Meet the FAF
ALUMNI
FORTY ACRES FOUNDERS ALUMNI
Each 20-strong Cohort of the Forty Acres Founders Pre-Accelerator Program, spends a semester rigorously establishing if a market need existed for their product or service. Some continue their projects with FAF-gained tools and funding, while others are use their entrepreneurial skillsets to develop new ideas.
Our founders have represented colleges across the university, including the McCombs School of Business, Moody College of Communication, Cockrell School of Engineering, and the College of Liberal Arts.
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Meet the Forty Acres Founders
Chase Eriksson
Part Scout is an AI-powered platform that helps recyclers identify and price valuable vehicle parts. It analyzes millions of components to predict value and demand, then generates optimized market place listings. This reduces waste, lowers costs, and improves profitability in auto recycling.
Christopher Salha
U-Care Biosensor is a clip-on device that detects catheter-related infections early. It provides real-time alerts, reducing the need to wait for lab results. The solution helps caregivers prevent complications and improve patient outcomes.
Gowtham Velu
The Coco Core develops high-performance coconut coir growing media for sustainable agriculture. It replaces peat moss with a renewable alternative sourced from coconut waste. The product supports healthier plant growth while reducing environmental impact.
Isabel King
Amulet is a personal safety necklace paired with a mobile app that helps users quickly call for help. With one discreet press, users can send alerts, share location, and record audio or video. The system is designed for everyday wear, offering a simple and reliable safety solution.
Chris Tran
Symphonic Replay produces orchestral arrangements of video game music for concerts and recordings. The company partners with creators and gaming studios to license and distribute these works. It expands audience reach while supporting musicians and composers.
Nandini Mangalapalli
Period Punch is a functional wellness beverage designed to provide natural relief from menstrual cramps. Made with clean, anti-inflammatory ingredients, it offers an alternative to traditional medications. The brand focuses on holistic health, transparency, and empowerment.
Ikenna Egbosimba
Alpha Signal helps growth equity firms and SaaS companies turn complex data into investor-ready insights. The platform automates financial analytics and uses AI to generate standardized KPI dashboards. This replaces manual reporting and provides clear visibility into performance and operations.
Mark Hallett
Hallett Brothers LLC is developing a scalable approach to small multifamily housing using prefab-forward construction. The model is designed to make small-density housing more efficient and financially viable. Their current focus is a proof-of-concept project called Build Zero.
Nicole Wu
Apovo Health is an AI-powered personal health navigator designed to support patients beyond clinical care. It connects users to educational content and psychosocial resources tailored to their needs. The platform helps bridge gaps in care, especially for complex conditions like cancer.
Wes Barlow
Zeez is creating a smarter way to sleep away from home. Through an on-demand rental platform, Zeez delivers premium mattress experiences for hosts, travelers, and short-term stays — with a long-term vision to transform the portable sleep category.
Zahra Shaikhali
Praxis is a simulation-based learning platform that transforms classroom discussions into structured, real-world decision-making experiences. Professors create and run interactive scenarios, while the platform generates insights and reports for debriefing. It brings applied, data-driven learning into the classroom.
Aiden Pradhan
Kid Curious is an AI-powered platform that helps parents understand their child’s digital behavior. It aggregates online activity into one dashboard and generates actionable insights. The tool focuses on identifying interests and guiding development, not just monitoring risk.
Chaz Zayed
Dojo Soy Sauce is a premium consumer brand rooted in authentic Japanese tradition, brewed in Japan using a 170-year-old fermentation process that delivers depth and true umami. Dojo elevates everyday cooking with higher quality and authenticity than typical U.S. soy sauce brands.
Joseph Schmidt
OmniSpectra builds wearable sensors for industrial equipment that monitor internal conditions without disrupting operations. The system converts physical and chemical signals into early warnings so operators can predict failures before they happen. This enables more proactive maintenance, reducing downtime and costs.
Marco Julian Gonzalez
Bonzai Technologies provides bilingual AI tools for law firms to handle calls, intake, and follow-ups. The platform improves accessibility for Spanish-speaking clients while reducing operational costs. It enables faster, more equitable access to legal services.
Melisa Koral
Root/Ritual is a science-backed hair and scalp care brand for individuals experiencing hair loss. Its products use clinically supported ingredients to promote regrowth and scalp health. The brand emphasizes gentle formulations, transparency, and long-term wellness.
Nebiy Petros
Sundazed is a premium line of organic, functional take-and-bake treats made with real bakery methods. Products combine indulgent flavor with added health benefits like gut-supporting ingredients. The brand aims to bring elevated, better-for-you baked goods to retail and café spaces.
Parul Gupta
Verto is a language-learning tool designed for students and professionals navigating real-world environments. It integrates learning directly into the content users already consume, like articles and websites. This helps users build practical vocabulary
Praveena Arni
LocalLink is a corporate gifting platform that helps companies create personalized employee recognition boxes while supporting local small businesses. Using AI-driven curation, each box is tailored to employee interests with locally sourced products. The platform turns appreciation into impact by strengthening community ties and local economies.
Tanner Kopel
Lume is a dating app that turns online dating into a game-based experience. Users play quick mini-games to unlock profiles, creating more engaging interactions. The platform encourages real connections by making discovery fun and intentional.