In this episode of the "Startup for Startup" podcast, the hosts delve into monday.com's unique market penetration strategy through a free program for students. They explore how this initiative evolved from a mere side project into a substantial endeavor. The discussion highlights the challenges of retaining users, even with a free offering, and reveals the effective strategies they employed to tackle these hurdles, such as focused outreach and personalized engagement. A crucial insight shared is the significance of face-to-face interactions in building trust and fostering user adoption, which often outperforms online campaigns. The episode wraps up by showcasing the program's remarkable growth, expanding from 4,000 to 40,000 students, and hints at future plans for scaling. Listeners will learn valuable lessons about forming successful educational partnerships and the need to tailor marketing strategies to specific audiences.