52 Founders Admitted to the Master of Business Creation Program for Fall 2025

Salt Lake City, Utah – October 30, 2025

Fifty-two founders from the U.S. and Africa were admitted for fall 2025 into the award-winning Master of Business Creation (MBC) program, which is provided by the Department of Entrepreneurship & Strategy in partnership with the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business.

They will be accelerating their startup companies in this high-value program for entrepreneurs with help from personalized mentoring, applied curriculum, access to grants for their business and more.

Thirteen of the founders from across the U.S. are enrolled in MBC Online, a virtual, flexible option that spans three semesters; 19 founders enrolled in MBC In-Person, a full-time, on-campus option that spans two semesters; and 20 founders from Africa enrolled in MBC Global, an online option provided for candidates who live outside the U.S.

See a complete listing of the founders and their startups below.

All of them have made progress establishing their companies and are looking to increase sales and build and grow their companies.“We look forward to working with each of the new founders to help them scale their businesses, as they also learn what it takes to be an entrepreneur,” said Jeff Davis, director of the MBC program and a professor in the Department of Marketing at the Eccles School.

“The Master of Business Creation combines the best of a graduate-degree program with a business accelerator. Founders enrolled get the best of both while also joining a growing global network of entrepreneurs. It is our objective to become the world’s leading business accelerator plus graduate degree for serious entrepreneurs.”

The application is now open to join the MBC program in fall 2026. The priority application deadline is March 20, 2026. Admitted applicants in the U.S. will receive a $1,000 scholarship if they apply by the priority application deadline (restrictions apply).

Space is limited, so early applications are encouraged.

Apply and learn more here.

The Eccles School created the MBC program to blend the best attributes of a top-tier business curriculum with a startup accelerator. The founders develop their startups during the program while taking classes from leading experts and receiving extensive resources and one-on-one mentorship to help them address their immediate business needs.

The MBC program is one of the latest additions to the Eccles School, which celebrates entrepreneurship as a core value and fosters it throughout its undergraduate and graduate programs. The program was recently recognized by the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers for “Excellence in Entrepreneurship Teaching and Pedagogical Innovation,” and the program won first place recently in the professional-services category in the Utah Innovation Awards managed by Utah Business and Foley & Lardner.“

We are looking for founders with early-stage companies who want to take their business and future as an entrepreneur to the next level,” Davis said. “We are currently accepting applications to enroll in the program in every format next year. We invite you to learn more, attend our online info sessions, and discover what the MBC program can do for you and your startup.”

Annika Holmberg Stacey is one of the founders who joined the MBC Online program starting fall 2025. Her company Gilded, based in Colorado, sells high-end artistic coffee table books. “I enrolled to gain the skills to grow my business, learn more about how to make strategic decisions, and to make connections,” she said.

“I love that it is directly applicable to my business, rather than general business knowledge.”Kelby Gatrell enrolled in the MBC In-Person option. He is the co-founder of Yatta Golf, which sells golf apparel and accessories, including a patented golf tee. “I love that the entire (MBC) program is focused on application to our businesses,” he said.

“Case studies are fun and all, but I am building something now, and I need help with this real business now.”Brigitha Chuwa enrolled in MBC Global option from Tanzania. She is the founder of OBRI Africa, an agrifood company providing food, agricultural solutions and industrial products that are vital for living.

"What appeals to me about the MBC program is the strong sense of community and belonging among entrepreneurs who share similar values and aspirations," Chuwa added. "I was drawn to its practical, hands-on approach that allows entrepreneurs to grow their business while learning."

Learn more about the Master of Business Creation program at https://eccles.utah.edu/mbc.

