Kezia Dixon, who recently graduated from Middle Georgia State University with a degree in applied art and design, is building “BOSSBOARDERCREW,” a sports-inspired streetwear brand that blends graphic design, athletics, and self-expression. 

Computer science major Diego Sarmiento is developing “Buggyverse,” an online platform designed to help students stay focused, accountable, and connected through virtual study rooms and productivity tools. 

And Rhonda Weaver, a graduate student in the Master of Business in Professional Leadership program, is pursuing a concept for a voice-activated LED communication system that would allow drivers to display simple messages such as "Thank You," "Go," "Stop," or "You're Welcome" on their vehicles using existing smart-assistant technology. 

All three are spending part of their summer exploring what it takes to transform creative ideas into viable businesses after being selected to represent Middle Georgia State (MGA) in the University System of Georgia's inaugural Startup Studio program. 

The one-day virtual program, scheduled for June, brings together students from public colleges and universities across the state to learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. Through hands-on activities focused on customer discovery, business modeling, and product development, participants evaluate and refine their ideas by talking with potential customers, testing assumptions, and identifying real problems worth solving. 

“This is a highly competitive initiative, and the selection of our students is a testament to the strength and originality of their ideas,” said Dr. Everod Davis, assistant dean of the School of Business who coordinates MGA’s participation. “We are proud to have them representing MGA in Georgia’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.” 

While their concepts range from educational technology to vehicle safety and apparel design, the ideas of all three MGA participants grew from personal experiences and observations. 

Buggyverse is designed as a digital environment where students can join virtual study rooms, use focus timers, and build productive habits while staying connected to peers pursuing similar goals. 

"Many students struggle not because they are not capable, but because studying alone can feel isolating, unstructured, and easy to abandon," said Sarmiento, a sophomore from Macon. “I wanted to build something that could help students like me turn scattered effort into momentum.”  

For Weaver, inspiration arrived during a routine driving situation involving her daughter. 

The Warner Robins resident recalled watching her then-16-year-old daughter navigate a four-way stop and noticing how difficult it could be for drivers to communicate with one another using hand gestures or flashing headlights. 

"If cars could 'talk' to one another using simple, safe, and polite language, we could significantly reduce road confusion and prevent potential road rage," Weaver said. 

Her concept would integrate with existing smart-assistant technology such as Siri or Google Assistant, allowing drivers to activate predetermined messages that could be displayed externally on their vehicles. 

Weaver hopes Startup Studio will help her validate the market for the idea, refine its business model, and identify the best path toward developing a prototype. 

"The most interesting aspect of the USG Startup Studio is having the pathway to new opportunities and seeing my vision as a reality," she said. "Ultimately, I want to gain the mentorship needed to turn a good idea into a tangible safety solution." 

While Sarmiento and Weaver are focused on technology-based solutions, Dixon is pursuing a venture rooted in creativity and design. 

The Perry resident launched BOSSBOARDERCREW to bridge the gap between graphic-design-driven apparel and the sports and activities people are passionate about. 

"I was inspired to pursue this idea from a desire to create designs that appeal to sports across multiple genres," said Dixon, who graduated from MGA this past spring. 

"What interested me most about the USG Startup Studio was seeing it as an opportunity to help me get my foot in the door with the world of entrepreneurship," she said. "I'm hoping to learn ways to achieve the goals I have for my startup." 

The Startup Studio is part of the University System's Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurial Strategies, which works to expand innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities for students and faculty across the state's public colleges and universities. The programs the office provides give participants structured ways to take early-stage ideas and test whether they can grow into viable ventures.  

For Sarmiento, that structure is especially important as he works to refine Buggyverse and evaluate its potential with real users.  

“Buggyverse started as a way to make studying feel less lonely and more intentional, but the vision has grown into something larger,” he said. “It’s to help students and eventually institutions create stronger online study communities.”