University of Tennessee, Knoxville, students Andrew Kuntz, Katy Daniels, Semilore Abiodun-Adeniyi, Laython Holder, Mirka Mandich and Saurabh Pethe are the winners of the annual Boyd Venture Challenge, hosted by the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ACEI) in the Haslam College of Business.
The Boyd Venture Challenge provides student entrepreneurs with a platform to grow their businesses through mentorship, strategic development and seed funding. By pitching their ventures to a panel of distinguished judges, participants gain critical feedback, hands-on pitching experience and the chance to earn non-dilutive funding to support their company’s growth.
“It’s incredibly exciting to hear from passionate young entrepreneurs developing businesses ranging from active shooter mitigation software to an Appalachian bed and breakfast, carbon capture technology, a platform connecting businesses with micro-influencers, and so much more,” said Breanna Hale, executive director of the ACEI. “The range of ideas we hear on pitch day shows that entrepreneurship isn’t limited to one field — it’s everywhere. No matter the industry, our students are finding creative ways to solve real problems and make life better for people here at home and around the world. Their resilience, creativity and passion continue to inspire me year after year.”
Boyd Venture Challenge Winners
Salubrium Aegis LLC, a company dedicated to producing the world’s most comfortable ballistic inserts, was awarded $15,000. Andrew Kuntz, an M.S. in Supply Chain Management graduate student from Georgetown, Texas, founded the company to ensure military personnel, law enforcement and first responders are free from discomfort when making critical tactical decisions.
“Winning the Boyd Venture Challenge is a pivotal moment for Salubrium Aegis,” said Kuntz. “It validates our innovative approach to body armor and provides invaluable resources to accelerate our mission of protecting those who protect us. This recognition not only boosts our visibility but also strengthens our commitment to delivering superior, life-saving products.”
The Henry BnB, a customizable agritourism farm-stay experience, was awarded $10,000. Katy Daniels, a biosystems engineering Ph.D. candidate from Seymour, Tennessee, founded The Henry BnB to offer guests immersive lodging paired with hands-on agricultural activities. Rooted in East Tennessee culture, the business blends sustainability, cultural preservation and relaxation into one meaningful stay.
“Winning the Boyd Venture Challenge Competition is a huge step toward making The Henry BnB a reality,” said Daniels. “It validates my vision of reconnecting people with the land and preserving Appalachian traditions through sustainable and educational tourism.”
Tavern Game Technologies, a social platform designed to unite the Tabletop Roleplaying Game community, was awarded $2,500. Semilore “Semmy” Abiodun-Adeniyi, a computer science and data science student from Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and Laython “V” Holder, a biomedical engineering student from Dyersburg, Tennessee, co-founded Tavern to build a dedicated space for TTRPG players and creators. Their team also includes co-founders Ahmed Ghazi and Kevin Lam.
“Winning the Boyd Venture Challenge is what we needed to propel Tavern to its next stage,” says Abiodun-Adeniyi. “Without the systems set in place by the Anderson Center, we wouldn’t have come this far, and so we are extremely grateful.”
AlchemII, a deep-tech startup converting natural gas into clean hydrogen and high-value carbon, was awarded $2,500. Mirka Mandich of Everett, Washington, and Saurabh Pethe of Pune, Maharashtra, India, co-founded the company as PhD candidates in energy science and engineering. With its proprietary technology and dual-product business model, AlchemII aims to make clean hydrogen more affordable for companies pursuing sustainability, while also contributing to American energy independence.
“Winning the Boyd Venture Challenge gives us the momentum to build a proof-of-concept and demonstrate the potential of our technology,” said Mandich. “It’s an encouraging first step that boosts our confidence and validates our mission to solve real-world problems.”
The Boyd Venture Challenge is proudly made possible through the generous support of the Boyd Foundation, whose commitment to student innovation and entrepreneurship continues to create life-changing opportunities.
About the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
The Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, housed in Haslam, is the front door to entrepreneurship at UT, connecting entrepreneurs and innovators at every stage with the resources, networks and expertise needed to solve real challenges. By cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset across campus, connecting entrepreneurs with resources and mentorship they need to grow and collaborating with the UT and regional ecosystem, the Anderson Center is developing an entrepreneurial culture where Volunteers are empowered to identify unmet needs and take bold action to create value through new ventures.
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