MBC Online Founders Fall 2025

Cultivated Collective (Jose Mikey Chacon, of Utah) – Provides merchandise and event monetization opportunities for local independent musical artists.
fulFilled Lifestyle Co. (Kimberly Lynn Flores, of Utah) – Sustainable lifestyle company with a retail space in Park City that emphasizes more eco-friendly approaches to personal care and cleaning products.
Hitchyard (Matt Hill, of Utah) – Marketplace for independent truckers and businesses that need to ship freight locally.
Gilded (Annika Stacey, of Colorado) – High-end artistic coffee table books.
Navarii (Olivia Stromberg, of Idaho) – Wellness marketplace that matches customers with spa and wellness providers.
Premier Spike (Taylor Sanford, of Utah) – High-quality backyard spike ball equipment.
Pretend (Michael Potter, of California) – Online platform that allows brands to create and organize marketing collateral.
SOS Play (Leadelle Parish, of Utah) – Stuffed toy that delivers bilateral therapeutic stimulation to children with neurodivergent or motor skills challenges.
SP1 (Levi Johnson, of Utah) – Marketplace that matches outdoor service providers with owners and property managers of commercial properties.
Stag Media (Benjamin Steele, of California) – Veteran-founded media, content, and marketing agency.
StoryTeller (Deepak Yericherla, of India) – AI-powered health condition monitoring and guidance software for seniors.
UPPMODEL (Nathan Connell, of Utah) – Marketplace platform that connects manufacturers and machine shops with clients who need their services.
Vim and Zen (Natalie Peterson, of Idaho) – Coaching and content for individuals who want to enrich relationships by first developing self-love.

MBC In-Person Founders Fall 2025

Aldrich Solution (Ryan Siner) – Aldrich Solution is a veteran-owned manufacturers’ rep agency specializing in medical, safety and aviation safety products, connecting trusted manufacturers with healthcare providers, first responders and government buyers.
Always Outdoor (Jake Esayian) – A social-networking platform to connect outdoor enthusiasts with one another.
Beehive Statement (Roy Burton) – A new retail concept and corporate gifting business that features high-quality and unique Utah-made products.
BitHedge (Daniel Holbrook) – Bitcoin-denominated investment fund offering upside exposure to Bitcoin with zero downside risk through hedging against income-producing real estate.
Bravo Estates (Bryan Arbon) – A luxury estates management company that provides tailored property oversight.
Consolve (Millika Grant) – Robust CRM and marketing solutions to help companies scale by improving your operational efficiency, boosting the ROI of your marketing efforts and freeing up more time for you to focus on high-value, strategic work.
Curb Appeal (Carter Filion) – Makes caring for your home’s exterior simple by providing one trusted place for every service, from lawn care to gutter cleaning, all backed by guaranteed results.
Dani King (Danielle King) – An extended-size women's shoe company creating high quality and fashion forward shoes in sizes 9-12.
DesignAdvertise.ai (Michael Beckrest) – AI marketing platform helping businesses grow through AI-driven advertising and strategic campaign management.
Equilibrium Engines (David Edwards) – Develops specialized electrical generators for the renewable energy industry.
Juah Apparel (Princess Bombyck) – A purpose-driven activewear brand creating affordable, stylish designs that empower women to take charge of their health while building confidence and community.
LEAP Co-Op+ (Jonah Delgado) – A nonprofit that provides six-week courses that help lower-skilled unemployed clients become certified in elder or childcare and then places them in relevant jobs.
Parlay Technologies (Taylor Galbraith) – Parlay is an AI-powered sales coaching platform designed to help sales leaders gain comprehensive visibility into their team's performance.
Peak Five Collective (Jack Bittel) – Works within the cycling industry to help solve the problem of excess inventory, while offering consumers fantastic prices on bike parts.
Skyline Visuals (Garrett Petersen) – Creative studio that blends business strategy with visual storytelling to help companies grow through impactful video.
Steward Land Co. (Mormon Redd) – Real estate development company specializing in preparing land for development. Their core focus is on getting land entitled to prepare it for construction so more homes can be built for Utah families.
Transfer Credit (Jared Zemp) – Helps businesses offer in-house financing to fund their growth.
VIBE Swimwear (Rachel Maughan) – Luxury sustainable swimwear made in Brazil abiding by strict eco-friendly practices.
Yatta Golf (Kelby Gatrell) – Help people "enjoy the heck out of golf" with apparel and accessories, including a patented golf tee.

