Veale Snyder Fellow Spotlight: Meet Apeksha Malik, Exploring New Frontiers in Entrepreneurship

For Apeksha Malik, stepping into the world of entrepreneurship has been a journey of both curiosity and courage. Originally from Queens, New York, Apeksha is a senior at Case Western Reserve University, double-majoring in Computer Science and Applied Data Science. This past summer, she interned at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Los Angeles as a Software and Data Engineering Intern, where she not only strengthened her technical abilities but also gained inspiration from engineers, scientists, and project leads working on groundbreaking missions.

What drew her to the Veale Snyder Fellowship wasn’t just the program’s focus on launching ideas but its commitment to developing people. “As someone new to the entrepreneurial space, I used to doubt whether my ideas were worthy of investment,” she reflected. “The fellowship helped me see that entrepreneurship is about investing in people as much as in their ideas.” That perspective made the fellowship feel like the perfect fit—an opportunity to grow not only as a thinker but also as a leader.

1. What have been the standout highlights of your time as a Veale Snyder Fellow (VSF)?

It was always incredibly exciting to share a room with an incredibly motivated cohort of peers during VSF classes, trips, and events. Being privy to the way they were able to expand their networks and knowledge of paths and opportunities across such a variety of atmospheres like Prague, top tech and startup offices, and U.S. Embassy convocations has emboldened me to seek out experiences passionately with no regret.

2. The fellowship includes trips to Silicon Valley and international destinations. How did those experiences shape your perspective on the tech industry and entrepreneurship?

These experiences taught me the incredible richness of entrepreneurship. I was able to see how entire sectors within tech are leveraged on a single person, team, or company’s unique strides in innovation. I also have a much clearer picture of the impact of entrepreneurship and how it influences national economies, policy discussions, and collaboration on a global scale. We are able to create things that are so much bigger than us!

3. How did the support from the Veale Institute have an overall impact on your academic and professional path?

Though this may sound bad, being a part of the fellowship made me put less weight on grades. The capability to do well on an exam is not a function of what you can achieve and your ability to generate impact. Through the VSF, I was able to attend CES in Las Vegas to support the CWRU booth. It was eye-opening in discovering so many new paths, but it also put me in touch with an individual who made it possible for me to land my summer internship.

4. Tell us about your internship this summer - what was that experience like, and how did it connect to your many interests?

This summer, I had the opportunity to intern at NASA as a Software (and Data) Engineering Intern out of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Los Angeles. While the experience was invaluable in strengthening my technical abilities, what stood out even more was the people I was able to meet and learn from. I had the chance to interact with engineers, scientists, and project leads working on missions that push the boundaries of technology and exploration. These conversations inspired me to think more broadly about the kind of impact I want to make through my own work and where I want to apply the technical abilities I’ve honed here at CWRU.

5. What would you tell students who are hesitant about applying or aren't sure if they're 'entrepreneurial enough’?

Like I said earlier, entrepreneurship is about investing in people, and VSF is an incredible program that wants to unlock and encourage students’ ability to think boldly. There is no pressure to find the next unicorn company, and even if you’re unsure about the ideas you bring to the table, you rise out of the program much more confident, experienced, and connected. Make use of the channels that want to invest in students while you’re here on campus, and make sure you’re visiting Thinkbox!!!! I’ve met such awesome people here, not only on the 6th floor, but on the prototyping and fabrication floors as well.