Bench Top Innovations is a year-long student-managed course where 16 students collaborate, ideate, iterate, and commercialize a consumer packaged food or beverage product concept. Students create and run a revenue-generating business!In the first semester, students work (and compete) in teams to ideate and develop innovative yet practical food or beverage product concepts for commercialization. The first semester ends with a public demo day where the UR and RVA startup community samples your products. A food and beverage expert panel selects which has the most commercial viability.During the second semester, students work as one unit (all 16 company "employees"), launching and scaling your business. Throughout, your instructors, advisors, and guest speakers will supplement your experience with content applicable to the issues being faced by your company.Students make all decisions — which product to launch, which students will hold what roles, what experiments to invest in, and what pivots need to be made. We promise you the opportunity to learn. Hopefully, you will learn about yourself, dealing with co-workers, managing through uncertainty, and overcoming adversity.

NOOSH is a refreshing take on an old favorite that is savory and smooth, with a little bit of a kick. With notes of citrus and a hint of something hotter, this isn't your mama's old baba ganoush. So get creative in the kitchen, and NOOSH to your heart's delight.Noosh was created by a group of student entrepreneurs from the University of Richmond.

TwinTail Brews was founded by a group of college students at the University of Richmond searching for an energizing, but balanced alternative to just straight caffeine to help fuel their busy schedules. They’ve created the Superberry Power Tea using our secret weapon called L-Theanine, minimizing the jitters and afternoon crashes that are associated with traditional caffeinated drinks. A new kind of energy, SOARING YOUR WAY soon MARCH 2023 in stores and online at www.twintailbrews.com.TwinTail Brews is the second student created and run business stemming from the University of Richmond's Bench Top Creations program. Sixteen students from all disciplines are selected for the year-long program to innovate within the consumer packaged food space- from idea to prototype to MVP to commercialization. Idea to revenue in less than nine months!#FlowStateFuel #TakeFlight #ABalancedBoost #CoffeeCrazeAlternative

Absurd Snacks in the inaugural student created and run business stemming from the University of Richmond's Bench Top Creations program. Sixteen students from all disciplines are selected for the year-long program to innovate within the consumer packaged food space- from idea to prototype to MVP to commercialization. Idea to revenue in less than nine months!https://www.bizjournals.com/richmond/inno/stories/profiles/2021/12/07/bench-top-innovation-program.html

Successful Exit: Sold to COMPASS (2019)