MBC Global Founders Fall 2025

Achievers Foods (Millicent Agidipo, of Ghana) – An agribusiness that works with local smallholder women farmers, employing sustainable agriculture practices and modern drying technologies to process turkey berries into teas, powders, juices and jams.
AgriMercarb (Luther Jesse Quarshie, of Ghana) – An insect technology startup, using black soldier fly to transform organic waste into valuable products like animal feed, fertilizer, and briquettes.
Agserver (Emmanuel Chibuike, of Nigeria) – An agritech startup that provides digital extension services to farmers via any mobile phone, with or without access to the internet, using their indigenous languages.
Akan Republic (Julian Frimpong, of Ghana) – A sustainable lifestyle and home décor company that celebrates African craftsmanship through the creation of beautifully handwoven products.
Castor Care Ghana (Kwaku Anim-Asiedu, of Ghana) – A trader of food commodities, introduces a farm-to-table supply chain optimization platform leveraging technology.
City Reads Books & Stationery (Priscilla Abasi, of Ghana) –An indie bookstore committed to provide all readers in Ghana with the best books.
Dakeauth GP Farms & IFEM Company (Emmanuel Ampern-Darko Anarfi, of Ghana) –An agribusiness manufacturing plantain flour and its related products.
Easy Purchase (Laud Boakye-Ansah, of Ghana) – A purchasing platform company that allows low- and middle-income earners purchase goods and services conveniently through our tailor-made payment methods.
EchoHouse Africa (Beryl Agyekum-Ayaaba and Bright Mamud-Ayaaba, of Ghana) – A full-service marketing agency founded in Ghana, with footprints across Africa. It guides brands to recruit and engage African youth audiences.
Econexus Ventures (Prince Essel, of Ghana) – A social enterprise aiming to provide affordable, reliable, and clean-burning bioethanol fuels and stoves to millions in Ghana and Africa.
ENK.It (Kelvin Frimpong, of Ghana) – A creative manufacturing and design brand in the furniture and interior solutions industry, dedicated to blending modern technology with skilled craftsmanship to create high-quality, custom-made furnishings for residential, commercial and outdoor spaces.
Kiryondis Enterprises (Ruth Boiyo, of Kenya) – Provides road development and repair.
Kobiro Safaries and Tours (Sheila Too, of Kenya) – Offers an end-to-end service for safaris and tours.
Nurture Mentorship (Henry Duah, of Ghana) – A social enterprise dedicated to closing the mentorship gap for tertiary students in Ghana through our flagship Nurture Mentorship Fellowship Program and online platform.
OBRI Africa (Brigitha Faustin Chuwa, of Tanzania) – An agrifood company focused on sustainable food production, innovative agricultural solutions and essential industrial products for everyday life.
Rosswood Company (Priscilla Asante, of Ghana) – Nourishing consumers and communities to sustainable lives through healthy everyday foods.
Rural Farmers Hub (Gabriel Eze, of Nigeria) – A digital agriculture startup serving smallholder farmers that bridges traditional farming practices with digital innovation, harnessing advanced technologies.
Tradecap Solutions (Emmanuel Amankwah, of Ghana) – A Ghanaian financial intermediary established to bridge the gap between micro, small and medium enterprises and accessible finance.
Weassist Virtual (Oluwatobiloba Akinrimisi, of Nigeria) – A snack brand focused on creating healthy, nostalgic snacks using authentic homemade recipes.

About the David Eccles School of Business

At the Eccles School, students do more than earn a degree or learn business – they live the experience with hands-on immersive learning. This empowers students to graduate not only with a degree, but the real-world experience, the mindset, skills and confidence to succeed. Founded in 1917 and educating more than 6,000 students annually, the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah offers nine undergraduate majors, four MBA programs, eight specialized master’s programs, five Ph.D. academic tracks and an executive education program.

The Eccles School is also home to more than 16 institutes, centers and initiatives, which create societal impact through academic research, applied knowledge, leadership and innovation. Learn more at eccles.utah.edu.