Echo Learn, LLC
University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management
Industry: Education Technology
Founding Student Name(s):
Gurasis Singh (CEO) – 4th year Entrepreneurial Management B.S.B. & Political Science B.A.
Isaac Porter (CTO) – 4th year Management Information Systems & Business Analytics B.S.B.
Samra Bojcic (CMO) – Class of 2025 Economics B.A. & Healthcare Management B.A.S.
Brief Description of Solution: Echo Learn is an AI-powered education platform transforming how higher-ed instructors integrate active learning in their classrooms. Instructors create active learning sessions by uploading course materials and setting objectives; students then engage in personalized, interactive sessions where they effectively learn by teaching back. These AI-guided sessions reinforce comprehension and critical thinking. ECHO LEARN gives instructors control, insight, and ease of use while helping students close knowledge gaps and build deeper understanding.
Funding Dollars: $3,000
What led you to launch this venture? I have been passionate about creating an impact in the education space for a few years now, and my path to Echo Learn is a culmination of personal experiences. Growing up, I had always been a strong student. When the pandemic hit during my junior year of high school, everything changed. Losing my father during that time and being thrown into remote learning completely disrupted my relationship with education. By senior year, I wasn’t thriving anymore; I was just surviving. I went through the motions, doing what I had to do to get by, but the spark and joy of learning were gone.
When I entered college, I slowly began to rebuild. I had to learn how to learn again, this time with more intentionality. That experience was a turning point: It taught me that education isn’t just about absorbing information, it’s about engagement, curiosity, and connection. Rediscovering that love for learning was my redemption. That’s ultimately what inspired Echo Learn. I wanted to build something that could help students like me, who might be stuck in survival mode, rediscover joy in learning.
What has been your biggest accomplishment so far with the venture? The biggest accomplishment for me has been the depth of insights I’ve gained through conversations with a wide and diverse range of stakeholders in our problem interviews. When I first started, I had a perfect vision of what our solution would look like. But after dozens of interviews with educators, institutional leaders, business experts, and tech specialists, I uncovered layers and perspectives I hadn’t even considered. Listening to your customer validate your problem is not only music to your ears, it’s ammunition to push the business. I often find myself both humbled and energized when I catch myself wondering, “Why didn’t I think of that?” during these interviews. These moments of learning are what truly shape Echo Learn into what it is: a platform designed around the real needs of the classroom.
How has your business-related major helped you further this startup venture? My Entrepreneurial Management major has served me more than I can thank it for. The coursework and experiences I have gained in my program have pushed me to think beyond the textbook and apply concepts to real-world problems. It taught me that you don’t have to walk into a venture as an expert; you need the curiosity and resilience to learn quickly and adapt. That mindset has been critical for me in building Echo Learn. I’ve learned how to spot market opportunities others might overlook, think strategically about growth, and approach problems with honed creativity rather than unrealistic ideas. Just as importantly, the program has given me the confidence to embrace challenges, pivot when necessary, and curate baby steps to success.
Which business class has been most valuable in building your startup and what was the biggest lesson you gained from it? MGMT 4171: Entrepreneurship in Action has been one of the most valuable and impactful experiences I’ve had in college. This wasn’t a class that just talked about theory; it was a hands-on, real-world playground where we were pushed to test ideas, gather feedback, and iterate constantly. The biggest lesson I took away was the practice of “marrying your problem, not your solution.” At first, I didn’t fully grasp how powerful that mindset is. As entrepreneurs, it’s easy to get attached to a particular idea or product and overlook whether it’s actually solving the root problem. This class showed me that real innovation happens when you stay loyal to the problem you’re trying to solve, not the first solution you fall in love with.
What business professor made a significant contribution to your plans and why? Morgan Kerfeld is the professor who has made the most impact on Echo Learn’s evolution. In Entrepreneurship in Action, she pushed me to look deeper into the “why” behind Echo Learn. Being a former student entrepreneur herself, she knew that it was important to balance her encouragement with challenge, and guided me toward the right questions without handing me answers. That approach gave me the confidence to take ownership of my ideas and reminded me to always stay grounded in the problem I’m solving. Her wisdom and belief in me have been a cornerstone of my growth as an entrepreneur.
What founder or entrepreneur inspired you to start your own entrepreneurial journey? How did he or she prove motivational to you? Sal Khan, the founder of Khan Academy, has been one of my biggest inspirations as I’ve started my own entrepreneurial journey. What inspires me most is how he began with such a simple, personal act – tutoring his cousins online – and turned it into a platform that has transformed education for millions. His story reminds me that world-changing ideas don’t have to start big; they start with a problem you care deeply about and the willingness to try to solve it.
For me, that was the realization that students often lose their love for learning, just as I did in high school during the pandemic. Seeing how Sal Khan built something that made learning more accessible and engaging motivated me to believe I could do the same in my own way. His example proves that education and technology, when combined with genuine passion, can create a massive social impact. That belief continues to fuel my vision for Echo Learn, helping students rediscover joy in learning, one interactive conversation at a time
What is your long-term goal with your startup? Ultimately, I want Echo Learn to make a lasting social impact in education. I envision a future where our platform not only helps students love learning again, but also equips instructors with the tools they need to engage their classes effectively. Through Echo Learn, I want to create a dynamic space that harnesses the capabilities of modern technology and combines it with research-backed pedagogical methods that can serve the next generation of students and instructors.
How has your local startup ecosystem contributed to your venture’s development and success? Our local startup ecosystem in Minneapolis, as well as the University of Minnesota, has been such an important part of our journey. Being surrounded by driven, passionate entrepreneurs has kept me motivated, especially during moments when building a startup felt overwhelming. I’ve been able to tap into mentorship, networking events, and a community that genuinely wants to see each other succeed. Seeing others chase big ideas inspires me to keep pushing forward with Echo Learn and reminds me that I’m not building this in isolation.
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