Behind the Lunch Pail 100
Since 2022, Lunch Pail Ventures has celebrated the innovative spirit of Hokie Nation by recognizing 100 alumni-led companies across all industries and sizes.
Each of these companies exemplify the Lunch Pail mentality created by Bud Foster, and empower a future of Hokies in business.
The Full 2024 List
| COMPANY | HOKIE LEADER(S) | LOCATION | ABOUT |
|---|---|---|---|
| accelHRate | Kim Shanahan & Kelly McPherson | Leesburg, VA | Retained executive search firm |
| AchieveUnite Inc. | Theresa Caragol | Alexandria, VA | Go to market consulting focused on organizational alignment and growth |
| Active Capital | Pat Matthews | San Antonio, TX | Seed stage venture capital firm |
| AKKO | Eric Schneider | New York, NY | Modern solutions to device insurance |
| Alexandria Restaurant Partners | Win Sheridan | Alexandria, VA | Restaurant management and operations |
| Allan Myers | Ross Myers & Aaron Myers | Worchester, PA | Heavy civil construction and materials provider |
| Alpine-X | John Emery | McLean, VA | Indoor ski resorts and entertainment sports venues across the US |
| Amplify Federal | Andrew Plofchan | Potomac Falls, VA | Leverages advanced software vendor features to meet mission demand |
| Aravenda | Don Neff | Vienna, VA | Consignment software platform and solutions |
| Artimus Robotics | Eric Acome | Boulder, CO | Advanced robotics solutions providing life-like motions |
| Asana Partners | Jason Tompkins | Charlotte, NC | Private equity fund manager creating value in mixed-use neighborhoods |
| BC Architects Engineers, PLC | Christopher Morin | Falls Church, VA | Engineering services to telecommunication clients |
| Benny Marzanos | Chris Brown & Zach Toth | Blacksburg, VA | Pizza eateries and home of the Virginia Pizza slize |
| Big Blue Swim School | Scott Sanders | Chicago, IL | Swim lessons and aquatic programs |
| Blackbuck Resources | Justin Love | Houston, TX | Designs, builds, and operates water Infrastructure for the oil and gas industry |
| BOOST | Stephanie Alexander | Herndon, VA | Backoffice solutions for government contractors |
| Bravely | Sarah Sheehan | New York, NY | Coaching to improve employee engagement, productivity, and retention |
| BreakingT | Alex Welsh | Arlington, VA | Real-time fan apparel and other licensed products |
| Buchanan & Edwards | Brian Karlisch | McLean, VA | Govcon and IT consulting |
| BuildBuddy | Siggi Simonarson | Palo Alto, CA | Enterprise features for Bazel, the open-source build system enabling software builds and tests 10x faster |
| Bullpen | Tyler Kastelberg | San Francisco, CA | Real estate staffing company |
| Carbon | Joseph DeSimone | Redwood City, CA | 3D printing technology company helping businesses develop better products faster |
| Cary Street Partners | Douglas Stewart | Fredericksburg, VA | Wealth management and financial advisory |
| Centrillion Technologies | Wei Zhou | Palo Alto, CA | Research and product development focused on next generation DNA Chips and their applications |
| Centripetal Networks | Steven Rodgers | Reston, VA | Cybersecurity leader and three-time Deloitte Fast 500 and Fintech Innovations Lab winner |
| Chainbridge Solutions Inc | Aarti Khanna Smith | Fairfax, VA | Specializing in workforce security software |
| ClearForce | James Jones | Vienna, VA | People risk management company that builds safe and secure organizations |
| ClickUp | Zeb Evans & Chris Cunningham | San Diego, CA | Project management software with tasks, whiteboards, spreadsheets, and document collaboration on one platform |
| ClosedLoop | Andrew Eye | Austin, TX | Healthcare data science platform |
| Commonwealth Care | Debbie Petrine | Roanoke, VA | Mission-oriented healthcare services |
| enParadigm | Kumar Veetrag | Mumbai, India | Generative AI and immersive AI based experiential learning SaaS platform |
| Espire Services | Glenn Vogel | McLean, VA | IT and global solutions to valued partners |
| Founderpath | Nathan Latka | Austin, TX | Financial platform for SaaS companies |
| Fringe | Andrew Dunlap, Chris Luhrman, Isaiah Goodall, & Jordan Peace | Richmond, VA | Lifestyle benefits platform that is redefining employee perks and benefits |
| Gizmatic LLC | Will Vatis & Scott Freeman | Oxon Hill, MD | Manufacturer and solutions provider offering concept development, design, prototyping, packaging, and more |
| GoodCall | Bob Summers | Cupertino, CA | Leverages its AI-empowered incoming phone call management platform to provide enterprise support for businesses of all sizes |
| Goodfynd | Sofiat Adbulrazaaq, Kyle Miller & Lemaire Stewart (’09) | Washington, DC | Platform for food trucks and mobile vendors |
| Harbor Investment Advisory | Fred Hill | Lutherville, MD | Investment management and advisory solutions |
