Published: January 18, 2017

UT Student Accepted to Prestigious National Incubator for Entrepreneurs

Ryan Deitrich, a University of Tampa student, was recently accepted as one of 17 students nationwide to participate in the 2017 Future Founders Fellowship cohort.

The Future Founders Fellowship is a selective year-long cohort that accelerates the development of the top student entrepreneurs in the nation. Deitrich’s acceptance marks the second time a UT student has been selected for the program, with Matthew Sarli ’16 serving in the 2016 cohort. Fellows benefit from mentoring, entrepreneurship retreats, a peer community and volunteer opportunities through Future Founders programs.

Deitrich, who is pursuing his master’s degree in entrepreneurship, founded the startup company Spared Inc., which is an app that helps college graduates pay off their student loans.

Scott Issen, president and CEO of Future Founders, said the fellowship is an intensive program that develops both the founders and their businesses, giving them time to grow over a 12-month period. “By connecting fellows with talented peers, high caliber mentors and critical resources, we can encourage them to more intentionally pursue entrepreneurship,” Issen said.

The fellowship is an initiative of Future Founders Startup, a dynamic platform to engage, equip and empower collegiate entrepreneurs. Future Founders Startup is generously supported by Capital One, The Coleman Foundation, The John E. and Jeanne T. Hughes Foundation, Keywell Foundation and Motorola Solutions Foundation.

Acceptance into the fellowship followed a competitive nationwide application and interview process. The 17 entrepreneurs who were selected for the 2017 fellowship cohort represent 15 schools in nine states. The fellows’ businesses represent industries including agriculture, consumer products, food and tech.

For more information, visit http://futurefounders.com/startup/ or contact Katie Sowa, senior director, at katie@futurefounders.com.