SuLe's CPO Nilsu Derici Represents SuLe at Draper University. Wins Pitch Competition.

Nilsu Derici, who was our product advisor then, joined Draper University in Silicon Valley after being accepted into the programme with a scholarship.

Draper University is an intensive entrepreneurship programme focused on shaping what it calls "heroes", also known as founders building ambitious, high-impact startups. The programme was founded by Tim Draper, a prominent Silicon Valley venture capitalist known for early investments in companies such as Tesla, Skype, and Coinbase. Draper University brings together entrepreneurs from around the world to learn, build, and challenge conventional thinking around startup growth.

During the programme, Nilsu worked alongside more than 100 entrepreneurs from diverse industries, participating in workshops, hackathons, and hands-on sessions designed to push founders beyond theory and into execution. The curriculum included business, leadership, fundraising, and product-market fit, delivered through an immersive, fast-paced environment.

Nilsu also had the opportunity to attend sessions led by renowned mentors and industry leaders, including Rachel Konrad and Dan Goldin, gaining exposure to perspectives from both the technology and innovation ecosystems. In addition to learning, Nilsu actively contributed to the programme by running hackathons and collaborating closely with fellow founders.

As part of the Draper experience, founders were invited to pitch their startups. Nilsu pitched SuLe during the Draper pitch competition, where she was selected as one of the winners! The pitch focused on SuLe's mission to modernise legal infrastructure for startups and SMEs through accessible, technology-driven solutions.

For SuLe, Draper University marked a significant moment. Nilsu's time in Silicon Valley deepened her involvement with the company and sharpened its product vision, drawing on global perspectives and high-growth startup thinking. Following the programme, she made the decision to bring those insights back to the UK ecosystem, contributing directly to SuLe's next stage of growth.

Shortly after Draper, Nilsu formally joined SuLe as Co-Founder and CPO, having already worked closely with CEO Patricia Wing in the months leading up to the programme. Draper University served as both a catalyst and a confirmation of the shared ambition to build SuLe into a scalable, founder-first legal platform.

Nilsu's journey through Draper University reflects SuLe's broader ethos: learning from the best, building with intention, and applying global insights to solve real problems faced by founders closer to home.