Launching the Venture

The Dukes Venture Accelerator is a six-week, paid summer internship program designed to take established, scalable student ventures to the next level. Accelerate your startup, acquire customers and de-risk your startup using proven methods all while forming close mentoring relationships with expert entrepreneurs in this competitive program.

Held in the Gilliam Center for Entrepreneurship, this program gives you the tools and skills needed to de-risk your venture and achieve your entrepreneurial goals, while working under the supervision of the GCFE team.

Meet the 2024 Cohort

• BilingualKid Language Immersion School - Fosters diversity and kind world citizens through a Spanish and ASL immersion preschool.
  Founded by Claudia Robles Arias, (’26, Early Childhood Education) 
  
  
• Blink Junk Removal - Offers an inexpensive, simple, and fast solution to clutter. Blink Junk removal is an alternative waste management company, helping to optimize your space through organization and removal of unwanted items.  
  Founded by Ryan Reiffer (’26, Sociology)
  
  
• Connell Studio - Brings style and identity to campus life with “collegiate fashion” for various college organizations, such as Greek life, and offers blank clothing for custom printing.
  Founded by Brendan Connell, (’24, Communications)
  
  
• Corona's Blessings - Caters baked goods and Latino treats for special events such as parties, birthdays, weddings and more.
  Founded by Jennifer Santiago (’25, Accounting - BRCC) 
  
  
• Dreaming Reality – Combines street-wear fashion and business attire to foster a community of high-achieving, like-minded individuals. Items are designed with attention to detail and are intended to spread positive messages.
  Founded by Donte Andrews (’26, Computer Information Systems) 
  
  
• Garage162 – Provides an entertaining, motivational motor sports database detailing best practices and hosting a wealth of information for anyone wanting to get into the sport. Find answers to your questions in a user-friendly, convenient manner.
  Founded by Mason Leuck (’25, Marketing)
  
  
• Godgiven Beauty - Offers lip oils, balms, scrubs and masks infused with pure essential oils and herbs.
  Founded by Melanie Hubbard (’24, Master of Business Administration) 
  
  
• Julie Harrison Eastwood: Enamels - Creates enameled copper necklaces and earrings with bold forms and bright colors.
  Founded by Julie Harrison Eastwood (’24, Studio Art) 
  
  
• Mark Us Music - Writes, performs, engineers, and releases music with themes of self-love and personal growth.
  Founded by Jared Marcus (’26, Business Management)
  
  
• Poplar Hollow Provisions Company - Offers a farm-to-table experience while celebrating the beauty of rural sustainable living by selling homegrown produce, flowers, and other products at local farmers markets.
  Founded by Bayleigh Hoover (’25, Agriculture Business Management - BRCC) 
  
  
• The Preparation Kitchen - Offers step-by-step multimedia meal preparation lessons. Learn about the instruments available in your kitchen and develop the critical thinking skills needed to plan your meals before you hit the grocery store.
  Founded by Nicholas Jordan (’25, Computer Information Systems)
  
  
• Slate Holdings, LLC - Offers a social media management tool that currently has over 19,000 users.
  Co-Founded by Philip Breen (’26, Engineering) and Dylan Molodow (’26, Computer Information Systems)
  
  
• V-17 Climbing - Offers a new, innovative outdoor pack specially designed for climbing and bouldering enthusiasts. The V-17 Pack is lightweight, durable, and ergonomic and includes compartments for all of your gear.
  Founded by Helen McDowell (’23, Industrial Design)