Since 2010, McPherson College has been encouraging the entrepreneurial ideas of its students by awarding mini-grants that help students develop innovative solutions to common problems. With nearly 300 grants awarded, the college recently announced the latest recipients of the Horizon Fund Grants.
This fall, the Horizon Fund is providing grants to eight students with ideas ranging from podcast development to custom-made briefcases and luggage. The individual grants range from $100 to $500, and students have the option to reapply for continued funding of existing Horizon Fund grant projects.
Abbey Archer-Rierson, chief of staff and head of the entrepreneurship program at McPherson College, said, “The Horizon Fund grant is just one of many ways McPherson College demonstrates its commitment to entrepreneurship and supporting entrepreneurial students on our campus. The grants have supported a variety of wildly creative ideas and this most recent round of funding is no exception.”
Recipients of the fall 2019 Horizon Fund grants are:
- Mason Duffey, junior, technology: automotive communication, Bellbrook, Ohio – photography – “Eventually, I would like to make a book highlighting the different subcultures of the automotive scene.”
- Jeremiah Greene, senior, technology: restoration technology, Farragut, Iowa – custom leather goods – “People love having custom things made just for them that are one of a kind.”
- Parker Hull, sophomore, communications, Wylie, Texas – clothing brand that donates 10 percent to charity – “We truly believe that this brand is the beginning of a vast, inspiring, and motivational movement that will encourage people to make a positive difference in our world.”
- Peyton Lindsey, freshman, sociology: criminal justice, and psychology: health and human services, Prairie Village, Kansas – Podcast focusing on mental health – “We want to voice what we know as college students through our experiences in life so far.”
- Wyatt Miceli, sophomore, technology: restoration technology, Woodacre, California– hand-crafted briefcases and luggage – “We hope to create a niche market for those who desire handmade goods for a competitive price.”
- Francisco Montoya, sophomore, technology: restoration technology, Wasco, California – after-market bash bar for cars – “What makes my bash bars unique is they provide safety for all types of cars, not only drifters, track or rally racers.”
- Anthony Powell, sophomore, digital media: visual design, Leavenworth, Kansas – photography – “My focus is to help capture moments for people and have them showcase events or brands to help promote themselves and their company.”
- Sean Robinson, sophomore, technology: restoration technology, La Grange, Illinois – photography – “My videography business focuses on the automotive restoration program and features restoration updates, shop videos, and interviews that are used to inform future students or donors.”