Discovery, Pivot, Impact: Highlights from the Bergh Summer Accelerator

Amazolar, led by Daniel Andrade ’26, Carson Belaire ’27, and Pannaga Kosaraju ’28, participated in the Bergh Summer Accelerator and capped off this intensive startup experience with a trip to Ecuador. There, they conducted expansive customer discovery and stakeholder interviews, which ultimately guided them to change their focus. Now, Amazolar’s mission is centered on helping high school students attain positive post-secondary outcomes, such as navigating the college application process and being prepared for higher ed life.

Reni Mokrii ’26 and Bay Malone ’27 also participated in the BSA. They initially intended to create an investment hub for education, but through interviews, industry research, and customer discovery, pivoted significantly and created Sharkonia. This new initiative is a networking program between university-based innovation hubs and high school students, providing high schoolers with mentorship and resources. A burgeoning pilot program is underway with students in the Wilson School District.