| Harmonia Holding Group | Pallabi Saboo | Blacksburg, VA | Software solutions for program and project management, requirements capture, systems engineering, and implementation services |
| Henritze Dental Group | Andy Henritze | Roanoke, VA | Dental care services |
| HITT Contracting | Kim Roy | Falls Church, VA | Commercial contracting and construction |
| Hylaine, LLC | Adam Boitnott & T.J. Eberle | Charlotte, NC | Technology consulting firm |
| Inertial Labs, Inc. | Jamie Marraccini | Paeonian Springs, VA | Position and orientation technologies for both commercial/industrial and aerospace/defense applications |
| InGo | Michael Barnett | Arlington, VA | Event management software, insights and solutions platform |
| Insync | Raj Ramaswamy | San Jose, CA | Automation solutions with conversational AI |
| KBH Solutions (dba KBH Industrial) | Tarun Ganeriwal | Smyrna, GA | Staffing solutions for project management, project controls, and project oversight for Power Generation, Heavy Industrial, and Government clients |
| KBH Thompson | Tarun Ganeriwal | Smyrna, GA | General Construction for Energy and Heavy Industrial sectors |
| Kindred Motorworks | Rob Howard | San Rafael, CA | Converting vintage vehicles to electric vehicles (EV) |
| Kinetic Ventures | Nelson Chu | Atlanta, GA | Early to growth stage private capital investor |
| KMS Technology | Josh Liberman | Atlanta, GA | Software development solutions |
| Koalafi | Boomer Muth | Glen Allen, VA | Point-of-sale financing solutions |
| Lawn Starter | Steven Corcoran | Austin, TX | Lawn care services platform |
| Legion Brewing | Phil Buchy | Charlotte, NC | Craft brewing company with multiple breweries |
| Mangata Networks | Brian Holz | Phoenix, AZ | Satellite-enabled network providing global, affordable, and secure high-speed 5G connectivity |
| Metistream | Chiny Driscoll | Vienna, VA | Interactive healthcare analytics platform |
| MixMax | Brad Vogel | San Francisco, CA | Sales engagment platform |
| Mythic | Mike Henry | Redwood City, CA | Semiconductor company providing Analog Matrix Processors based on unique analog compute-in-memory |
| Nailbiter | Amit Dhand | Reston, VA | Market research platform to analyze consumer behavior |
| NewCity | David Poteet & Rachel DeLauder | Blacksburg, VA | Interactive design agency that builds websites, apps, systems, platforms, and online experiences |
| NVE | Neil Villarin | Reston, VA | U.S. government facility optimization |
| OnsiteIQ | Ardalan Khosrowpour | New York, NY | Construction intelligence platform for real estate investors |
| Our Next Energy | Mujeeb Ijaz | Novi, MI | Energy storage for the grid and electric vehicles |
| Oxygen | Hussein Ahmed | San Francisco, CA | Digital banking services |
| Ozmo | David Catalano | Blacksburg, VA | Omnichannel tech support platform transforming customer service |
| Pathfinder Digital | Roger McGarrahan | Sanford, FL | Develops satellite ground terminals for military and government programs. |
| Pearl Certification | Cynthia Adams | Charlottesville, VA | Home certification system to improve energy efficiency and home values |
| Pingboard | Bill Boebel | Austin, TX | Employee engagement platform. |
| PlanetiQ | Chris McCormick | Golden, CO | Satellite company offering weather, space-weather forecasting, and climate monitoring |
| Plus Up, Inc. | Adam Ashley | Crownsville, MD | Educational toys that help families unlock the power of positive reinforcement |
| Procon Consulting | Kyu Jung & Mark Ilich | McLean, VA | Professional services for construction, business, technology, and real estate |
| Pulsora | Murat Sonmez | San Francisco, CA | All-in-one platform for enterprise sustainability management |
| Qolo | Darren Beyer | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Purpose-built, omnichannel, next-gen payments platform |
| Questis | John Tabb | Charleston, SC | Unbiased compassionate coaching and support to help overcome personal finance issues and build financially resilient workforces |
| Quintar | Sankar Jayaram | Santa Clara, CA | Developer of an AR technology platform intended to amplify the live game fan experience |
| R.W. Murray Co. | Steve Daves & Jonathan Barbour | Manassas, VA | Commercial general contractor |
| Relay | Ryan Droege | Atlanta, GA | Secure digital payment network connecting fleets, brokers and merchants to increase revenue for all parties |
| Rendyr | Martin Angst & Kaelum Hasler | Blacksburg, VA | Desktop robotics company creating a portable laser cutter for rapid prototyping anywhere |
| Seismic | Doug Winter (John) | Brooklyn, NY | Developer of research validation tools designed to identify the veracity of scientific work and scientists |
| Sheex | Susan Walvius | Marlton, NJ | Performance bedding and sleep products |
| Smallstep | Mike Malone | San Francisco, CA | Computer and network security solutions |
