UT’s Summer Studio expands to 20 teams for third year, adds startup and scaleup tracks
The Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ACEI) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville welcomed 20 student- and alumni-led businesses spanning technology, healthcare, logistics, education, consumer products and professional services.
For 10 weeks this summer, 20 University of Tennessee student teams gave up their break to build businesses instead. The founders, ranging from sophomores to Ph.D. candidates, filed into the 121 Tech Hub in the Old City each day to work on ventures that range from artificial intelligence solutions and data science to logistics and lounging cafés.
That range is by design, according to the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ACEI). Summer Studio is now in its third year, and this time, ACEI restructured the programming to accommodate ventures at very different stages. The cohort is split into two tracks: a startup track for teams building from scratch, and a scaleup track for founders working to grow already-established businesses.
Structure aside, the cohort still comes together daily. A recurring “Morning Mindset” session brings in a founder or business leader to speak to the group, and the teams reconvene over lunch to hear directly from entrepreneurs like Brandon Bruce, who spoke to the cohort Monday.
The 10-week program provides mentorship, resources and a collaborative space designed to help ventures refine their business models and accelerate growth.
It culminates in a public demo day in August, when the 2026 cohort will present to the Knoxville community. Register here.
Meet the 2026 cohort: Startup
RouteWerx, created by Ben Colgrove and Subhash Tadiparthi, Ph.D. candidates in biosystems engineering and soil science, delivers predictive fleet routing for precision deicing, helping public works departments reduce salt usage and operational costs through technology installed directly on snowplows.
Goal Set, founded by Carson Derr, a finance senior from Brentwood, Tennessee, helps users achieve goals through accountability and community support.
AdviseAI, created by Swagat Khot, a sophomore from Memphis majoring in industrial engineering and minoring in computer science, helps academic advisors respond more efficiently to student inquiries.
Arbor AI, founded by Winston College of Law J.D. candidate Patrick Ragozzine, provides legal research and document-management tools for small law firms.
JobWillow, founded by Jack Ford, is creating a trust-based platform connecting students with internships and employment opportunities.
Knoxville’s Anna McClure (UT Ph.D., ’25) founded an AI platform uses instructor-informed artificial intelligence to streamline speech evaluation and feedback for educators.
Grain Fitness, founded by Marius Bryce Pierre Jardret, a biomedical engineering senior from Knoxville, is developing a strength-focused exercise gaming platform designed to remove traditional barriers to exercise.
HighHeat, founded by Josef Govednik (UT, ’26), uses advanced analytics to help baseball pitchers at all levels improve performance and development.
Syntrae, founded by Tan Hoang (UT, ’25), applies data science and quantitative modeling to help individuals better understand and strengthen personal relationships.
SherSpinz, founded by Sherleen Mwaura, a music business administration senior from Knoxville, amplifies underrepresented artists through music discovery, live radio programming and community engagement.
Cameron Delaney Creative, founded by Cameron Wright (UT, ’26), provides marketing, branding and content creation services to help small businesses grow their presence and reach new audiences.
ZeroCross, founded by Zara Malik, a graduate student in computer science, data mining and intelligent systems, is building a commercial kitchen venture focused on a gluten- and nut-free production space for globally inspired flavors.
A college-themed café concept, in development by Jade Owen, a Nashville native and junior finance major, designed as a hub for productivity, dining and community events.
Meet the 2026 cohort: Scaleup
CodeBrosAI, founded by computer science senior Simon Buhl of Franklin, Tennessee, is reimagining the graphing calculator through on-device AI tutoring and enhanced connectivity.
Hixson AI, founded by Evan Elg (HCB, ’25), develops custom AI systems for mid-market organizations.
Lunara Works, led by Tekobo Dongmo (UT, ’26), is building an AI-powered receptionist for home service businesses.
Big Al’s Hot Mustard, founded by Alex Del Vecchio, produces a clean-label condiment brand sold across the U.S. and internationally.
Vetra, founded by Avi Patel, a finance senior with a marketing minor and an entrepreneurship minor from Johnson City, Tennessee, helps automotive repair shops streamline quoting, job handoffs and day-to-day operations through intelligent software.
Tornado Logistics LLC, led by Samuel Pierce and Quinten Jones, provides end-to-end logistics and contracting solutions powered by its proprietary Tempest System.
Helose, led by biomaterials graduate student Julian Pratt, uses AI analytics to improve operational performance in ambulatory surgery centers.
Demo day is scheduled for Thursday, August 20 and open to the public. Register here.
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