SAN LUIS OBISPO — The Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) has accepted seven startup teams into its Summer Accelerator, an intensive 12-week program that provides Cal Poly students and recent graduates with the resources necessary to turn their innovative ideas into full-fledged startups.

Participants receive $10,000 in seed funding, as well as access to expert mentorship, entrepreneurial workshops and a dedicated workspace in the HotHouse, the CIE’s office located in downtown San Luis Obispo.

“What makes this cohort unique is the diversity of its participants,” said Dr. Thomas Katona, CIE academic director. “We have students from multiple Cal Poly colleges, graduate programs, early undergrads and even students joining us from other universities. It’s a clear reflection of the continued growth and strength of the Summer Accelerator program.”

Six out of the seven teams in this cohort participated in Innovation Quest (iQ), a high-stakes competition where Cal Poly students pitch their innovative business ideas to a panel of judges in the hopes of winning funding for their startups.

The 2025 Summer Accelerator teams represent a variety of different ideas, from drug-detection technology with Aurela to combating insulin- testing issues with Preserva Biosciences.

“The entrepreneurship programs at Cal Poly was one of the main reasons I chose to come here,” said business administration freshman Lindsey Williams of Denver, Colorado. “I think the Summer Accelerator is such a great opportunity and I’m very excited.” 

This year’s cohort includes:

Aurela is developing aesthetic jewelry that is embedded with drug detection technology to empower women to feel safe and confident while enjoying social experiences. Aurela was created by: business administration students Addie Bounds of Jupiter, Florida; Lindsey Williams of Denver, Colorado; and Kiara Robichaud, a biomedical engineering student from Redding, Connecticut. Aurela was an iQ 2025 finalist. 

Devscribe is simplifying application programming interface, or API, documentation by allowing companies to generate, edit, test and host beautiful API docs in one place with themes that match their company’s branding. API software allows two applications to talk to each other. Devscribe was created by: computer science senior Samuel Solano of Huntington Beach, California; and Gianni Hart, a business administration senior from Nipomo, California. DevScribe was an iQ 2025 finalist. 

Ecoplasticity is redefining and replacing plastic with their biodegradable coating derived from an invasive species of seaweed that is completely compostable and anaerobically digestible. Ecoplasticity was created by Mayela Fernandez Cantu, a graduate business administration student from Monterrey, Mexico, and material engineering senior Michelle Cullen of Redondo Beach, California. Ecoplasticity was an iQ 2025 finalist. 

Nervana is developing wearable transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) device that incorporates biosensors to provide optimal stimulation dosing to relieve stress and treat stress-related conditions. The startup was created by master’s of biomedical engineering students Rex Walker of Bethesda, Maryland, and Jeremy Laufer of Palo Alto, California. 

Preserva Biosciences is revolutionizing diabetes management, safety and savings for millions by developing the first-ever at-home insulin testing device for people dependent on insulin. The startup was developed by: business administration senior Oliver Haas of Seattle, Washington; computer engineering student Isaac Lake of Thousand Oaks, California; UC San Diego biotechnology student Micaela Moreira; and Ethan Vosburg (Computer Engineering, ’23) of Rocklin, California. Preserva Biosciences was an iQ 2025 finalist and received the Biotech Innovation Award sponsored by Leslie and Brett Eldridge of $5,000. 

Simpill is helping people maintain independence and peace of mind through flawless management of their medication. The startup was created by: manufacturing engineering student Ben Lipper of San Luis Obispo, California; computer engineering senior Victoria Asencio-Clemens of Santa Cruz, California; and business administration senior Eli Lazar of Issaquah, Washington. Simpill was an iQ 2025 finalist. 

Vandra is creating a probiotic-rich frozen dessert made with dairy-based kefir, designed to replace the need for supplements by providing a flavorful way to boost gut health and immunity, while making healthy living more enjoyable and accessible. The startup was created by agricultural business student Alex Malone of Los Gatos, California, and business administration student Wian Roothman of Johannesburg, South Africa. Vandra was an iQ 2025 finalist and received the third place Bakir Begovic Innovation Award of $5,000. 

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About the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE):

The CIE opens a world of entrepreneurial opportunities to Cal Poly students, faculty and community members and promotes entrepreneurial activity and dialogue across the university and throughout San Luis Obispo. For more information, visit https://cie.calpoly.edu.