Hyve Conference to Highlight Adventist Innovation

From March 27–29, 2025

The Hyve Conference will be held at the Howard Performing Arts Center on the Andrews University campus, where previous Andrews Pitch Competitions have taken place. (Photo by Blaise Datoy)

Hyve International’s annual Hyve Conference will take place for the first time at Andrews University from March 27–29. Hyve International is an organization with the mission of developing a network and community of Seventh-day Adventist innovators who are interested in uniting their business endeavors with spiritual work. This year, Hyve International is partnering with Andrews University’s Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship to host the conference at the Howard Performing Arts Center. Students and established entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to connect, grow, and network professionally and personally.

At least 400 participants are expected to attend the 2025 Hyve Conference, the third time the event will take place in the United States. Several Hyve Conferences have been held in Europe, Australia and South America, as Hyve International seeks to build a truly global Adventist network.

The two previous U.S.-based events were hosted by Southern Adventist University, and a team of ten Andrews students attended both years. This year, all interested Andrews students in innovation-related fields will have access to the conference. Matias Soto, director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Andrews, worked with Hyve International leadership, led by Founder and President Jesse Zwiker, to organize the 2025 conference. In addition to the main programming at the Howard Performing Arts Center, certain workshops and luncheons will occur in Chan Shun Hall and Johnson Gym.

The Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship is working hard to advance the mission of the Hyve Conference for Andrews students. Soto expresses, “Our goal is to immerse our students into the world of entrepreneurship, get them inspired by reflecting on the examples of other Adventist entrepreneurs who will be speaking and networking.” He hopes students will “learn from them, be inspired by them, possibly partner with them.”

The Hyve Conference caters to both practicing entrepreneurs and those who are still trying to break into the industry, including students. Programs, workshops and competitions are geared toward a wide audience, including individuals looking to network, students seeking more knowledge of their prospective industry, and any community members who seek to benefit from the conference’s resources.

There will be several unique events throughout the weekend. On Friday morning, 25 entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to present their 60-second business or project pitch to attendees and prospective business partners. Later, a “Shark Tank” style competition will take place on Saturday evening. Five to 10 Adventist start-up companies will pitch their business ideas to established Adventist investors and entrepreneurs, with the possibility of being awarded up to $1.5 million. The conference will also feature a Friday night vespers program with K-Anthony, recording artist and Andrews graduate student; David Asscherick, Adventist pastor and author; and more.

Soto believes that creating spaces for Adventist entrepreneurs is a necessity. “The last four years in the U.S. have seen the most applications for new business registrations and start-ups than any other four-year span in American history. There’s a lot of interest in entrepreneurship and business,” he shares. “We want to highlight the importance of business and entrepreneurship because many of our students here at Andrews will face opportunities for entrepreneurship, and they need to know what that might look like.” Soto adds, “Doing business and entrepreneurship does not have to be completely devoid of their religion or their spiritual connection with God. They can be combined so that you could do business with a purpose.”

Discounted tickets for the Hyve Conference are available to all Andrews University students. With the promo code “ANDREWSONLY,” students will receive a 75% discount on the student pass, which gives them access to every workshop, meeting and event during the weekend. Please visit the Hyve International website for more information about the organization and the Hyve Conference. The Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship’s web page also offers news and details about innovation on campus.