From Madagascar to a global stage, one survivor’s story is helping youth recognize emotional abuse and reclaim their power. When Francesca Raoelison, a Master of Business Creation (MBC) founder at the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business, was growing up in Madagascar, violence wasn’t hidden behind closed doors — it was a daily […]
Category: Startups
Learn about some of the amazing student startup companies at the University of Utah. Students from all departments are inventing new products and starting businesses.
Kadodo Africa: Connecting and Validating African Businesses
Finding credible businesses in Africa can be challenging. Recognizing this issue, Ghanaian entrepreneur Tsonam Cleanse Akpeloo created Kadodo Africa — a platform designed specifically to profile, authenticate, and boost the visibility of African businesses, making them more trustworthy and accessible to customers, investors, and partners. To ensure Kadodo Africa’s steady and well-planned growth, Akpeloo enrolled […]
Cat Connection: Creating a Cat Community in the Bay Area
In the heart of the Bay Area, one founder is on a mission to make the world a little more cat-friendly. Through her venture Cat Connection, Francine Brownell is creating a digital platform that connects cat lovers, centralizes resources, and fosters a space for more people to get involved — all revolving around her favorite […]
2025 Bench to Bedside Winners Building AI Tool for Injury Prevention
Spencer Marx, a math student at the University of Utah, and partner Nathaniel Fargo, a electrical engineering and physics student, turned their idea for preventing injuries with AI into a $20,000 grand prize check by entering and winning the 2025, a medical innovation competition managed by the Center for Medical Innovation in partnership with the […]
The Healthcare Advocates: Personalized Staffing Solutions
Natalie Sandall is a driven entrepreneur and experienced health-care provider with a passion for patient care. A dental hygienist in Syracuse, Utah, for nearly 25 years, she has translated her passion for clinical interactions into building her own company. She is the co-founder of The Healthcare Advocates, a hands-on recruitment agency that she is growing […]
Anidaso Eye Centre: Delivering Vision and Hope to Rural Ghana
In a country where nearly half the rural population lacks access to basic eye care, Anidaso Eye Centre is rewriting the story of vision health in Ghana. Founded by Dr. Bright Vandyke Okyere, Anidaso is more than just a clinic — it’s a social health enterprise committed to eliminating avoidable blindness and empowering lives through restored vision. […]
Riwe: Educating and Insuring Nigerian Farmers
Israel Chigozirim is committed to returning wealth to farmers in Africa. He is doing this through his company, Riwe, an altruistic Nigerian startup in the Masters Business Creation (MBC) Global program that provides expedited insurance and crucial resources to farmers. “There has been an ironic shift in agriculture,” he said. “We see farmers struggling and […]
JGrand Commodities: From Porch-Side Passion to Ghana’s Premier Cashew Brand
A cashew nut may be small, but in the hands of Ghana’s JGrand Commodities it’s a powerful engine for local empowerment, innovation, and global expansion. The idea started modestly: just one shelf on a father’s porch. But for Justice Ganaku, that tiny beginning sparked a much bigger vision. After completing Ghana’s national service and holding […]
IQ Elevate Labs: Pre-Workout For Your Mind
Drew Johnson is combining his passion for medicine and fitness as the founder of IQ Elevate Labs, which provide cognitive enhancement supplements. He is currently growing the company in the Master of Business Creation (MBC) program at the University of Utah. With a father who was a physician, Johnson has always had a deep connection […]
No Consequence: Zero-Sugar, Low-Calorie Energy Drink
When most people think of energy drinks, they picture a jittery caffeine overload in a neon can. But one University of Utah student is flipping the script with a product designed for the everyday person — not just the extreme sports crowd. Meet No Consequence, a zero-sugar, low-calorie, and moderately caffeinated energy drink founded by […]