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
Avery Neale
FrontRow is a note-taking app that revolutionizes accessibility for visually impaired students. We use cameras installed in the classroom to transport what is written on the board to the student’s FrontRow notes app, so that they can write right next to the professor’s notes.
Stephen Herrera
Pinpoint Irrigation is developing a smart sprinkler system with a revolutionary sprinkler head design that minimizes water waste by dramatically reducing the need for overlapping spray patterns.
Thomas Paveglio
Eden Terraforming Technologies is building engineered soil bacteria which increases heat resistance for climate-vulnerable agriculture. Our solution leverages soil bacteria to deliver targeted heat shock proteins, offering a scalable, eco-friendly approach that protects crops, reduces damage, and ensures resilience against rising temperatures.
Hieu Tran
The right to see is behind a paywall, with one phoropter diagnostic device costing an average of $3500. Here at AllEyes, we have created a low-fidelity MVP that costs a fraction with simulated accuracy and range for 1/10th of the weight. We’re poised to disrupt the phoropter industry, so join us on our mission to tear down paywalls for millions.
Thomas Paveglio
Eden Terraforming Technologies is building engineered soil bacteria which increases heat resistance for climate-vulnerable agriculture. Our solution leverages soil bacteria to deliver targeted heat shock proteins, offering a scalable, eco-friendly approach that protects crops, reduces damage, and ensures resilience against rising temperatures.
Hieu Tran
The right to see is behind a paywall, with one phoropter diagnostic device costing an average of $3500. Here at AllEyes, we have created a low-fidelity MVP that costs a fraction with simulated accuracy and range for 1/10th of the weight. We’re poised to disrupt the phoropter industry, so join us on our mission to tear down paywalls for millions
Ivy Fan
Spice-A-Bowl is a portable, all-in-one spice solution designed to make cooking flavorful and healthy meals accessible for everyone. By offering compact, pre-portioned spice cards curated from global cuisines, Spice-A-Bowl enables users to create healthy and diverse meals at home without the waste and hassle of traditional spice jars.
Vishal Porwal
Streamlining construction with AI-powered answers. Blue Variables leverages proprietary generative language models to provide instant, expert-level insights to architects, engineers, and construction professionals, drastically reducing research time and improving project efficiency.
Meg Steinhart
Snaps are detachable, unisex shoelace accessories used to customize any pair of sneakers. Our company seeks to add a touch of personality to everyday footwear, transforming sneakers from mundane necessities into personal fashion statements with our initial designs.
Anna Buendia
Sensate is addressing the challenge of restlessness and lack of focus in professional settings, where traditional fidget toys are distracting and appear unprofessional. Sensate creates sleek, discreet, and attachable sensory tools that transform fidgeting into a productivity enhancer.
Meg Steinhart
Snaps are detachable, unisex shoelace accessories used to customize any pair of sneakers. Our company seeks to add a touch of personality to everyday footwear, transforming sneakers from mundane necessities into personal fashion statements with our initial designs.
Anna Buendia
Sensate is addressing the challenge of restlessness and lack of focus in professional settings, where traditional fidget toys are distracting and appear unprofessional. Sensate creates sleek, discreet, and attachable sensory tools that transform fidgeting into a productivity enhancer.
Arturo Garcia
Have you ever wanted to train with skilled athletes or experienced trainers but didn’t have the right network? Upscale makes that possible by connecting users to local trainers across various sports and activities. We provide access to private, personalized lessons from expert coaches, helping individuals improve their skills and reach their full potential.
Shreyan Katta
InternNest is a platform dedicated to simplifying the internship experience by addressing three major challenges interns face: finding housing, securing compatible roommates, and discovering activities in their new city. Our innovative roommate matcher uses a detailed questionnaire to pair interns with roommates who best fit their personality and lifestyle.
Katia Lui
V&V is a restaurant concept that focuses on providing delicious and accessible vegan and vegetarian meals, catering to communities with limited plant-based dining options. Inspired by personal experiences, it emphasizes sustainability, health, and ethical eating practices while addressing the challenges of creating a beneficial diet in underserved areas.
