CYstarters Spotlight: A 14-part series highlighting student entrepreneurs pursuing their business ventures as part of the CYstarters 2025 summer cohort. Through this program, students have the unique opportunity to prioritize the development of their own startup or business idea. Each individual receives $6,500 and access to resources such as mentorship, networking opportunities, and educational sessions on entrepreneurship and business startup.
Jesse Williams Is Creating a Smarter Way to Eat Out—One Line of Code at a Time
When you meet Jesse Williams, it’s clear he’s the kind of person who leans all the way in to whatever he’s passionate about. On day one of CYstarters, when the cohort was asked to introduce themselves and their businesses, Jesse was the first to volunteer in the quiet room. That confidence isn’t about showmanship—it’s just Jesse. He thrives in the chaos and the unknown, and if you ask him to jump into something without a plan, that’s where he does his best work.
Originally from McPherson, Kansas, and later Rapid City, South Dakota, Jesse had plans of studying nanotechnology at a university in Denver. When it became clear they didn’t have a formal program and would have to cobble together a curriculum, he realized he wanted something more structured. A quick search for “best software schools in the U.S.” brought him to Iowa State, and it’s been the right fit ever since.
He landed in Software Engineering, a major that is dual-listed in both the College of Engineering and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Jesse plans to graduate with his bachelor’s in 2026, then move straight into a master’s in artificial intelligence, finishing in 2027. But even with this demanding academic path, he’s found the time and grit to launch a business he believes in.
Jesse’s business, Dinder, started as a simple class project—and a common problem.
“I have nine older siblings,” Jesse explained with a grin. “That’s a crazy amount of people in one family.” At a family reunion two years ago, the group tried to go out to eat and immediately hit a wall. With dietary needs ranging from carnivore to pescatarian, and strong opinions from a chef brother and a pregnant sister, it was nearly impossible to agree on a restaurant. Later, a similar problem surfaced during a late-night group project—different cravings, limited time, and a need to stay close to campus.
Jesse and his siblings (and their families) at a family reunion.
That recurring frustration sparked the idea for Dinder: an app that makes group dining decisions easier by combining everyone’s dietary restrictions and preferences, cross-referencing them with open hours, menus, price points, and reviews of the accommodating restaurants within a user-given radius. Users simply swipe right or left on restaurant options that fit the criteria—Dinder does the rest! It helps the user to make an informed decision about where they want to eat.
Learning as He Builds
Since joining CYstarters, Jesse has been refining Dinder through intensive customer discovery, asking users what features they want to see—from dietary filters to real-time menu previews. The result? An app with over 300 possible filters, designed for everyone from large families to college students to frequent travelers in a new location.
But building something this dynamic hasn’t come easy. Jesse, who is coding all of the algorithms by hand without shortcuts like AI assistance, admits the hardest part has been, well, everything.
“Creating an app from a blank screen—no code, no framework—to something that functions like Tinder or DoorDash is wild,” he said. “I’ve built, scrapped, and rebuilt the algorithms over and over again. I still don’t have a fully working version, but each piece is bringing me closer.”
Jesse is a problem-solver by nature. “In my engineering classes, every day we’re given obscure problems to solve. I love that. I love building something from nothing.” That mindset extends beyond the classroom. Whether he’s running triathlons, collecting art, or staying grounded in nature (“I do love tech, but I also really enjoy grass,” he says with a laugh), Jesse chases growth and experience with equal intensity.
For him, the most rewarding part of entrepreneurship is building something from scratch. “Watching my website evolve from a blank page into this animated, interactive platform has been so satisfying,” he shared. “That same evolution is what excites me about entrepreneurship.”
Dinder.food landing page.
One of Jesse’s biggest surprises during CYstarters? The support from his peers. “I expected it to be more competitive—like sports, where you’re friendly, but still competitive,” he said. “But here, everyone is so ready to help. People genuinely want to support me and Dinder. That’s been amazing.” He also credits the cohort’s collective wisdom as one of the most valuable resources of the summer. “I’m learning so much just from talking to the other entrepreneurs.”
He’s learned that entrepreneurship is just as much about leaning on others as it is about personal grit. Balancing a full-time academic load and building a business is no small task. “I’m the best sleeper in the world,” Jesse jokes. “I could sleep 15 hours a day. But I know I’m the only one who can make this dream happen, and that’s what motivates me to get up and do the hard work.”
What’s Next—and How You Can Help
Jesse hopes to have Dinder’s beta ready for testing by Demo Day. Until then, he’s continuing to tweak the app, gather feedback, and test features. His ask of the community?
“Check out Dinder.food, sign up for the beta test, and share some kind words. Encouragement goes a long way. As students, we’re learning in real time, and we’re so dependent on our community. We’ll take all the help we can get.”
And for other students thinking about starting a business? Jesse’s advice is simple:
“College is the catalyst for amazing ideas. You have nothing to lose. If you have an idea that can make the world even slightly better, go for it. Don’t underestimate the support waiting for you. You’re not as alone as you think.”
From a blank screen to a full-fledged startup, Jesse is building Dinder line by line—not just to make eating out easier, but to create something people genuinely enjoy. It’s not about a flashy launch or overnight success. For Jesse, the goal is simple: solve a real problem in a meaningful way and bring people joy.
Check out our video interview with Jesse Williams below!
