Apply

Portfolio

Since 2018, the Georgia Kickstart Fund has backed more than 110 companies started by UGA students. Here are the founders we've supported.

Companies appear once, grouped by their latest listed grant year. Year filters include follow-on grants.

Grant year

Showing 115 of 115 companies

2026 · 6 companies

Eagle Grip Golf

Vraj Patel & Charles Kuntz

2026Sports & Recreation
View detailsHide details

Premium golf gloves.

EngNotebook

Shriyan Kothapu and Bao Le

2026Software & IT
Funded · Fall 2026View detailsHide details

A collaboration and portfolio platform for engineering teams to organize research, data, CAD, and prototypes, track project history, and turn their work into shareable portfolios.

Prayr

Yahia Abdelkarim

2025 · 2026Software & IT
Follow-on grant · Fall 2026View detailsHide details

App that blocks phone distractions until prayer.

Quacked

Emma Chaffee

2026Education
Funded · Fall 2026View detailsHide details

An AI-powered platform that helps students practice the quantitative reasoning needed for consulting case interviews.

Skyfall Space

Grant Baumann

2026Aerospace
View detailsHide details

Low-cost way to deorbit space debris.

Switch

Gabriel Gutierrez

2026Software & IT
View detailsHide details

Routes AI prompts to the best-fit model automatically.

2025 · 18 companies

A Healthy Reminder

Maya & Neeva Gokhale

2025Apparel & Accessories
View detailsHide details

Bracelets themed around everyday health goals.

Visit website for A Healthy Reminder (opens in a new tab)

AddSynth

Zachary Hames

2025Marketing & Business Services
View detailsHide details

Custom 3D-printed branded marketing materials.

AMG Detection

Ashley Galanti

2025Healthcare
View detailsHide details

Wearable designed to predict seizures before they happen.

Visit website for AMG Detection (opens in a new tab)

Athens Scoop

Andrew Sharpe

2025Media & Entertainment
View detailsHide details

Weekly email newsletter covering Athens news, food, and events.

Dawgtown Moving

Clay Proper & Josh Sussman

2025Logistics
View detailsHide details

Full-service moving in and around Athens.

Dope Coffee

Michael Loyd

2025Food & Beverage
View detailsHide details

Specialty coffee brand rooted in hip-hop culture.

Visit website for Dope Coffee (opens in a new tab)

DormSync

Aashiq Patel & Kishan Patel

2025Education
View detailsHide details

Operations software for university housing teams.

ExamRocket

Samuel Ogbonna

2025Education
View detailsHide details

AI test prep for the IELTS, GRE, and GMAT.

Visit website for ExamRocket (opens in a new tab)

HauntFest

Madison Harpold

2025Events & Experiences
View detailsHide details

Traveling horror and Halloween festival.

Visit website for HauntFest (opens in a new tab)

High Level Acquisition

Kavin Elango & Satyam Monot

2025Marketing & Business Services
View detailsHide details

Builds digital products for creators.

Juzogo

Oge Okolo

2025Logistics
View detailsHide details

Ride-hailing where riders and drivers agree on prices directly.

Visit website for Juzogo (opens in a new tab)

KYCO Rentals

Francesco Schirripa

2025Sports & Recreation
View detailsHide details

Jet ski rentals delivered around Dallas–Fort Worth lakes.

Mindful Sprouts

Afia Lockett

2025Education
View detailsHide details

Outdoor STEM education for kids.

Nähren

Andrew Sharpe

2025Food & Beverage
View detailsHide details

Grocery app that finds the best prices across stores.

Visit website for Nähren (opens in a new tab)

NeuroDrive

Tanish Reddy

2025Automotive
View detailsHide details

Brainwave-based drowsiness detection for drivers.

Niche Supplements

Wyatt McAvoy & Quin Horensky

2025Health & Wellness
Follow-on grant recipientView detailsHide details

Pictora

Sam Lee & Xianjie Wu

2025Education
View detailsHide details

AI that turns complex concepts into visuals.

Syl

Maahir Murad & Huzaifah Malik

2025Education
Follow-on grant recipientView detailsHide details

Turns syllabi and recruiting deadlines into one calendar.

Visit website for Syl (opens in a new tab)

2024 · 19 companies

Algae Tree

Rosemary Durant & Jeffery Whitmire

2024Energy & Environment
View detailsHide details

Carbon-removing art installations for businesses.

