“Vertical progress means doing new things — going from 0 to 1. Vertical progress is harder to imagine because it requires doing something nobody else has ever done. If you take one typewriter and build 100, you have made horizontal progress. If you have a typewriter and build a word processor, you have made vertical progress.”
— Peter Thiel in Zero to One
WELCOME TO BASECAMP!
Hey there, future world-changers! I’m Edward Cruz, at your service.
Welcome to The Vertical Academy, where your ideas and energy are the main ingredients for something monumental. We’re not just talking about learning; we’re talking about creating, innovating, and stepping into a world where your thoughts have the power to become something real and impactful.
You’re not just a student here; you’re an innovator. Every idea, every spark of creativity you have, is valuable. We’re on this journey together, where challenges are stepping stones, and every problem is an opportunity to do something new. So this is where your entrepreneurial journey gets started, where concepts turn into innovations and dreams into realities.
So welcome to your new playground and proving ground. It’s where you’ll start getting your hands dirty, delve into the nitty-gritty of tech and entrepreneurship, and emerge with not just knowledge, but experience and insights that textbooks can’t offer. It’s hands-on, it’s real, and it’s geared towards turning you into a tech startup founder.
Now, a bit about me and this space we’re in.
Before the Vertical Academy became a reality, I was deep in the tech world, working with big names and big projects. But something was missing. The real magic, I realized, wasn’t in the boardrooms or the polished corridors of tech giants. It was out here, where ideas are raw, fresh, and ready to change the world.
I brought that realization and my years of experience back to Tucson, and that’s where my company Go For Vertical was born. And now it’s not just a curriculum; it’s a revolution, a space where young minds like yours are the most valuable asset. Every session here is a step closer to turning those brilliant ideas of yours into tangible, impactful innovations.
So what we’re doing is redefining learning and creation so it’s not about what you can memorize; it’s about what you can create and innovate. Every project, every challenge here in the Vertical Academy is a stepping stone to your own unique path of innovation. We’re not just teaching and learning; we’re co-creating a future of technology with you.
So what is Vertical EXACTLY?
Vertical is more than a learning experience; it’s a creation experience. It’s a set of tools, resources, and knowledge that empowers you to not just learn about technology and ventures but to build them, refine them, and launch them into the world.
Imagine creating something that resonates, that connects, that makes a difference—and doing it while you’re still in school. That’s the magic of Vertical. It’s about breaking down the barriers between young innovators like you and the world that awaits your ideas. It’s about making the journey from concept to creation not just possible, but exciting and empowering.
Every module, every session is designed with one goal in mind - to turn you into a creator. It’s not about filling your head with theories; it’s about filling your hands with tools - tools that turn ideas into innovations, and innovations into revolutions. This is where your journey from learner to leader takes flight.
HERE’s YOUR ROADMAP to The VERTICAL ACADEMY PROGRAMS
So, how does this all work? It starts at BASECAMP, where you’re not just learning; you’re doing. You’re getting a bird’s eye view of the process, acquiring skills that aren’t just theoretical but practical and actionable. It’s where ideas meet execution, and dreams meet reality.
Then, we ascend to CLIMB, a space where those skills and ideas are put to the test. It’s about building, refining, and preparing to launch. Every challenge is an opportunity, every feedback a stepping stone to perfection. It’s where your ideas take shape, and your innovations take flight.
And finally, SUMMIT is where it all comes together, where your tech and venture take flight, powered by efficiency, innovation, and the collective energy of a community of young innovators. It’s where the journey culminates, where the learning and creating merge, and where young innovators like you step into the future as leaders and changemakers.
SO Let’s get GOING.
Vertical isn’t just a journey; it’s an adventure. It’s a space where every challenge is an opportunity, and every idea is a potential game-changer. You’re not just a part of this; you’re the driving force. Every session is a step closer to a world where technology is not just used but created, refined, and revolutionized by you.
So welcome again to the Vertical Academy, where every day is a step closer to a future crafted by your ideas, your innovations, and your creations.