This summer, five ԱƵ student- and alumni-led ventures took big steps forward — validating ideas, building prototypes, and preparing to launch. From AI to agriculture to the arts, this year’s TIA Summer Accelerator proved that with the right mentorship and structure, bold ideas can grow fast. For the first time, we expanded the program to include a venture in the arts — welcoming singer-songwriter Lisa Heller to explore how the accelerator model can support creative entrepreneurs.
Program Snapshot
The program featured five ventures, from AI-powered outdoor gear recommendations to hydroponic vanilla farms. The program takes place over an eight-week period, beginning with a two-week on-campus bootcamp. The ventures then have five weeks of field work, followed by one week of capstone prep and a reception in New York City. There are five mentors involved with the program: myself, Andres Echenique ’86, Steve Rock ’85, Brian Horey ’82, and Kim Schafer ’92.
Bootcamp Highlights:
- Ventures began by crafting a mission statement — their north star.
- Bootcamp focused on proof-of-concept, market validation, and pitch prep. It culminated at the TIA Launch Lunch with 40+ faculty, staff, and alumni, where teams pitched their work-in-progress.
Community Building:
An integral part of the accelerator is community building. We hosted two team lunches that brought together the mentors, the E&I team, and the ventures. These lunches fostered connection, support, and informal learning. A special highlight was dinner at Steve Rock’s home — which ended with an unplanned Q&A. Our ventures had the opportunity to hear candid insights from Steve’s life and career, the challenges, failures, successes, and key lessons that shaped his journey. We also embarked on a field trip to Farmstead 1868, a TIA venture founded by Monica Coldy. Ventures gained crucial perspectives from Monica’s entrepreneurial journey and the unexpected twists and turns that have shaped her business. One of the most fundamental takeaways from all of these activities was to not only expect the unexpected, but to welcome it. Often, the answer you are looking for as an entrepreneur will come in ways you could never predict.
Fieldwork Focus:
- Weekly 1:1 mentor meetings and full-group mentor sessions.
- Focused on execution, refinement, and preparing for the final pitch.
Venture Highlights:
- LJH Publishing (Alumna Lisa Heller): Released two new songs — “Help” and “Is Anyone Listening?” — and reframed her approach from artist to entrepreneurial creator. She also launched the Is Anyone Listening Instagram channel to foster deeper connection with her fanbase.
- Rendezvu (Hunter Macy ’22): Onboarded expert guides, secured initial outfitter partnerships, and is launching his MVP this week.
- Vitalize (Talia Broder ’28): Securing U.S. manufacturing partner and prepping preorder campaign.
- IntelliLight (Pahul Sachdeva ’25 and Aizaz Faisal ’24): Deep into customer discovery, prototyping, and preorder planning.
- Shneer Agritech (Diya Badola ’25 and Jahanvi Chamria ’28): Tested hydroponic vanilla prototype and planning scale-up for product refinement and testing.
What’s Next:
- Pitch Prep + Luncheon: Ventures returned to campus this week for final feedback and community celebration.
- NYC Capstone Event, July 24: The teams travel to New York City for their final showcase.
A Personal Note:
This summer marks my final program as entrepreneur in residence and the end of my time with TIA. I’m incredibly grateful for the support of this community and proud to have closed this chapter with such a strong group of ventures. Watching these five teams grow, push boundaries, and lead with purpose has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my time at ԱƵ.
The Bottom Line:
This year’s accelerator pushed boundaries — supporting more students and alumni, across more industries, with more tailored support than ever before. The ventures are stronger, clearer, and more focused, and we can’t wait to see them shine in NYC.
on July 24 in NYC.