Thaleon Tremain
CEO
MBA 2000, McCombs School of Business

Pachamama Coffee is a roaster of specialty coffee wholly owned by thousands of farmers in Latin America and Africa. The global cooperative business was founded in 2006 by five pioneering producer groups from Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Mexico, and Ethiopia, who pooled their resources to create their own business in California. Pachamama maintains a national whoesale program, five retail cafés and a DTC business that uniquely connects coffee consumers and farmers.
 

Brandon Bichler
Partner
BA 1996, College of Liberal Arts, Life Member 

Eric Rich
Partner
BBA 1992, McCombs School of Business

Elixirr is an award-winning global consulting firm working with clients across a diverse range of industries, markets, and geographies. Working openly and collaboratively with clients from start to finish, they deliver outcomes based on innovative thinking, not methodology, and treating each client's business like their own.
2024 Returning Winner

John Cerda
CEO
MSTC 2003, McCombs School of Business, Life Member

Maestro Integrations is a design-build firm focusing on emerging integrative technologies for multi-family and commercial projects. They offer leadership and expertise in infrastructure (copper/fiber), distributed antenna systems, access and gate controls, surveillance, security, audio/video, intrusion alarm systems, fire alarm systems, and IoT smart living systems.

2023 & 2024 Returning Winner

Abigail Daigle
Owner & CEO
BJ 2006, Moody College of Communication

Stems is a floral shop in Austin specializing in floral design and event styling. They do weddings and events from a la carte to large-scale, with full- service design. They also offer flowers and gifts for pick up or delivery. 
2023 & 2024 Returning Winner

James Gill
Owner & President
BA 2000, College of Liberal Arts, Life Member

Austin Rent Fence is a locally owned and operated company specializing in temporary fencing and sanitation services for construction sites, events, and more. With a focus on reliable service and strong local relationships, ARF provides high-quality, customizable fencing and sanitation solutions tailored to meet the needs of Austin's dynamic market. The ARF team combines industry expertise with a commitment to customer satisfaction, ensuring safety and security on every project.

Charles McFarland
Managing Member
BA 1991, College of Liberal Arts;
JD 1995, School of Law, Life Member

McFarland is a firm of trial lawyers focusing on eminent domain, condemnation, and valuation litigation. They represent property owners in maximizing compensation when governmental or public-use entities attempt to take private property for public use. 
2024 Returning Winner

Elaine Garza
CEO
BA 1994, Moody College of Communication, Life Member

Giant Noise is a Texas-based public relations, creative, and digital media agency, founded in Austin in 2006. They blend Southern roots with national reach, helping their clients connect with audiences and deepen engagement. Their work fosters culture and connection, delivering impactful results that build brands and drive success while staying true to their values and commitment to community.
2023 & 2024 Returning Winner

Emerson Smith
CEO
BA 2002, College of Liberal Arts

Pushnami has southern roots with national reach, and they help clients connect with audiences and deepen engagement. Their work fosters culture and connection, delivering impactful results that build brands and drive success while staying true to their values and commitment to community. 
2023 & 2024 Returning Winner

Bjorn Billhardt
Founder & CEO
BA 1997, College of Liberal Arts;
BBA 1997, McCombs School of Business

Abilitie has reimagined business education by creating hands-on leadership development programs, including the 12-Week MBA for rising leaders and executives around the world. With 500+ global clients, including CBRE, Coca-Cola, Marriott, and Southwest Airlines, Abilitie is a rapidly growing leader in the leadership development and edtech markets.
2024 Returning Winner

Amber Shemesh
Founder
BA, BS 2006, Moody College of Communication

Shemesh Family Law provides compassionate legal support for family matters throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. With personal experience in divorce and expertise in Texas property law, they are dedicated to assisting clients with prenuptial agreements, adoptions, divorces, and more. As experienced litigators and Certified Family Mediators, they offer honest counsel and strive for optimal outcomes.