Caroline’s Cheese Straws, a craft cheese straw company based on a family recipe, won $2,500 at the first fall UGA Entrepreneurship Idea Accelerator, held Oct. 7 at the Mahoney Entrepreneurship Hub.  

Marketing and entrepreneurship student Caroline Kersey launched the brand in 2024 to buy her first car. Today, she provides straws to catering companies. They are also available at gift and specialty shops across Georgia. 

The judges were impressed by her strategic growth and marketing acumen. 

In addition to Kersey’s company, the judges awarded second place to Ashreeti Beauty, a startup created by Ashreeti Sharma (BBA ’23), which provides hair consultations to people before they color their hair at a salon. LOCUS, a medical school application coaching service created by economic and regenerative bioscience student Aniket Talanki, took home third place. 

Judges also heard from: 

•  GoalShare, a social media app where users help keep each other accountable while working toward a goal, created by family and consumer sciences major Foster Watt. 
•  Last Load Junk Removal, a junk removal service founded by accounting and finance student Andrew Gorgissian. 
• Startblock, a platform that uses AI to help accelerate employee onboarding, created by intended finance and MIS student Oliver Huebner. 
•  My Music Map, a combined calendar and map showing which bands are playing where on a given night, created by sound engineer and Terry marketing graduate Jeffrey Vernon (BBA ’20). 

The UGA Entrepreneurship Program’s Idea Accelerator — a four-week “business boot camp” — serves as the first step for many student entrepreneurs. Students who want to explore an idea or who are ready to launch work with experienced entrepreneurs, advisors, and investors. 

The program hosts two cohorts every fall and spring semester. 

The UGA Entrepreneurship Program mission is to infuse and refine an entrepreneurial mindset in our students through transformational experiences and comprehensive academic courses. UGA Entrepreneurship Program accelerators are open to UGA students and members of the Athens community.