Vance Mark
Introducing ZB Cream, our all-natural Hair and Body Moisturizer—a luxurious blend of organic ingredients crafted to nourish and revitalize hair and skin without harsh chemicals. Designed to provide lasting hydration, eliminate frizz, add texture, and promote healthy, luscious hair while doubling as a body cream for silky, smooth skin.
Katia Lui
V&V is a restaurant concept that focuses on providing delicious and accessible vegan and vegetarian meals, catering to communities with limited plant-based dining options. Inspired by personal experiences, it emphasizes sustainability, health, and ethical eating practices while addressing the challenges of creating a beneficial diet in underserved areas.
Vance Mark
Introducing ZB Cream, our all-natural Hair and Body Moisturizer—a luxurious blend of organic ingredients crafted to nourish and revitalize hair and skin without harsh chemicals. Designed to provide lasting hydration, eliminate frizz, add texture, and promote healthy, luscious hair while doubling as a body cream for silky, smooth skin.
Haroon Memon
Synk is a metaverse startup redefining virtual communications with an immersive platform designed for professional and social interactions. Unlike traditional video calls, Synk offers a dynamic 3D plane, customizable avatars, and proximity-based chat to enable natural, free-flowing conversations and serendipitous connections
Kyle Nguyen
ParkNow is a platform that connects drivers in need of convenient parking with businesses offering underutilized parking spaces, such as spots behind their premises. Our solution helps businesses monetize unused parking areas while providing drivers with affordable and accessible parking in high-demand locations.
Hayden Stegall
Meal Panda is a meal prep AI planning service. Recipes are generated using user input and preferences. Ingredients to make the meal are delivered using Instacart. Think Hello Fresh but customizable and cheaper.
Clint Yongoueth
YongBros is a Roblox game development studio turned accelerator, empowering indie and Roblox developers to break through platform saturation by providing funding, mentorship, and access to top-tier talent. We are passionate about helping developers build IP-driven games that captivate players and drive meaningful engagement across all audiences.
Hayden Stegall
Meal Panda is a meal prep AI planning service. Recipes are generated using user input and preferences. Ingredients to make the meal are delivered using Instacart. Think Hello Fresh but customizable and cheaper.
Clint Yongoueth
YongBros is a Roblox game development studio turned accelerator, empowering indie and Roblox developers to break through platform saturation by providing funding, mentorship, and access to top-tier talent. We are passionate about helping developers build IP-driven games that captivate players and drive meaningful engagement across all audiences.
Meet the Founders
Aakriti Kamal
Cura is an AI-powered solution designed to alleviate the immense challenges faced by family caregivers of mentally ill patients. Cura empowers caregivers to navigate the complexities of care management, ensuring both patients and their families receive the support they deserve.
Ruthvik Jonna
Welcome to Bloom — an online platform for all businesses to upload relevant data/documents, track sustainability metrics, and utilize our trained artificial intelligence model, which provides context specific reports about the company’s climate performance and potential ESG recommendations.
Phillip Baek
BoBo revolutionizes roommate living, turning chore management into a fun, competitive game with a community spirit. Leveraging machine learning, it understands users habits, offering personalized suggestions and rewards, offers a lucrative advertising avenue to businesses targeting the vibrant college demographic.
Brandon Doan
The time it takes to prepare an EEG (electroencephalogram) takes longer than the actual EEG itself. Brandon’s startup is reimagining the prep-tech used for an EEG, meaning hospitals can see more patients, reduce training costs for new EEG technicians, and ultimately make more money.
Phillip Baek
BoBo revolutionizes roommate living, turning chore management into a fun, competitive game with a community spirit. Leveraging machine learning, it understands users habits, offering personalized suggestions and rewards, offers a lucrative advertising avenue to businesses targeting the vibrant college demographic.
Brandon Doan
The time it takes to prepare an EEG (electroencephalogram) takes longer than the actual EEG itself. Brandon’s startup is reimagining the prep-tech used for an EEG, meaning hospitals can see more patients, reduce training costs for new EEG technicians, and ultimately make more money.
Robert Allen
Robert’s startup revitalizes communities by acquiring and repairing distressed homes, then relaxing leasing qualifications for tenants who would otherwise struggle to qualify for a lease due to financial hardship or lack of documentation.
