Anderson Center
ACEI Founders’ Pledge
The Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ACEI) empowers University of Tennessee, Knoxville, entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses while in school through experiential opportunities, programming, coaching, pitch competition funding, networking and more. We support entrepreneurs because we know they are a powerful catalyst for change, spurring economic and social growth with their innovation, discovery, creativity and resilient dedication.
We invite our UT founders to consider joining us in giving back to aspiring entrepreneurs and their ventures, inspiring our community and contributing to positive change in the world.
The ACEI Founders’ Pledge allows our entrepreneurs to signal their intention to empower altruism as they progress toward milestones on their entrepreneurial journey, connecting with university resources and other UT founders to leverage talent and networks.
By pledging a portion of their future venture’s success now, they align themselves with a tradition of giving back and set an example for fellow entrepreneurs. It also showcases their commitment to continue to support the UT and Tennessee entrepreneurial ecosystem as we light the way ahead for the future generation of entrepreneurs.
Anderson Center
Founders’ Pledge Community
UT President Randy Boyd (’79)
The Boyd Foundation
Lydia Capps (’25)
Wallace Real Estate
Maxwell Coggin (’26)
Pink Apron
Derrick Furlow Jr. (’09)
Onrise
Mark Huber (’97)
iSustain Inc.
Emma Lakatosh (’25)
Dogwood Picnics
Pierce LaMacchia (’12)
K Brew
Brennan Lessard (’25)
Paint & Repair
Mickey Napier (’24)
Napier Athletics
Ian Parten (’24)
MIC Foundation
Wesley Pitts (’25)
KnoxBots
Gary Pratt (’77)
Surgical Review Corporation
Alexa Schnittka (’24)
Athlete Meditations, LLC
Camden Shuman (’24)
Aeroshine
Michael Tuber (’25)
T Squared Putters
Tony Tuber (’24)
T Squared Putters
Lia Winter (’19)
Winter Innovations