Featured
Frank Lin on Balancing Family, School, and Startups | Foster MS in Entrepreneurship Alum Spotlight
Foster’s Entrepreneurship program helped Frank Lin turn challenges into opportunities while launching Elementrailer and raising a family.
Written by: Suzanne Lee, contributing writer, Foster School of Business
Frank Lin (MS 2025) came to the University of Washington’s Master of Science in Entrepreneurship program with an ambitious vision: reinventing the trailer industry. By the time he graduated, he was CEO and Co-Founder of Elementrailer, a startup building smart, electric trailers that extend range, improve efficiency, and provide real-time telematics. Balancing the demands of graduate school, new parenthood, and hardware innovation, Frank drew on Foster’s mentorship, resources, and network to turn bold ideas into a venture built for impact.
Elementrailer builds smart, electric trailers with their own drivetrain and regenerative braking, designed to extend range, improve efficiency, and provide real-time telematics for fleets, rentals, and contractors. During the MS in Entrepreneurship program, Frank tested and refined his concept for Elementrailer through multiple business competitions. He earned prototyping funding and the Reimagine Prize at the Alaska Airlines Environmental Innovation Challenge, took second place at the UW Science & Technology Showcase, and won the Best B2B Idea prize at the Dempsey Startup Competition, organized by the Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship.
In the Q&A below, Frank discusses the challenges of building a business, the lessons that shaped him, and advice for future entrepreneurs.
You moved to Seattle to pursue an MS in Entrepreneurship. What do you tell others about moving to Seattle?
Frank Lin: I moved to Seattle to join Foster’s MS in Entrepreneurship program and plug into its innovation ecosystem. Seattle and the Pacific Northwest have a unique mix of tech talent, sustainability-minded investors, and hands-on builders. It’s a perfect place to launch a climate-tech hardware startup. I’d tell others that the community is collaborative and mission-driven, but you must show up and engage. The relationships you build here can accelerate your journey.
What guides you when making a big decision?
Frank Lin: I often ask myself, “What would the most successful entrepreneurs, like Jeff Bezos, do if they faced this situation?” It helps me zoom out and think bigger. Then I return to our mission to ensure the decision supports what we’re building long term. I list the pros and cons, run the numbers, and let the data keep me grounded. The balance of inspiration and objectivity helps me make confident choices.
What’s one life skill you learned outside business school that’s helped you as an entrepreneur?
Frank Lin: Becoming a parent taught me patience and perspective. Caring for a newborn while building a startup showed me how to prioritize what truly matters and remain calm under pressure. I learned to adapt quickly when plans change, which is an invaluable skill when prototypes/fundraising fail or timelines slip. Like parenting, entrepreneurship is unpredictable but deeply rewarding if you stay focused on the bigger picture.
Please share a challenge that taught you something important.
Frank Lin: Early on, I underestimated how long hardware development would take. The first prototype for my startup was delayed, which forced us to rethink our timeline and expectations. That experience taught me the value of over-communicating with stakeholders and being transparent about challenges. It also reinforced the importance of building fast feedback loops and iterating quickly, even if it means showing an imperfect product.
What helped you stay balanced during the program?
Frank Lin: Managing a startup, graduate school, and a newborn was challenging, but structure and purpose helped. Early routines and weekly plans maintained my focus. Prioritizing family kept things in perspective. The support from family, classmates, teammates, and mentors proved invaluable. They reminded me that I wasn’t alone.
Frank’s entrepreneurship journey shows how real progress comes from balancing ambition with resilience; navigating setbacks, learning quickly, and staying grounded in purpose. The Foster School of Business MS in Entrepreneurship at the University of Washington in Seattle is built for exactly that, giving founders the structure, mentorship, and community to test ideas under pressure and emerge stronger as leaders and builders.
Learn more about the Master of Science in Entrepreneurship program here.