Patty Chow Lomeli
Quicklook revolutionizes code reviews with unparalleled speed and developer-centric design. Using Quicklook, software engineers can easily prioritize, visualize, and compare edits, enabling more informed decisions and clarity in the review process.
Justo Fernando Echazarreta
Transforming your kitchen should be a dream, not a nightmare. Arnovate makes kitchen renovations easy and affordable by simplifying the design interface and standardizing the construction process.
Arianna Fuentes
Roamora is dedicated to simplifying the search process of exploring a new city abroad. We aim to sift through the noise by offering travelers unique spots and hidden gems through a personalized and consolidated search experience.
Justo Fernando Echazarreta
Transforming your kitchen should be a dream, not a nightmare. Arnovate makes kitchen renovations easy and affordable by simplifying the design interface and standardizing the construction process.
Arianna Fuentes
Roamora is dedicated to simplifying the search process of exploring a new city abroad. We aim to sift through the noise by offering travelers unique spots and hidden gems through a personalized and consolidated search experience.
Monica Garza
Freedom Mind is dedicated to transforming mental health care through an innovative and effective 2-part system with multifaceted features and affordability. With a focus on people in poverty in 3rd world countries, it addresses the lack of mental health resources.
Lindsey Gasaway
Healr is the future of mental health care. Unlike the current offerings, Healr’s AIpowered algorithm empowers patients to find the perfect providers for their situation with personalized matches, transparency and insurance compatibility.
Melody Geiger
Merge Conflict Studio is a minority-led video game development company that focuses on centering marginalized perspectives and environmental awareness. We know games can go beyond pure entertainment and help spread motivation to fight for a more environmentally conscious society.
Mahta Ghotbiravandi
Kismeet is a social networking app designed to help you meet people wherever you go. Simply click the check-in option , and you will be shown others who have checked-in to the same spots as you!
Melody Geiger
Merge Conflict Studio is a minority-led video game development company that focuses on centering marginalized perspectives and environmental awareness. We know games can go beyond pure entertainment and help spread motivation to fight for a more environmentally conscious society.
Mahta Ghotbiravandi
Kismeet is a social networking app designed to help you meet people wherever you go. Simply click the check-in option , and you will be shown others who have checked-in to the same spots as you!
Daniel (Sehyun) Kim
Active Prophylaxis helps patients at risk for pressure ulcers with real-time pressure mitigation via a dynamically adjustable mattress system.
Helen Liu
PawPrint allows organizers to connect with volunteers and track volunteers’ requirements, while allowing volunteers to record all their hours in one place, where they can be validated and sent to other places as needed. By connecting users to organizers, a network of passionate volunteers will be free to focus on what really matters.
Ali Merchant
S&B Commerce partners with early stage CPG companies and creates and manages their Amazon storefronts, product listings, and marketing campaigns to help them scale faster.
Ramya Nambala
Athena is using AI to enhance student learning, using new developments in LLM to personalize student learning.
Ali Merchant
S&B Commerce partners with early stage CPG companies and creates and manages their Amazon storefronts, product listings, and marketing campaigns to help them scale faster.
Ramya Nambala
Athena is using AI to enhance student learning, using new developments in LLM to personalize student learning.
Rohan Patel
Thrive Education is a forward-thinking diabetes education startup, aimed at improving health and reducing healthcare costs through a patient-centric platform. We empower diabetic patients through education while also allowing for their physician to monitor their progress and take any necessary steps.
Nicole Sakaue
The startup U aims to connect study abroad and international student with other students in a similar concept as a “dating app”. The subscription to the app would be in a freemium model, and the app would provide also support for language learning connection.
Adrian Storey
Sudden cardiac arrest has been a significant issue for athletes recently. Heart testing for athletes is vital to ensure the safety of each individual. We aim to design a device which will provide vital results for each athletes to promote healthy lifestyles, athletic ability, and test heart life.
Adrian Storey
Sudden cardiac arrest has been a significant issue for athletes recently. Heart testing for athletes is vital to ensure the safety of each individual. We aim to design a device which will provide vital results for each athletes to promote healthy lifestyles, athletic ability, and test heart life.