returned to campus this summer for the TIA Summer Accelerator with the hope that their product will be ready to sell to students during the upcoming fall semester.
Why TIA:
“When we were offered the opportunity to be a part of the accelerator, we were super excited. Our brand is unique because we strive to bring Asian culture to campus primarily through food. Both Bill [Luo ’26] and I have different backgrounds in terms of work experience, and by combining both of those, we aim to bring bubble tea here as efficiently as possible” explained co-founder Vivian Jiang ’26.
Jiang noted that the accelerator has provided them with the necessary tools to operate a business, skills that they had not previously considered. The team expressed that, as the summer progresses, they hope to be able to guide themselves through the legal process — such as taxes and other paperwork — confidently.
By the end of the summer, the team hopes for ’Gٱ to be in full swing with an official permit and insurance, and to be approved by the Campus Venture Initiative in time for the fall semester.
Future Endeavors
The purchase of a push cart to distribute their product has motivated Jiang and Luo to bring ’Gٱ to the next level. Upon its arrival, the team will use the cart to sell within the Ƶ community in an efficient manner.
“The push cart is just a simple black cart with a sink to keep things clean. There are shelves for storage and also a fridge unit to keep things cool. The benefit of having it is that we can push it around to multiple locations on campus so we can distribute bubble tea to students more easily,” said Jiang.
Along with the pushcart, the team hopes to make use of the soon-to-be-unveiled campus food truck, which will be launched this fall and available for use by student businesses. Given the size and space of the truck, it will allow easier production and transportation for the team. Both the cart and the truck would be used for sales at least once a week on campus.
The team is also developing plans for branded merchandise. Their first item will be a reusable tumbler that customers can use, with a discount for drinks to promote sustainability.
Summer Accomplishments
On July 1 and 2, ’Gٱ held a successful sale at The Hub, where they sold out almost all of their products.
Hamilton residents appreciated the convenience of ’Gٱ, several mentioning that they were elated to not have to drive all the way to Syracuse to purchase authentic bubble tea.
The pair are looking forward to organizing more sales once the fall semester arrives and will use their accomplishments in town as motivation to expand their network across Hamilton.
“We’re really looking forward to selling on campus to students and also expanding our menu because many have expressed their concerns with dietary restrictions. We’ll be adding fruit teas to accommodate them, as well as for those who prefer fruity drinks,” explained Jiang.
Words of Wisdom
“For students interested in entrepreneurship, I would definitely advise them to bring their ideas to the TIA Incubator and make it happen,” said Jiang. “The process is long but it is rewarding when you start to see it pay off.”
To Jiang and Luo, each step forward — no matter how small — is a stepping stone toward something extraordinary.