Art by Grey

Greyson Hull

2024Apparel & Accessories
View detailsHide details

Original art, prints, and an art-driven swimwear line.

Bandit Rides

Cade Jones

2024Logistics
View detailsHide details

Golf cart rides around downtown Athens and campus.

Detail Dawgs

Jack TerHaar

2024Automotive
Follow-on grant recipientView detailsHide details

Mobile auto detailing.

Fire Truck Rentals of Atlanta

Tyler Meyer & Joshua Garcia

2024Events & Experiences
View detailsHide details

Real fire truck rentals for parties and events.

Genesis Landscaping

Brycen Lee

2024Home Services
View detailsHide details

Landscape and hardscape design and installation.

gravity

Nate von der Sitt & Aviral Mehrotra

2024Software & IT
View detailsHide details

Dating app built around mutual friends.

Lifta

Craig Scott

2024Sports & Recreation
View detailsHide details

Social platform and workout log for lifters.

Midnight Snackzzz

Michael Hearnes

2024Food & Beverage
View detailsHide details

Late-night snacks that support better sleep.

MoonTrace

Alexander Luu

2024Consumer Products
View detailsHide details

Card shuffler built for sleeved trading cards.

OpenLake

Milan Tahliani, Kunal Vohra & Cygnus Wang

2024Software & IT
View detailsHide details

Data integration infrastructure for businesses.

PhenomenalBreed

Uyiosa Ugiagbe

2024Education
View detailsHide details

Admissions and career consulting.

Pigeon

Hannah Kelly & Matthew Weiss

2024Education
View detailsHide details

Partner-based language learning app.

ProGuide

Juvis Mbeng & Mburli Tata

2024Education
View detailsHide details

Platform for remote academic document requests and AI study help.

Shine Edutainment

Michael Solomon, William Shine & Valencio Jackson

2024Media & Entertainment
View detailsHide details

Booking and brand support for educators and entertainers.

SquadSave

Adedolapo Adegbite, Adedoyin Oyewole & Michael Adegbite

2024Fintech
View detailsHide details

Group savings and credit-building for immigrants.

TLS

Sean Snarey

2024Hardware & Manufacturing
View detailsHide details

AI and robotics for poultry processing.

TruEdge Sports

Cameron Kawa

2024Sports & Recreation
View detailsHide details

Youth football camps with NFL and college athletes.

UpTo

Phillip Ellington & Victor Campos

2024Fintech
View detailsHide details

App for managing pooled group funds.

2023 · 14 companies

Afia's Leaf

Afia the Herbalist

2023Health & Wellness
View detailsHide details

Herbal remedies rooted in West African healing traditions.

AthleteMetrix

Jack Mathison

2023Sports & Recreation
View detailsHide details

NIL valuations and education for student-athletes.

CLNR

Tyler Boerma

2023Consumer Products
View detailsHide details

Sneaker cleaning kits.

Effingo

Caleb King

2023Automotive
View detailsHide details

Hard-to-find auto parts made through local machine shops.

Hailey's Healthy Hangout

Hailey Garfinkel

2023Health & Wellness
View detailsHide details

Virtual social support platform for individuals and families.

Heart of Moisture

Myrlande Demosthene

2023Beauty & Personal Care
View detailsHide details

Accessible beauty products for students of color.

Helios Analytics

Suhan Kacholia & Julian Fortuna

2023Fintech
View detailsHide details

AI-generated equity research for financial firms (formerly RightTrack).

Visit website for Helios Analytics (opens in a new tab)

Initium

Drew Puckett

2023Recruiting & Careers
View detailsHide details

Helps students break into competitive career paths.

Plantfi

Alex Breazu

2023Agriculture
View detailsHide details

Smart plant sensor and companion app.

Pool Protection Technologies

Garrett Stigall & Guy Gober

2023Consumer Products
Three Kickstart grantsView detailsHide details

Chemical-free device that prevents algae in residential pools.

Power Shot

Charlie Gaddy

2023Consumer Products
View detailsHide details

Compact emergency phone charger.

Putt Athens

Wes Swain & Cole Shackelford

2023Sports & Recreation
View detailsHide details

Mobile mini golf delivered to your event.

