Hyve Conference Promotes Innovation at Andrews

From March 27–29, 2025

The Hyve Conference’s Startup Pitch Showcase took place on Saturday evening, March 29. (Photo by Lydia Ruckle)

Andrews University hosted the third annual North American Hyve International Conference from March 27–29, a gathering where students, entrepreneurs, ministry leaders and businesspeople networked with fellow innovators and pitched their ideas. Through various workshops and programs on campus, practicing entrepreneurs shared their experiences and advice on how to cultivate a strong business in a way that glorifies God.

The collaborative efforts of Hyve International, led by Founder and President Jesse Zwiker, and Andrews University’s Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, directed by Matias Soto, produced a meaningful weekend of fellowship, education and professional development. Both leaders served as speakers during the weekend and coordinated with event volunteers to ensure a smooth experience for all participants.

“It exceeded my expectations,” said Gael Rutayisire, international business and French student, of the conference. “I met a lot of people, investors, start-ups, and they know what they want.”

Attendees began their conference experience on Thursday morning with presentations by Lydia Matiushenko, CEO of CleanMiles, and Dani Cruz, an entrepreneur and finance student at Andrews University. In her presentation titled “Crafting the Ultimate Customer Journey: Strategies for Success,” Matiushenko emphasized the importance of crafting a business around the needs and best interests of customers.

Cruz’s presentation was on online marketing and sales, and he talked extensively about the lessons and trials he has gone through during his own business sales ventures. His developing career in sales and business has shown him ways of utilizing and effectively capitalizing on sales leads without negatively impacting his personal life. Addressing a room full of veteran entrepreneurs, Cruz underscored that as fruitful as business can be, having adequate time for religious and home life should be a priority.

On Thursday night, the Hyve Inter-Collegiate Pitch Competition took place, where students from various Adventist universities competed to receive funding for their entrepreneurial endeavors. The winners included Adventist Movies by Leonardo Aguilera (Andrews University) in first place with a $5,000 prize, Fortify Storage by David Kapiniak (Burman University) in second place with a $2,000 prize, and Hint of Michigan by Alex Butnaru and Evan Keyes (Andrews University) in third place with a $1,000 prize.

On Friday morning, Adventist entrepreneur Gary Rayner gave a keynote address. Rayner spoke about his various successes in business and how they have led him to understand the biblical principles of business. Citing texts like Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might,” he shared that genuine care for others should be an entrepreneur's leading motive in business. Rayner’s most recent business endeavor is his company Plana, a non-profit Christian organization that builds community and provides resources for women dealing with infertility or unplanned pregnancies.

The second day of the Hyve conference continued with panel discussions, networking opportunities and a keynote presentation by business owner Curtis Letniak. In the evening, a vespers service opened the Sabbath, featuring a performance by award-winning Christian singer and Andrews graduate student Kevin Anthony Fowler (stage name K-Anthony). Several entrepreneurs shared testimonies of how God helped them in their private lives and how they were ultimately able to bless others in their ministries and businesses.

David Asscherick, an ordained Seventh-day Adventist minister and director of Light Bearers Ministry, then delivered a passionate message about Boaz, who he described as an excellent example of what it means to be a godly person in business. Boaz was an honorable businessman who knew his workers personally and went out of his way to show care for a new employee—Ruth. Asscherick also pointed out that the era of the Judges, when the story of Ruth and Boaz takes place, was one of the darkest times in Israel’s history. Despite this—in part due to Boaz’s faithfulness as an honorable business owner and God-fearing man—he noted that the union between Ruth and Boaz produced a bloodline leading to David, Israel’s greatest king, and Jesus Christ, the king of the universe.

Discussions on how to be a better Christian businessperson continued on Saturday, the last day of the conference. Various talks and panel discussions explored how to provide business training for individuals and leaders in the Adventist church while still keeping the focus on meaningful ministry.

Soto emphasized the value that Hyve has, especially for young Adventists who hope to balance entrepreneurial success and their faith. “Doing business and entrepreneurship does not have to be completely devoid of their religion or their spiritual connection with God,” he said. “They can be combined so that you could do business with a purpose.”

After sunset, the Hyve Startup Pitch Showcase took place, where entrepreneurs competed for financial awards from successful Adventist innovators and businesspeople. Sean Sutton of Bible Bricks was selected by the investors as the winner, and the audience choice award went to Andrew Gonzalez of Radical Homes. All showcase participants were able to meet with investors on Sunday morning to discuss potential partnership opportunities and funding.

Students from the Andrews University Action Group, Seminary Student Forum and School of Business actively participated in the Hyve Conference, both as entrepreneurs and as volunteers. They supported registration booths and ensured that guests were cared for throughout the weekend. Kato Golooba-Mutebi, finance student, noted, “The importance of an event like Hyve and why we brought it to Andrews was to also bring it to a place where we are also trying to work on the future. I think Hyve is building the future of Adventist business.” He added that he foresees a future where, with the help of Hyve, Adventist startup companies and entrepreneurs will become more notable and accepted across the business industry as they serve others with purpose.