Get to know the 13 student ventures selected for The Hatchery’s Summer Accelerator
June 25, 2025 Christina Steiner
This summer, 13 student-led ventures across Emory’s undergraduate, graduate and professional programs are participating in The Hatchery Summer Accelerator, an intensive 10-week program designed to help student founders push their ventures forward.
The Accelerator, which kicked off May 29, focuses on middle- to later-stage ventures that are already testing their products or services with users; have started receiving payments, donations or grants; or are looking to scale their operations. Student founders receive weekly instruction from Hatchery staff on topics ranging from marketing and legal considerations to financial modeling and customer development. Each team is also paired with an innovator in residence who brings subject-matter knowledge and practical insights to weekly mentoring and coaching sessions.
“Innovation is often romanticized as a solo journey, but building a successful venture takes a community,” says Rizky Etika, programming coordinator at The Hatchery. “The Accelerator creates a space where students can test ideas, get honest feedback and build the confidence and connections they need to take their next big steps.”
New to the program this year is the implementation of studio time, which runs in conjunction with weekly Accelerator sessions. Studio time is meant to reduce the gap between theory and practice for student founders by requiring them to get hands-on work done immediately following in-person workshops held at The Hatchery.
A defining feature of the program is its focus on founder sustainability. Ventures receive financial support equivalent to 40 hours per week per team at $15/hour, allowing students to dedicate themselves fully to their projects over the summer. Teams also gain access to university-wide resources, alumni networks and potential partner organizations in Atlanta and beyond.
Twenty-nine applications were received from students across Emory’s campuses, with the final cohort representing five of the university’s schools and colleges. Three of the ventures participated in the inaugural SideHustle 1.0 Program at Oxford College spring semester, which provided the support and resources needed to grow their businesses and qualify for the Accelerator.
“Oxford’s cultivation of intellectual curiosity, problem-solving and leadership among our students naturally positions them for opportunities like the Summer Accelerator,” says Oxford College Dean Badia Ahad. “We’re incredibly proud to partner with The Hatchery and grateful for their support of SideHustle 1.0 — an Oxford-designed program that connects our students with meaningful mentorship from accomplished alumni and university partners as they shape their ideas into fully formed ventures.”
Meet the 2025 Summer Accelerator cohort
This summer’s cohort reflects a diverse range of sectors, from health and wellness to AI, education and food access. The Hatchery Summer Accelerator continues through the end of July, culminating in a mock Advisory Board Pitch, where student teams present their progress and plans to members of the business community, other founders and potential funders.
Click the venture names to learn more.
The CaseBot: Founders and Palladin Fellows, Raphael Nelson (Oxford College, Goziueta Business School, BBA program) and Isabel Horne (Oxford College, Emory College, BA program)
The CaseBot is an AI-powered tool designed to help students master case interviews. It provides tailored practice, feedback and guidance to build skills and confidence.
Nelson and Horne are the first recipients of a sponsored fellowship in conjunction with the Summer Accelerator program. The new sponsorship model provides targeted support to a stand-out student team and connects them with experienced mentors who have firsthand understanding of the entrepreneurial journey. The partnership is made possible through Palladin Technologies, which was founded by Emory alum Brandon Ward.
Digital Hope Rwanda: Amani Murera (Goizueta Business School, MSBA alumna)
A hands-on information and communication technologies training and basic computer literacy program that empowers underserved rural Rwandans with the skills they need to participate and succeed in today’s digital world.
Greater Change Health: Amari Morton (Emory College alumna, psychology)
Greater Change is committed to providing accessible, ethical and culturally competent mental health care tailored to each individual’s needs, with a focus on supporting young adults while ensuring quality, affordable help for all who seek it.
International Research and Innovation Society (IRIS): Allen Kong (School of Medicine, MD program)
A nonprofit organization supporting domestic and international medical students applying to residency programs in the U.S.
Knowing Labs AI: Sam Liu and William Kong (Goizueta School of Business, rising juniors, BBA program)
Knowing Labs AI is building an AI tutor that delivers human-level performance at a fraction of the cost, starting with writing.
Matcha Sis: Aisha Tunkara (Oxford College and Goizueta Business School, BBA alumna)
Matcha Sis offers organic and premium matcha sourced directly from the tea fields of Japan.
PADs Improve Care, Inc.: Lauren Lang (Laney Graduate School, PhD program)
A Georgia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization aimed at educating individuals about psychiatric advance directives (PADs) and reducing barriers to completing one through community workshops.
Playtz: Amogh Magesh and Aravind Venkatachalam (Oxford College, Emory College, rising juniors, BS program)
Playtz is a tech-free service designed to alleviate barriers to healthy eating among populations with low socioeconomic status who are suffering from diabetes.
Senior Shield Technologies: Kareem Elfoulie (School of Medicine and Georgia Tech, biomedical engineering dual degree program)
Senior Shield is making Tenative, a wearable sensor that helps preserve patient dignity and well-being by alerting caregivers when their senior loved ones need incontinence garments changed.
Sera Hospitality Group / ATL Ragers: Hunter Richmond and Eamon Walsh (Oxford College, rising sophomores, BBA program)
Sera Hospitality Group LLC, with its sub-brand ATL Ragers, is an event service and promotion company tailored to the 18+ audience.
Skip&Dine: Vanshika Mittal (Emory College, Goizueta Business School, rising junior, BA in psychology and BBA programs)
Skip&Dine is a pre-order food pick-up service that helps busy Emory students quickly access affordable, diverse meals at convenient on-campus locations.
Smush: Helen Khuri (Emory College, rising senior, BA in art history)
Smush produces fashionable compression socks and tights for all women.
Taste & See Fresh: Nate Occilien-Similien (Oxford College, rising sophomore, BBA program)
Taste & See Fresh is a beverage venture committed to providing fresh-frozen, unpasteurized, cold-pressed juices to underserved rural communities, busy individuals and health-conscious consumers.
