From Madrid to Morgantown: Carlos Fernandez’s Journey with Stud-IA
Carlos Fernandez is not your average 25-year-old entrepreneur. Born and raised in Madrid, Spain, Carlos has already launched a startup that’s making waves across international borders. His company, Stud-IA, is an educational platform powered by artificial intelligence that’s changing how students study—and it all began with a simple conversation between friends.
A Problem Worth Solving
The idea for Stud-IA started in June 2023. One of Carlos’s friends was overwhelmed by work and looming final exams. As they talked over a beer, his friend said, “I just don’t have the time to study.” That one sentence stuck with Carlos.
Having been a Division 1 tennis player and a physics student, Carlos knew the pain of balancing academics and time. He had developed study methods that helped him get through demanding courses quickly and efficiently. So he asked himself: what if we could turn any study material into instant, effective learning tools using AI?
From that question, Stud-IA was born.
What Is Stud-IA?
Stud-IA is a web-based platform that allows students to upload materials like PDFs or class notes and instantly generate study aids: summaries, mind maps, flashcards, and even practice tests. The idea is to make learning faster and smarter—cutting down hours of prep into minutes.
Carlos explains it simply: “We’re giving students the tools to study better, not longer.”
From Spain to West Virginia
While the startup began in Madrid, Carlos made the strategic decision to register Stud-IA as an LLC in West Virginia. Why? He had a growing interest in entrepreneurship and had already started forming connections in the U.S. through his education.
Carlos came to the U.S. to play college tennis at Eastern Kentucky University, eventually transferring to West Liberty University, where he finished his physics degree. Looking for a more practical and business-oriented education, he enrolled in industrial engineering at WVU—and that decision would set him on the path to launching Stud-IA in America.
Partnering with Vantage Ventures
Carlos was introduced to Vantage Ventures through a research professor at WVU. That connection led him to join their first-ever startup cohort—a game-changing experience that helped him think like a business owner, not just a builder.
“The Vantage team helped me focus on the core problem and taught me how to build a startup the right way,” Carlos said. “I learned how to execute and how to make real progress.”
Through Vantage Ventures, Carlos accessed mentorship, resources, and a supportive community of like-minded founders. He also discovered the unique opportunities West Virginia offers for startup growth—including a close-knit business ecosystem and access to students eager to test and use new tools.
Growing Stud-IA
Carlos now splits his time between the U.S. and Spain, where part of his team is still based. Stud-IA launched officially in August 2024 and continues to gain traction among students looking for faster, more effective ways to prepare for exams.
From building the first prototype in his Madrid apartment to expanding the product across two continents, Carlos remains focused on solving a real problem for millions of students.
Final Thoughts
Carlos Fernandez’s story is a perfect example of how big ideas can come from small moments—and how a supportive environment like West Virginia’s startup ecosystem can help them grow.
What began as a friend asking for help is now a full-fledged business helping students study smarter all over the world. As Carlos puts it:
“Fall in love with the problem, not the solution. That’s how you build something that lasts.”
Learn more at: https://www.studai.io/
