Read about some of the best people, projects and programs related to entrepreneurship, innovation and business at the University of Utah.
After a frustrating and nearly treeless camping trip to Goblin Valley in 2016, University of Utah students Daniel Goldfinger (geography) and Nick Bierwolf (mechanical engineering) came up with the idea for a “Tammock” – a device that combines a tent and a freestanding hammock that doesn’t require trees to work. They are now developing the […]
Fas Lebbie, an international studies and entrepreneurship student at the University of Utah, has a growing list of ventures in brand marketing and UX/UI design. One of those ventures is founding Luku Watches, a sleek rendition of urban hip-hop style about to disrupt timepiece fashion. Their watches feature a signature snapback design. Luku is a Kono […]
For millions of women around the world, the fear of getting a pelvic exam, one of the only ways to detect cervical cancer, leads them to skip the exam altogether. Annie Fonnesbeck, who has a master’s degree in bioengineering from the University of Utah, and Laura Gardner, who also has a master’s in bioengineering and […]
Not all students working at the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute become serial entrepreneurs. Some develop valuable skills that they apply to many other industries and professions. Katherine Aiello is one of these students. Aiello participated in the Pierre and Claudette Lassonde New Venture Development Center in 2016-17, while pursuing a Ph.D. in bioengineering at the University of […]
At the young age of just 10 years old, Sole Case Display’s founder Charles Rind already had a passion for footwear and fashion. “In 2003, I first laid my eyes on the patent leather Air Jordan 1 Retro sneaker in the Chicago Bulls colorway,” he said. “Ever since that moment I was hooked.” A year […]
At the age of 16, Sam Hirsch became a social entrepreneur when he founded CleanFare — a mobile app that gives points to people using clean transportation by walking, biking and taking the train or bus. The app allows users to log in and get points and achievement awards as it tracks their mileage of […]
After noticing a huge gap in clothing for young girls, Hillary Whitaker, a University of Utah accounting student, started Curie Wear in 2016, a company that designs custom fabrics focused on STEM. They keep their clothing designs feminine for young girls. As Whitaker said, “It is important to emphasize femininity and let girls know it […]
When Bonaventure Mhonda was a child in rural Tanzania, it would have been impossible for him to think he would do anything like graduate from the University of Utah with a master’s in finance and become an e-commerce entrepreneur. Most people in his local area are poor, families struggle to feed themselves, and children walk […]
For some entrepreneurs, taking an unexpected opportunity all the way really pays off. Doxy.me is an online platform created by Brandon Welch that allows doctors to visit with their patients online through video calls, for free. In 2012, Welch was a Ph.D. student at the University of Utah in biomedical infographics. While working on a […]
Bharath Velagapudi is finishing up his Ph.D. in biomedical engineering at the University of Utah. He is studying neural engineering and thought he was destined for a job as a researcher and professor. But that was before he enrolled in the Pierre and Claudette Lassonde New Venture Development Center. The technology commercialization program is provided […]
