Meet the 2026 Miller Fellowship Cohort
Over the next six months, five recent graduates will gain resources, funding and mentorship to take their business to the next level.
Established in 2014, the Miller Fellowship was designed by Tom Miller to bridge the gap between graduation and full-time entrepreneurship. Students often face a tough choice as graduation approaches: take a traditional job or commit to their startup. The fellowship was designed to provide these recent graduates with financial stability as they work on their businesses.
Fellows receive:
- A monthly stipend ($2,000)
- Specialized mentoring from the NC State Innovation and Entrepreneurship team
- Access to startup spaces, including the Albright Entrepreneurship Garage
- Workshops and networking opportunities to refine their business strategies
- Six-month fellowship (June to November) providing structured support, refining their business models and fostering long-term success
Meet the 2026 Cohort
Five recent graduates represent a variety of industries, from consumer goods to game design. Over the next six months, these fellows will work on developing their businesses alongside one another.
Benjamin Rimon | Frontline Interactive

Benjamin Rimon graduated from NC State College of Engineering with a degree in computer science with a concentration in game development. Now, he is looking to grow his business, Frontline Interactive.
Frontline Interactive is a game studio focused on building interactive video games for government organizations and NGOs. The studio focuses on developing games for training and education that teach important skills such as leadership, communication and strategy.
Over the next six months, Benjamin plans to use fellowship resources to grow his business. He hopes that by the end of this fellowship, he will be able to secure his first contract.
Personally, Benjamin is looking to gain entrepreneurial skills and expertise needed to turn Frontline Interactive into a successful and sustainable company.
Gabe Huntsman | Afuse

Gabe Huntsman graduated from NC State Poole College of Management with a degree in business administration with a concentration in finance. Throughout college — and now after graduation — Gabe has developed his business, Afuse, a mobile app helping students find roommates and friends.
As Gabe explores the next steps for his business, the Miller Fellowship will help it grow by providing structured time and resources to explore new revenue opportunities. The mentorship from his cohort and staff will be crucial as he navigates the institutional process and builds scalable systems.
With multiple paths in business, Gabe looks forward to finding what fulfills him and how his business fits into that equation. He wants to find a balance that brings joy to life while leaving a positive, lasting legacy.
“I’m excited to create and build on meaningful relationships with members and staff participating in this year’s cohort. I know the relationships built from this will continue with me for many years,” said Gabe.
Kenza Tekil | Kasbah Koffee

Kenza Tekil graduated from NC State College of Engineering with a degree in industrial and systems engineering. After graduation, she is growing her coffee cart, Kasbah Koffee.
Named after the historic capital of Algiers, which is known for its rich culture, resilience and deep roots in tradition. Kasbah Koffee brings that same spirit into every cup, serving coffee with an Arab, Algerian and Palestinian twist with bold flavors, authentic ingredients and a touch of home in every sip.
Through the fellowship, Kenza hopes to strengthen the Kasbah Koffee brand, expand her reach in the community and develop a strategic foundation for long-term growth. She plans to utilize the mentorship, accountability and access to experienced entrepreneurs to scale her business.
Personally, Kenza plans to seek guidance on business strategy, goal alignment and long-term growth planning. She hopes to establish a clear timeline with actionable milestones to turn her vision into a sustainable and scalable business.
“I am most looking forward to connecting with other driven entrepreneurs, learning from experienced mentors and growing alongside a community of people building meaningful ventures. I’m also excited for the opportunity to challenge myself, gain new perspectives and further develop Kasbah Koffee into a lasting business,” said Kenza.
Max McKee | SPRTN Technologies

Max McKee graduated from NC State College of Engineering with a degree in electrical engineering. He is now working to take his business, SPRTN Technologies, full-time.
SPRTN 1’s are the world’s first wireless earbuds with 1-mile range, underwater audio, and live AI coaching – built for swimmers and athletes. Run the full length of the track without losing connection, then dive straight into the pool, still wearing your everyday earbuds.
Over the next six months, Max hopes to accelerate both product development and business execution. The mentorship, funding and network will help SPRTN Technologies move faster on prototyping, IP and go-to-market execution while focusing on strategic growth.
As an entrepreneur, Max wants to learn from experienced mentors, strengthen his leadership and decision-making, and gain the skills he needs to bring his vision and prototypes to market. Ultimately, he wants to build the foundation for becoming a lifelong entrepreneur who can continue to innovate and lead successful ventures over time.
Max looks forward to being part of a community of serious builders who are all advancing ambitious ideas. He is excited to learn from his fellow founders, get honest feedback and be surrounded by people who will challenge him to be better.
“This fellowship is a major reason I’m able to focus on building my business full-time post-grad, which is incredibly exciting to me, and I do not plan to waste a single minute of that opportunity,” said Max.
Megan Aljian | Forest Found Products

Megan Aljian graduated from NC State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences with a degree in biological and agricultural engineering. During her senior year, Megan started Forest Found Products and is now working on growing her business after graduation.
Forest Found Products produces and sells its patent-pending Bite & Sting Relief. With the belief that local plants can help us, Forest Found soothes the itch naturally, producing products in Pittsboro, NC, using locally harvested plants.
With a goal to sell 3,000 bottles of Bite & Sting relief this summer, Megan is working to show that Forest Found, as a brand, not just a product, works in practice, not only theory. She hopes to make local connections to entrepreneurs who can share how they successfully launched consumer products and that the programming can better inform marketing strategies for the business.
Starting a company comes with a unique set of highs and lows. As a solo founder, Megan is excited to find a community to share this experience with. She is excited to learn from other teams and mentors.
“I have a lot left to learn about how to successfully lead a company and I really value opportunities to shorten that learning curve. I’m excited to be exposed to some of the lessons already learned in the Miller Fellowship community,” said Megan.