For Mila Pimentel, founder of SWYM and an entrepreneur and art student at the University of Utah, the ocean has always been home. Growing up in Hawai‘i, swimwear wasn’t just a wardrobe essential, it was part of her identity. But as she got older, she noticed something that didn’t sit right: high-quality swimsuits were priced […]
Author: Jillian Hall
Queen SNOWWORKS: Redefining Backcountry Snowboard Bindings
The future of backcountry snowboarding may hinge on a breakthrough binding system developed by University of Utah mechanical engineering seniors and their startup, Queen SNOWWORKS. “Experienced backcountry snowboarders know the unique challenges we face compared to skiers,” said founder Logan Queen. “The gear often holds us back. That’s why we set out to change the […]
Curb Appeal MDX: Building Trust in Home Services
For many homeowners, keeping up with exterior maintenance means juggling phone calls, chasing down contractors, and wondering who they can trust to show up and do the job right. Carter Filion, a Tooele native and entrepreneur in the University of Utah’s Master of Business Creation (MBC) program, set out to change that. His startup, Curb […]
Malabar: An All-Natural Fragrance
What began as a high school hobby is shaping up to be one of the freshest fragrance startups to emerge from the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Utah. Malabar, founded by Calder Stratford, Marshall Moorehead, and Tenney Palmer, is redefining what it means to wear scent in a conscious, modern way. The three […]
Sovegna: Redefining Recovery for Professionals
Dr. Susie Wiet, a medical doctor enrolled in the Master of Business Creation (MBC) Online program at the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business, is transforming the field of recovery and mental health with her startup, Sovegna. Based in Salt Lake City, Sovegna offers an integrated, multidisciplinary outpatient treatment program that emphasizes healing […]
Triptimize: Using AI to Optimize Travel
Michael Melichar and Kyla Wood want to transform the travel planning industry with their innovative startup, Triptimize. As members of the Master of Business Creation (MBC) Online program, Melichar and Wood are building their business skills to streamline travel planning. After struggling to find an AI tool that could optimize his itinerary for a trip […]
UT Match: A Personalized, Professional Approach to Church Matchmaking
Nicole Miller and JoLynn Spruance, co-founders of UT Match, are changing the landscape of matchmaking for single professionals who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their startup offers a highly personalized approach to matchmaking and dating coaching services tailored specifically for busy single professionals between the ages of 26 and […]
A Personal Touch to Wedding Photography
Riley Knautz, a marketing major at the University of Utah, is transforming the world of destination wedding and elopement photography with a deeply personal approach. Through her business, Capturedbyrileyk, she focuses on more than just taking beautiful photos. Instead, she builds relationships with her clients, ensuring their wedding day is as meaningful and stress-free as […]
AI-Powered Rock Strength Analysis
Changdi He, a Ph.D. candidate in mining engineering at the University of Utah, is revolutionizing how rock strength is analyzed using image processing, numerical modeling, and machine learning. His research introduces a novel, AI-driven approach to determining rock strength, which could enhance efficiency in mining and geological studies while also finding applications in planetary exploration. […]
Low-Cost Energy Storage
Yana Qin, a Ph.D. student in chemical engineering at the University of Utah, has made innovative contributions to the field of low-cost energy storage technologies, including advancements in flow batteries and sodium-ion batteries. Among her significant achievements, Qin has invented a magnesium-organic flow battery, a transformative technology designed to provide low-cost and sustainable energy storage […]