More young adults are starting their own businesses than ever. Recent data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2024-25 Report shows that about 26% of young adults ages 18-34 are now actively engaged in starting or running new businesses, compared to about 16% of adults ages 35-64. The number of young entrepreneurs has been steadily increasing in recent years.

UW-Whitewater’s Launch Pad Startup Business Accelerator program offers a place for students to transform their ideas into startups or develop their existing business while still completing their degrees. From tech solutions to innovative alarm clocks, these young entrepreneurs are creating their own opportunities.

The Launch Pad Startup Business Accelerator program, led by David Gee and William Dougan, offers networking, coaching and other resources to give the students access to industry connections and knowledge to expand their company, build business models, obtain funding and more.

Sophomore chemistry major Stefan Gamino is developing a product, the KickStick, that allows users to wake up to a selection of their three favorite scents.

“I’ve researched and identified 30 of the world’s most beloved scents, such as coffee, bacon, vanilla, cookies and rain,” Gamino said.

Users can then cycle through the scents and wake up to a different one each morning.

KickStick also uses a trade-secret ingredient that jump-starts the user’s brain, delivering effects similar to caffeine and sugar, without the negative long-term side effects.

Gamino is using Launch Pad to develop a prototype and gather funding. Gamino has already begun the process through a competition for entrepreneurs. You can vote for Gamino here.

After starting Keffiyeh Studio to raise money for Palestine relief, sophomore information technology major Zoheb Rakhangi joined Launch Pad to further their existing company and develop a new app for Muslim prayer.

“I’m selling these scarves, which is a symbol of resistance,” Rakhangi said. “All the profits I make are given back to Palestine.”

Now, Rakhangi is working on a prayer app similar to the popular social media app BeReal, where users take a photo using both front and back cameras.

“Instead of a photo at a random time, it will go off at the times of our five daily prayers,” Rakhangi said.

Rakhangi is currently working on developing a business model with mentors and utilizing the networking connections Launch Pad provides.

“It’s such a good resource for me because they know so many people that I would not have gotten in contact with alone.”

Visit Rakhangi’s website for more information.

Business administration graduate student Jacob Zuehlke’s background in IT led them to start a Google Ads company, JM Technology.

“I picked up just kind of an ad hoc client that needed Google ads stuff done, then I ended up saying this would be kinda cool if it was an actual business,” Zuehlke said. “That ended up leading to a few clients and then to Launch Pad to help me get further on my feet with this business I created.”

Zuehlke is using Launch Pad to find capital and get feedback from mentors and peers.

“I’m interested in my peers’ opinions on either my business or business in general, and having that diverse conversation with the mentors about their thoughts on how I was running my business and how I could benefit from their resources,” Zuehlke said.

Andy Olson, a finance graduate student, is working with Launch Pad to develop an ​​enterprise resource planning software for public safety entities and nonprofits. Olson used his background in IT to develop a few different start ups before the opportunity to create an ERP was presented.

Olson, who has been a volunteer firefighter/EMT for the last seven years, decided to find a better solution to the fire department’s complex software systems.

“We’ve switched between three different scheduling systems, which seems like a very easy thing that should be easily handled, but it apparently is very difficult in that industry to find something that’s flexible enough to fit the needs and within the budget,” Olson said.

“One of the administrative people asked me what it would take to build something that would work well for their needs and that was the birth of it.”

Olson will use Launch Pad to gain connections, including a potential partner.

“Even in the interview process Dave Gee had connected me to a partner that he thought would be an interesting fit for my startup.”

Sadiq Wanyaka, senior computer science major, began developing an HR tool to streamline the hiring process after joining business clubs Enactus and CEO.

“A friend of mine, who I met through Enactus, had this idea, and that’s how everything kinda started,” Wanyaka said.

Wanyaka then applied for Launch Pad to gauge interest, and gain connections and funding to build out the tool.

The tool helps recruiters to quickly score resumes based on a predefined rubric.

“The goal is that the recruiter has this link that can be distributed onto platforms like LinkedIn or Indeed. Then when applicants submit their resume they quickly know what percentage they have of getting into that job.”

Wanyaka is working on attending e-Fest through Launch Pad, an undergraduate entrepreneurship competition, to refine their presentation, business plan and pitch deck.

The UW-W website has more information on the Launch Pad Startup Business Accelerator program.