easy to chose your job when you leave the startup institute. If you cannot put in the time, this may not be the program for you. Having said that, if you are able and willing to put in the effort, this program allows you to springboard your career.

Kira
Front End Developer | Graduated: 2016

1/9/2017

Overall

Curriculum

Job Support

"Amazing Networking Experience"

I took a gamble, quit a stable job, and enrolled in SI's Summer 2016 Web Dev course. I had no previous programming experience, but I did have a technical background, which I think is worth noting. After 8 weeks in the full-time program, I was hired as... Read More

SI is an excellent networking opportunity, and I say this as someone who thinks networking is generally overrated. The introductions alone were worth the tuition. I learned about companies I had never heard of before, and was introduced to Boston’s startup scene - a sphere in which I had no interest or knowledge about prior to SI.

SI’s curriculum also forces students to think about about their career trajectories. For 8 weeks, you consider where you’re coming from, and where you’re headed. This was a very useful exercise, and one that I feel few people ever consider.

My one critique of the Web Development program is the in-track curriculum, which seemed weaker than core curriculum. I think I was very fortunate to have many friends who program for a living, and those friends coached me every day. If I hadn’t had that external mentorship, I wouldn’t have been hired at the company of my choice. The in-track sessions are very much what you make of them, and nothing else. You have to put in substantial time after you go home for the day. This wasn’t particularly surprising or difficult for me.

I would also like to say that the SI staff is aware of the above critique and they were proactively making adjustments to the track when I left. The staff is perhaps the best part of SI. They work with each individual to make sure that person's needs are being met. When I let the staff know I was having difficulty with the in-track courses, they held after-hours sessions, and assigned me both a student and faculty mentor.

If you’re considering the Web Dev track at SI and you’re a generally technical person who’s willing to work quite hard, I would absolutely recommend the program because it’s cheaper than other bootcamps, and the networking component is simply fantastic.

Related News

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Justin Miller, VP Marketing at Startup Institute - 10/5/2017
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