Sunroof Coffee

Reid Finnegan

2023Food & Beverage
View detailsHide details

Coffee shop and event space in Athens.

The Girls Trip Co

Kelsie Pearson

2023Travel & Hospitality
Follow-on grant recipientView detailsHide details

Peer-led group trips for women in their 20s (formerly Sisterhood of the Traveling 20s).

2022 · 25 companies

Athens Update

Madison Heck & Lee Evans

2022Media & Entertainment
View detailsHide details

Instagram guide to Athens stores, events, and venues.

ATL Fun Booth

Tania Rios

2022Events & Experiences
View detailsHide details

Photo booth rentals for events.

Captured Media

Emma Gillespie

2022Media & Entertainment
View detailsHide details

Video marketing and freelance production.

CarbonFinity

Jonah Margosis

2022Energy & Environment
View detailsHide details

Small-scale direct air capture units.

Chiktopia

Chris Ayers & Jeffery Whitmire

2022Agriculture
Three Kickstart grantsView detailsHide details

Solar-powered, self-moving chicken coops for pasture-raised poultry farms.

Compulzion

Garrett Stigall

2022Food & Beverage
View detailsHide details

All-natural sports drink.

Course Buddy

Zachary Rustick & Michael Hall

2022Education
View detailsHide details

Free tool that builds students' class schedules automatically.

DeraStyles

Odera Ani

2022Beauty & Personal Care
View detailsHide details

High-quality, protective faux locs.

Designed for the Kingdom

Cole Shackelford

2022Marketing & Business Services
View detailsHide details

Creative agency for marketing, advertising, and design.

JAB Productions

Joshua Bennafield

2022Media & Entertainment
View detailsHide details

Portrait, event, and lifestyle photography.

KhiKrylx

Khiari Ridley

2022Beauty & Personal Care
View detailsHide details

Nail artistry and a planned line of beginner nail supplies.

Kizzy

Ikram Arif

2022Travel & Hospitality
View detailsHide details

Nightlife app for easy access to bars and events.

Meld

Sabrina Greco

2022Recruiting & Careers
View detailsHide details

Matches UGA students with internships at Athens small businesses.

More S'Mores

Bella Silverman

2022Food & Beverage
View detailsHide details

Gourmet s'mores food truck for events and weddings.

Nytecrawl

Sean Dugan

2022Travel & Hospitality
View detailsHide details

Nightlife app with bar wait times, covers, and events.

Scrawls on Cinema

Kamryn Cannon

2022Media & Entertainment
View detailsHide details

Produces films made by UGA student filmmakers.

Shalom Silkies

Gabrielle Adekogbe

2022Apparel & Accessories
View detailsHide details

Handmade bonnets, pillowcases, and scrunchies.

Simply Sufficient Designs

Gracie Banta

2022Apparel & Accessories
View detailsHide details

Handmade clay earrings.

SkunkSkin

Matthew Tesvich

2022Apparel & Accessories
Follow-on grant recipientView detailsHide details

Odor-free antimicrobial socks (formerly Ox Sox).

Visit website for SkunkSkin (opens in a new tab)

Splendid Styles by Bri

Bria Pope

2022Beauty & Personal Care
View detailsHide details

Protective hair styling, braids, and locs.

SWAKE

Vanessa Sachs

2022Beauty & Personal Care
View detailsHide details

Sweat-proof cosmetics made for athletes.

The American Road Trips

Nathan Shear

2022Travel & Hospitality
View detailsHide details

Custom road trip itineraries.

The Backpack Project

Justin Guld, Zachary Leitz, William Ross & Chris Rosselot

2022Nonprofit & Social Impact
View detailsHide details

Nonprofit delivering backpacks of essentials to people experiencing homelessness.

The Herby Box

Kristen Dunning

2022Health & Wellness
View detailsHide details

Seasonal subscription box of herbal products.

Thryft Ship

Valeria Brenner

2022Logistics
Follow-on grant recipientView detailsHide details

Affordable USPS shipping labels for Instagram small businesses.

2021 · 13 companies

AgLite Solutions

Adrian Robbins

2021Hardware & Manufacturing
View detailsHide details

UV-C toolboxes that sterilize hand tools without chemicals.

Cocoa Amour

Maleigha Cooper

2021Apparel & Accessories
View detailsHide details

Online boutique for affordable, quality occasion wear and jewelry.

