“T Squared Putters” wins spring semester’s Vol Court pitch competition
A customized golf putter, a seven-piece brass band and a drone cleaning service were the winners at the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation’s (ACEI’s) spring 2024 Vol Court.
On Tuesday, students interested in entrepreneurship at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) had the opportunity to participate in a 90-second business idea pitch competition through the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ACEI). Each semester, the ACEI team hosts Vol Court, which is a four-week speaker series that ends with a business pitch to a panel of judges and one student securing $1,500.
This year, Tony Tuber, the founder of T Squared Putters was awarded first place at Vol Court. Tuber is a senior marketing major and leadership studies minor from Buffalo, New York. His company idea is to craft premium putters with unparalleled precision and customization options that empower golfers to elevate their game.
“Winning Vol Court feels great,” says Tuber. “I cannot be more thankful to the university and the Anderson Center for giving us these opportunities to pitch our ideas and see them become a reality.”
Second place was awarded to The Bobby Band, formed by Robert Troutman, a senior music business major and premedical track student from Lenoir City, Tennessee. The Bobby Band is a seven-piece brass band based in Knoxville that aims to bring brass back into modern music. After gaining popularity playing in many local venues, The Bobby Band is looking to grow and secure bigger venues.
“This Vol Court win means the world to me and The Bobby Band,” Troutman says. “This win provides us funding to record and take our music to the next level.”
Sky Clean, an innovative drone soft washing service that specializes in cleaning commercial surfaces like buildings, roofs, and solar panels, was awarded third place. The venture’s founder is Camden Shuman, a junior mechanical engineering major from Asheville, North Carolina.
“What makes Vol Court incredible is that it celebrates the sharing of ideas and the entrepreneurial spirit,” says Shuman. “It is such a pleasure to be involved in this community here at the University of Tennessee!”
Breanna Hale the Executive Director of the ACEI said it was a great Vol Court complete with solid speakers and pitches. It was also her first Vol Court as the Executive Director of the Anderson Center.
“The concepts and companies presented at Vol Court were incredibly diverse and creative. From fintech and mechanical engineering to art, music, and food, we heard pitches representing a wide array of ideas, showcasing the breadth of passion and skills of the students at [UT]. I was incredibly impressed and proud of our students and can’t wait to see these ventures continue to develop with the support of the Anderson Center and our dedicated community.”
The speakers for this semester’s series included J. Reginger, Angelique Adams, and Cortney Piper.
Read the press release from ACEI here.
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