| Socially Determined | Trenor Williams & Anthony Beverina | Washington, DC | Data insights for social determinants of health |
| Sonny Merryman | Floyd Merryman | Evington, VA | Full service bus dealer |
| Sonosa Medical | Stephen Restaino | Baltimore, MD | Precision therapy management for sleep disorders |
| Sourcepoint | Benjamin Barokas | New York, NY | Privacy software company trusted by the world’s most influential brands. |
| South Block | Amir Mostafavi | Arlington, VA | Health-focused eateries |
| Stateless | Eric Keller | Boulder, CO | Enterprise software platform |
| Steampunk | Matt Warren | McLean, VA | IT consulting service for Federal government clients |
| Synaptiq | Stephen Sklarew | Portland, OR | Human-centered AI solutions and products |
| Synthonics | Tom Piccariello | Blacksburg, VA | Specialty pharmaceuticals |
| Takt, Inc. | Glynn LoPresti, Noah MacMichael, & Alex Rhea | Reston, VA | Cloud-based system for e-commerce, 3PLs, and retail |
| Toffler | Maria Bothwell | Arlington, VA | Strategic consulting for federal and commercial clients on workforce transformation, technology integration, and risk management |
| Top of the Stairs & PK's | Mike Whaley | Blacksburg, VA | Bar and restauraunt in the heart of Blacksburg |
| TRAXyL | Daniel Turner | Gainesville, VA | Solutions for installing optical fiber and other infrastructure with minimal distruption and risk |
| Tribute | Andrew Horn | New York, NY | Video platform for creating and sharing video montages |
| Triumph NIL | Kevin Jones, Kelly Woolwine, & Robyn Jones | Blacksburg, VA | NIL rights management tailored to student-athletes |
| TrustPoint, Inc. | Chris DeMay | Leesburg, VA | Developing a fully commercial Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) |
| Unacast | Jeff White, Guy DeCorte, & Jason Sarfati | Sterling, VA | Global location intelligence and insights company transforming our understanding of human activity in the physical world |
| Veho | Fred Cook | Claymont, DE | Logistics company that provides last-mile delivery and return services. |
| Venus Aerospace | Sarah Duggleby & Andrew Duggleby | Houston, TX | Advanced aerospace and hypersonic technologies |
| Versa Networks | Kumar Mehta | San Jose, CA | Software-defined networking (SDN) platform that provides an end-to-end solution that simplifies and secures the modern network |
| Visbanking | Brian Pillmore | Oklahoma City, OK | Bank intelligence solutions |
| Vistantco | Walter Barnes | Washington, DC | Integrated solutions for international development, healthcare, and federal agencies promoting health, safety, and stronger global communities |
| W.M. Jordan Company | John Lawson | Newport News, VA | General contractor and construction company |
| W2 Communications | Evan Weisel | McLean, VA | Integrated PR and marketing agency |
| Weights & Biases | Shawn Lewis | San Francisco, CA | Builds tools for AI developers |
| COMPANY | HOKIE LEADER(S) | HEADQUARTERS | ABOUT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axle Access | Sam Shapiro | New York, NY | Corporate access management software |
| Galacto | Brian Pillmore | Stillwater, OK | Making genomic science accessible with user-friendly tools and informative reporting. |
| Pam | Samee Khan, Haroun Ansari, & Omer Zulifqar | Sterling, VA | AI-driven phone interaction solutions |
| Phalanx | Austin Garrett & Ian Garrett | Arlington, VA | Providing seamless data security by implementing Zero Trust at the file level |
| Pitchlogic | Steven Cukiernik | Winston-Salem, NC | Baseball pitching technology |
| Qentoros | Jessica Gilbertie | Blacksburg, VA | Orthopedic platelets treatment for horses |
| Sedaro | Robbie Robertson, Daniel Martin & Sebastian Welsh | Arlington, VA | Cloud-scalable simulation technology |
| Silverstay | Patrick Mish | Columbia, MD | Hospital discharge solutions for seniors |
| Somble | Ian Waltz, Matt Barnett, & Dom D'Alexander | New York, NY | Business and technology collaboration platform for fitness coaches |
| TownHall | Pete Naldony | Outer Banks, NC | Virtual learning environment tool |
| COMPANY | HOKIE LEADER(S) | FOUNDED | ACQUIRED | ABOUT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clowder | Sergei Dubograev | 2017 | December 2023 | Mobile engagement platform |
| Embody Inc. | Jeff Conroy | 2015 | January 2023 | Medical development with an orthopedic focus |
| GoCanvas | Chris Morrisette | 2008 | July 2024 | Platform to connect field operations to the office |
| Jeli.o | Nora Jones | 2019 | November 2023 | One-stop incident response tool |
| Logikcull | Andy Willson | 2004 | August 2023 | E-discovery platform for law firms and organizations |
| Octo Consulting | Mehul Sanghani | 2006 | December 2022 | GovCon and IT consulting firm |
| Scite_ | Josh Nicholson | 2018 | December 2023 | Research validation tool |