Crafted by Chi

Chimari Allen

2021Beauty & Personal Care
View detailsHide details

Freelance makeup artistry based in Athens.

Elevate Thrifts

Ade

2021Apparel & Accessories
View detailsHide details

Streetwear and vintage clothing resale and consignment.

ExonScientific

Daniel Rouhani

2021Media & Entertainment
Work published in 11 scientific journalsView detailsHide details

3D scientific illustration and animation for research institutions.

Visit website for ExonScientific (opens in a new tab)

Madison Spek Nutrition

Madison Spek

2021Health & Wellness
View detailsHide details

Nutrition coaching and meal-plan programs.

Shop Solani

Anika Kablan

2021Apparel & Accessories
View detailsHide details

Handmade jewelry and accessories.

Somewhere Waffle

Worth McFall

2021Food & Beverage
View detailsHide details

Waffle catering company with a food truck.

Stonewall Cedar

Stone Pinson

2021Consumer Products
View detailsHide details

Handmade wooden home decor and charcuterie boards.

Sweater

Nicholas Dasoveanu

2021Fintech
View detailsHide details

Social platform for sharing stock portfolios.

Syd's Sweet Spot

Sydney McRae

2021Food & Beverage
View detailsHide details

Custom decorated sugar cookies and decorating classes.

Trees for Tuition

Jack Faught & Calder Johnson

2021Nonprofit & Social Impact
View detailsHide details

Atlanta Christmas tree lot that funds college scholarships.

VRCW Unlimited

2021Marketing & Business Services
View detailsHide details

Creative brand agency for online creators.

2020 · 6 companies

Alaina Booth Productions

Alaina Booth

2020Media & Entertainment
View detailsHide details

Video production for weddings, documentaries, and music videos.

Visit website for Alaina Booth Productions (opens in a new tab)

Baylee Bakes

Baylee Marsh

2020Food & Beverage
View detailsHide details

Custom decorated cookies for parties and gifts in Athens.

Curly Strands

Natasha Robinson

2020Beauty & Personal Care
View detailsHide details

Curly hair cuts, styling, and education.

Visit website for Curly Strands (opens in a new tab)

Gently Soap

Kristen Dunning

2020Beauty & Personal Care
Techstars '23 · Shark Tank '23View detailsHide details

Natural soap for people with sensitive skin.

Visit website for Gently Soap (opens in a new tab)

Stachios

George Mouhawesse

2020Food & Beverage
View detailsHide details

Shelf-stable chocolate pistachio butter cups.

Visit website for Stachios (opens in a new tab)

Sweet Pea Boutique

Abbey Goodson

2020Apparel & Accessories
View detailsHide details

Women's clothing boutique.

2019 · 13 companies

A Date to Remember

Aminah Matthews

2019Software & IT

Credit Conscious Network

Lashundra Bedell

2019Fintech
View detailsHide details

Credit repair service building an app that connects clients with trusted credit specialists.

Gallus

Joe Burnett

2019Software & IT

Herb Girls Athens

Eileen Schaeffer

2019Food & Beverage

iVolunteer International

Nipuna Ambanpola

2019Nonprofit & Social Impact
View detailsHide details

Tech nonprofit building a global culture of volunteering.

Visit website for iVolunteer International (opens in a new tab)

MiraBlue Bio

Song Kue

2019Healthcare

MISTERS

Dylan Garcia

2019Software & IT

Origin Labs

Bailey Grady

2019Software & IT

PuppyFax

Tommy Naranjo

2019Pets

Rare Combinations

Nick Robertson

2019Hardware & Manufacturing
View detailsHide details

Alcohol-detection device for kombucha brewers.

Rugged Road Outdoors

Spencer Sutlive

2019Consumer Products
View detailsHide details

Lightweight coolers and outdoor apparel.

Visit website for Rugged Road Outdoors (opens in a new tab)

Ryze

Srikar Komanduri

2019Fintech
Backed by Village Global and Fuel CapitalView detailsHide details

Developer platform for launching regulated fintech and crypto products.

Sparke Women

Kaitlin Lutz

2019Nonprofit & Social Impact

Additional companies · 1 company

Happy Stories

Manu Pareek

Media & Entertainment
View detailsHide details

Interactive storytelling for kids.