CYstarters Helps Jesse Williams Advance Dinder, an App to End Dinner Debates 

This summer, Jesse Williams, a software engineering student and member of the Start Something LAS Academy, joined the newest group of innovators in CYstarters, Iowa State University’s student accelerator program through the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship. For Williams, the 11-week experience was not only a chance to focus on his venture full-time but also the launchpad that moved his app Dinder closer to reality.

Dinder aims to solve one of the most common group challenges: choosing where to eat. The app blends user accommodations (factors that do not change, such as allergies, accessibility, or dietary restrictions) with preferences (factors that can change, like cravings, distance, or price) to recommend restaurants that fit the whole group’s needs. With features such as menus, reviews, and average price per person, users simply swipe right on restaurants they like, left on those they do not, and let Dinder handle the rest. 

Williams first heard about CYstarters as a freshman, the same week he dreamed up the idea for Dinder. At the time, the program felt out of reach. “I slowly convinced myself I was nowhere near qualified,” Williams said. “But after joining the Start Something LAS Academy, I realized CYstarters was not just for people who already had it all figured out. It was for people like me, with a vision, a dream, and the drive to make it real.” 

The CYstarters program gave Williams exactly what he needed to move forward. Over the course of the summer, he worked alongside 14 other student innovators while receiving mentorship, resources, and support from the Pappajohn Center staff and a wide network of entrepreneurial experts. “Every speaker, every staff member, every other founder in the cohort brought something valuable to the table,” Williams said. “The wisdom and connections I gained are things I will carry with me forever.” 

Beyond knowledge, CYstarters provided a community that made the experience transformational. “CYstarters could have just been a one-on-one session with staff and a single student, but instead they brought 15 of us together,” Williams said. “Learning, collaborating, and sharing memories as a group is something I will cherish and carry with me for the rest of my life.” 

As Williams returns to campus, he feels equipped to continue developing Dinder with confidence. “CYstarters was integral to my growth as a person and with Dinder,” he said. “It was the catalyst I needed to make my dream real. I cannot imagine where I would be without it.” 

For Williams, the program delivered more than tools for building an app. It showed him what is possible. “If anyone is considering applying, I would recommend it wholeheartedly. You will not regret spending your summer building your company. It will be revolutionary.” 

Interested in learning more about CYstarters? Visit the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship website!