Learn About The Founders
Changing the World… from Greenville, South Carolina
Matt Gevaert
CEO and Co-founder Of Kiyatec, Inc.
Since immigrating to the United States 25 years ago, Canadian native Matt Gevaert has accomplished a lot. A master’s degree from Clemson University’s internationally renowned bioengineering program turned into a Ph.D, and grondbreaking cancer research. Then, in 2005, he founded KIYATEC and the growth that has resulted has been astounding.
Gevaert says it’s a privilege to have Greenville as part of his story, and the support of the community has helped make KIAYTEC’s success possible.
Nicole Johnson
Co-owner, Boyd Cycling
Nicole Johnson and her husband Boyd moved to Greenville because the weather and terrain were an ideal mix for professional cyclists. They stayed because they built a great life and found the resources to grow a successful business with a young daughter along for the ride.
Passion, grit, and determination helped the couple excel, first in cycling and now in business. Paired with their unflinching optimism and a lot of local support, Boyd Cycling is expanding and thriving in Greenville.
Ryan Johnston And Ryan Heafy
Co-Founders of 6AM City
There’s no doubt the guys behind one of the fastest growing local media companies in the nation love Greenville. Suffice it to say “the Ryans” are dialed in. They are visible. They are involved. Even as their daily eblast, GVL Today, expanded into a nationwide enterprise, they kept the connection to their home base. They say the city has a cheerleading mentality and supports entrepreneurs who are moving HERE from somewhere else.
Dr. Nika White
Nika White Consulting
A Forbes Books featured author, podcaster, speaker, and consultant, Dr. Nika White works to maximize the effectiveness, potential, and capacity of people’s and organizations’ through organizational development, focusing specifically strategic and intentional efforts fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
David Stefanich
Co-founder Of Rymedi
Co-founder of health care tech company Rymedi, David Stefanich is running in six countries worldwide. But he always comes back to Greenville. Stefanich talks about why Greenville is a great place to live, work and raise a family.
Erin Mehagan
Founder, Livilulane
Erin Mehagan is a mom of three and founder of Livi Lu Lane. Her bra line has been featured on TODAY with Hoda & Jenna. Erin’s launch to success came through the #StartupGVL ecosystem, which supported her in empowering women to create the shape they want.
Lashonn Edmunds
Founder, CAIRS Shoes
LaShonn Edmunds is using her problem-solving skills to take her life back from an incurable condition that stopped her in her tracks. The founder of CAIRS Shoes is an inventor, an entrepreneur, and an advocate. Edmunds has been a champion of founders in her community, and she has cultivated a network of people ready and willing to help her overcome any obstacle.
A global pandemic, supply chain issues, and production problems may have slowed her down, but nothing is going to stop LaShonn from bringing her product to market. She’s on a mission to give women who suffer from chronically swollen feet a little bit of their “sass” back. Watch how she’s changing the world FROM HERE.
Kenzie Biggins
Founder of Worxbee
Kenzie Biggins is a visionary entrepreneur committed to transforming the way executives work. With years of experience in talent development and operational management, Kenzie founded Worxbee, a leading provider of remote Executive Assistant services designed to enhance workflow and performance.
Her journey began with a clear goal: to address the growing need for skilled, flexible executive assistants who could streamline operations and support business leaders. Through Worxbee, Kenzie provides a range of services, from subscription-based virtual assistants to permanent placements, all tailored to meet the specific needs of executives.
At Worxbee, Kenzie’s mission is to deliver well-equipped executive assistants who understand the high demands of leadership roles and can elevate productivity. By combining a client-centric approach with innovative service offerings, Kenzie has built a community where business leaders can find the expert support they need to succeed.
Her mission is simple: to make executives’ lives easier by connecting them with talented assistants who drive results.
David Raad
Founder, Six & Twenty Distillery
David Raad built Six & Twenty Distillery with one principle in mind: “Thou shall own your own market.” While his products are distributed in 17 states, it’s South Carolina—his home base and strongest market—that continues to matter most. Based in Greenville, the business is built like a three-legged stool: the neighborhood bar located in Poe West, bottle sales, and wholesale distribution.
With years of global experience in consumer goods and investment under his belt, David brings both humility and sharp strategy to his work. “I’m learning every day,” he says—and that mindset has helped him grow a sustainable, scalable brand rooted in relationships, resilience, and relentless local focus. He is a great supporter of the #StartupGVL ecosystem, mentoring other founders, and he gives credit to the mentorship he has found in organizations like SCORE, SBA, and the SBDC.
Rob Brunner
Founder, Parks Automation
Rob Brunner is the founder of Parks Automation, a startup focused on bringing smart, non-invasive technology to national parks. A mechanical engineer by training, Rob developed the idea while working in factory automation and seeing firsthand how outdated systems were holding parks back. After moving to Greenville for Furman University Hill Institute’s GVL Starts program, he quickly became embedded in the startup ecosystem through NextGEN’s Growth Labs and Flywheel Coworking. Rob’s love for the outdoors—and a long list of hands-on hobbies—fuels his work to create tech that improves park operations without changing the visitor experience. He’s currently preparing to launch his first prototype and is excited to scale from the Southeast outward.