School of Business Administration

The University of Dayton's (UD) Entrepreneurship Program provides students with real-world experience in launching, scaling, financing, and investing in ventures. Within this program, the addition of Flyer Nest within the MGT 430. Senior Seminar in Entrepreneurship, now offers a structured pathway for students to build and launch scalable businesses while retaining ownership after graduation.

Flyer Nest integrates UD’s entrepreneurship curriculum with industry and community partnerships, making it the first program where students can launch a micro-company in their first class and graduate with a fully developed startup. As part of their senior capstone, students:

• Earn academic credit (3-credit i-Term course).
• Work with Dayton’s Entrepreneurs’ Center, University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) and other university and military research labs.  
• Form an LLC and receive support from Ohio's Entrepreneurial Services Provider (ESP) Program.
• Gain equity in their startup after the course if they choose to continue the business, while Flyer Nest receives a stake in exchange for its support services.
• Pitch for additional funding through Flyer Pitch, Flyer Angels, and EC Angels.
• Retain their equity stake post-graduation or forfeit it if they do not continue with the venture.

The Ohio ESP Program and the Ohio Third Frontier Technology Validation and Start-Up Fund (TVSF) provide critical resources to Flyer Nest teams, supporting the commercialization of institutionalized technologies such as those developed for the Department of Defense. By working within these frameworks, students gain access to a range of advanced patents and technologies, which they adapt for new applications.

From Concept to Startup: Hank Veeneman’s Journey

Hank Veeneman, an entrepreneurship senior, is part of one of Flyer Nest’s inaugural cohorts. His team, consisting of fellow entrepreneurship students Brayden Sheppard and Matteo Sindoni, identified a technology originally designed for hazmat suits—a zipper light system that signals whether a suit is fully sealed. Drawing from his football background, he saw an opportunity to apply the same principle to helmet safety. Their innovation, a sensor embedded in chin straps, ensures players properly secure their helmets, reducing the risk of head injuries.

Veeneman’s passion for the project stems from personal experience. “Head injuries remain a serious issue in football, and loose chin straps significantly contribute to the problem,” he explains. Through their research, his team found that 28% of players do not properly tighten their chin straps, based on surveys of over 200 football coaches. This means 4,500 players within the surveyed programs are at risk due to poorly secured helmets. His startup aims to address this problem, enhancing player safety through innovative technology.

Guidance, Funding, and Flyer Nest’s Role

Veeneman contrasts the MGT 220 & 221. Entrepreneurship Sophomore Experience with Flyer Nest, emphasizing the distinct levels of mentorship and support. In the  MGT 220 & 221 courses sophomore program, students navigate their ventures largely on their own under the supervision of a professor. In contrast, Flyer Nest provides a more immersive experience with hands-on mentorship from three dedicated advisors—Vince Lewis, Aaron Delidow, and Paul Jackson. These mentors actively challenge students, ensuring they take meaningful steps toward building their businesses. 

In addition to applying for the $200,000 TVSF grant, Veeneman and his team entered Flyer Pitch, an annual competition awarding more than $100,000 in cash and in-kind prizes. Currently in the final round, their business pitch has been refined through investor feedback and real-world validation. These investors, who have previously funded startups, offer critical insights and potential investment opportunities.

Building Toward Market Launch

With their business plan finalized and the TVSF grant application submitted in January 2025, Veeneman and his team are now focused on securing additional investment. They are working closely with UD’s engineering capstone class to develop a technical prototype and plan to collaborate with Converge Technologies for full-scale product development. The process is expected to take nine months, with plans to test the device with UD’s football team by March 2026 and begin market entry by fall 2026.

A Platform for Risk and Reward

Entrepreneurship requires a leap of faith, and Veeneman acknowledges that starting a business is inherently risky. However, Flyer Nest provides a structured environment that encourages students to take that leap, offering mentorship, funding opportunities, and strategic guidance. Flyer Nest students gain the tools, connections, and confidence to launch their own companies.

For Veeneman, this experience is about more than just building a business—it’s about leveraging his creativity and passion to solve real-world problems. “Flyer Nest has given me an incredible opportunity, and there’s no turning back now,” he says.

As development and testing continue, his team’s venture has the potential to significantly improve player safety and make a lasting impact on the sport.