Wells Fargo named Axon Tutors, a small business from Athens, one of 25 finalists in the Wells Fargo Works Project contest.

This business was one of more than 4,200 small businesses that entered the national contest, in which five grand prize winners were selected to receive $25,000 along with mentorship from a small business expert and tailored solutions for their business.

Axon Tutors was founded after owner Katie Manrodt worked as an independent tutor at the University of Georgia. In August 2014, she and a group of fellow tutors started their own tutoring and technology company, Axon Tutors. Its mission is to provide an online home for campus tutors where students can search for tutor availability, schedule meetings and pay for sessions in advance.

Manrodt said she entered the Wells Fargo Works Project contest to receive support as she expands her business to 10 more universities. As a contest finalist, Axon Tutors will receive $1,000 from Wells Fargo.

“We are deeply honored to have been chosen as a finalist in the Wells Fargo Works Small Business competition. It is encouraging to be supported by such an incredible financial institution,” said Katie Funk, co-founder and chief operating officer of Axon Tutors Inc. “We have had a tremendous start to the fall 2015 semester and have already helped thousands of struggling college students in Georgia. We are looking forward to expanding our reach to 10 more schools this year.”