Entrepreneurial teams win at Clemson Startup Competition

CLEMSON, S.C. - Campbell University students and alumni earned top honors at Clemson University's inaugural Military & Veterans Pitch Competition, bringing home both first and third place awards in a showcase of entrepreneurial talent among military-connected innovators.

Joseph Martindale, a recent Lundy-Fetterman Campbell Business School graduate and current MBA student at Vanderbilt University, took first place and a $12,000 prize for RuckSox, a high-performance sock company addressing the unique demands of military rucking. The idea for RuckSox was developed in a Campbell MBA course held in downtown Raleigh, and Martindale co-founded the venture alongside Killian Nowry, also a former Campbell student.

"Campbell was the catalyst," said Martindale. "The concept for RuckSox was born in a Campbell classroom, and the support we received during those early stages helped us turn frustration into innovation."

RuckSox aims to solve a long-standing issue in the rucking community - blisters caused by subpar socks - by producing blister-resistant socks made from moisture-wicking Merino wool. The startup also champions local manufacturing, producing their gear in North Carolina to help bring textile jobs back to the region.

Also representing Campbell at the event were current students Tyler Renken (School of Business) and Ethan Kessler (School of Engineering), who earned third place honors with their venture. Renken, a former U.S. military fabricator, and Kessler, an engineering major, are continuing to build momentum following their participation in the TCU Values and Ventures Competition earlier this year.

"Entrepreneurship has been one of the most valuable parts of my education," said Renken. "It's where theory meets reality. These competitions push us to grow in ways that lectures alone can't."

Held Oct. 31 at Clemson's Brook T. Smith Launchpad, the competition spotlighted innovation among active-duty military members, veterans, ROTC students, military spouses, and Gold Star children. The event awarded $30,000 in total prize money to five winning teams and was made possible through the generosity of Clemson alumni Frank and Jennifer Blake, with the goal of honoring Clemson's military heritage while promoting entrepreneurial leadership.

Dr. Kevin O'Mara, dean of the Campbell School of Business, praised both teams for exemplifying the university's mission:

"This is a proud moment for Campbell. These students and alumni are not only innovating, they're applying their knowledge in meaningful, real-world contexts. Entrepreneurship is where disciplines intersect, and Tyler, Ethan, Joseph and Killian are outstanding examples of how that synergy can lead to real impact."

The dual wins reflect Campbell University's growing focus on interdisciplinary entrepreneurship, military-connected education and hands-on learning - values deeply embedded in the institution's mission.

Contributors