Entrepreneurs in Training

What do customizable golf putters, robotic lawnmowers, European pastries, wedding dress shops, and biotech research have in common? They are all business ideas formed and executed by students and alumni who are part of Haslam’s ACEI.

After its inception in 2009, the ACEI received a generous contribution from the Anderson family in 2010 that has enabled the office to serve hundreds of graduate and undergraduate students, faculty, and alumni. The ACEI’s programming includes business competitions, mentoring and networking opportunities, and an entrepreneurship minor open to undergraduate students from across the university.

Competition Growth

From the beginning, business competitions like the Graves Business Plan Competition, Vol Court Speaker Series and Pitch Competition, and Boyd Venture Challenge have been part of ACEI programming. Over the years, the ACEI has awarded more than $1 million to student-own startups through these competitions thanks to the generosity of many donors.

Students face different levels of preparation depending on the competition they choose, from creating a 90-second elevator pitch for Vol Court to a 10-minute presentation for the Graves Competition and Boyd Venture Challenge. A panel of judges with industry experience awards winners anywhere from $500 up to $20,000, depending on the competition and placement.

While cash prizes help fund businesses, the experiences provide even more value, says Tony Tuber (HCB, ’24), co-founder of T Squared Putters and 2024 Vol Court and Graves Competition winner. “Your preparation makes you step back and evaluate all facets of your business,” he says. “I was able to recognize problems and make changes that I wouldn’t have made otherwise.”

Building Strong Entrepreneurial Foundations

Rheagan Haynes (HCB, ’24) became a business owner when she purchased Lace & Glam Bridal earlier this year. She connected with the ACEI to gain more experience and resources, participating in events such as Vol Court and the Women in Business, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership Summit. “Those experiences helped me step out of my comfort zone,” she says. “I was able to fine-tune my story of business ownership and share it effectively.”

Graham Taylor (MABE, ’07, ’14, ’16), founder and president of Helix Biotech, completed three degrees in biomedical engineering at UT. While working on his doctorate in 2015, Taylor connected with the ACEI and entered the Boyd Venture Challenge with his startup company, T&T Scientific. “We had the pleasure of working closely with Tom Graves and Lynn Youngs, who helped advise us on financial plans, accounting, and more,” he says. “Both were incredibly helpful advocates, and it really helped to have access to their networks and experience to guide us in the early days.”

Taylor’s company won a cash prize in the 2015 and 2016 Boyd Venture Challenges, helping them set up an initial facility. “We were officially in business thanks to the competition,” says Taylor. “The connections we made through the ACEI with investors, advisors, and business development professionals have been very valuable. I strongly believe I might not be where I am today without the ACEI.”

Beyond the Business School

The ACEI’s mission centers on connecting students with the resources they need to succeed as entrepreneurs, whether or not they are business students. ACEI executive director Breanna Hale says 50 percent of students currently involved in ACEI programming are students from outside Haslam.

Through speaker events led by community members and faculty and presented in other areas of campus, the ACEI is taking its message beyond the college’s walls. “We’re partnering with faculty and alumni from other disciplines such as music and agriculture to lead presentations that are relevant to students in those areas,” says Hale. “Ultimately, we want students to recognize that entrepreneurship is in every discipline and every field-and to discover that it’s a viable career path.”

To learn more about how you can support the ACEI, visit haslam.utk.edu/anderson-center/volunteer or email Breanna Hale at bhale19@utk.edu.