Show-Me State Times

Saint Louis University has announced the second cohort for its New Venture Accelerator (NVA), which offers equity-free investments up to $50,000 for current students and alumni who graduated within the last five years. The program is funded by donors and provides financial support, resources, and mentoring from SLU experts.

Lewis Sheats, executive director of the Chaifetz Center for Entrepreneurship, expressed satisfaction with the diversity of disciplines and industries represented in this year's NVA. "We are pleased with the mix of disciplines and industries represented in the NVA," Sheats said. "This unique cohort holds great promise in developing scalable and impactful companies."

The selected teams will engage in a 14-week summer accelerator program focused on customer discovery, validation, business development, revenue modeling, among other areas. This program culminates in a Demo Day in August where participants present their work to investors, strategic partners, and ecosystem leaders.

The 2025 cohort features four teams: AlgaEarth, Med Reveal Phoenix Biomedical, and SprayX.

AlgaEarth aims to reduce waste through biodegradable packaging made from algae and bio-based materials. It was founded by Abigail Avila (SSE ’22), who holds a doctorate in biomedical engineering from SLU.

MedReveal is a healthcare analytics company that helps medical practices leverage price transparency data using AI-powered tools. It was founded by five members of SLU’s Class of 2025: Harshu Pande, Claire Elah Doua, Tarun Janapati, Seyun Jeong, and Satya Siva Sai Kiran Gutti.

Phoenix Biomedical offers prosthetics with plug-and-play parts for self-repair by patients. Founded by Lili Hostetler (SSE ’21), it combines 3D printing with traditional manufacturing techniques to lower maintenance costs.

SprayX uses drone technology for precision crop protection services aimed at boosting yields while minimizing environmental impact. Chris Kalmer founded SprayX as a senior finance major at the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business.

The inaugural NVA participants included EMBr, GenAssist, Moii Coffee, and Posie Pots—each having expanded their businesses during their time in the accelerator.

EMBr is a wearable device detecting opioid overdose symptoms; GenAssist develops regenerative biomaterials; Moii Coffee connects coffee farmers with North American roasters; Posie Pots creates sustainable planters using minimal water resources.

Founded in 1910 as one of the oldest business schools west of the Mississippi River—the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business at Saint Louis University has been recognized nationally for its innovative programs across undergraduate and graduate levels according to U.S News & World Report.