With new hatchery, UF breeds startups

In the Reitz Union on Thursday, Bridget Sullivan laid out patriotic shirts she designed.

The 19-year-old UF nutritional sciences freshman partcipated in the soft opening of the Reitz Retail Gator Hatchery, located on the ground floor. The hatchery, organized by the Reitz Union and UF’s Warrington College of Business Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center, allows students to sell their products, said Nola Miyasaki, the executive director for outreach and incubation at UF.

Products will officially be on sale Friday, Miyasaki said.

“It’s a terrific opportunity for students to sell their products and test the market for their products,” she said.

Miyasaki said there are six student managers operating out of the hatchery, which includes companies specializing in apparel, games, promotions and virtual reality.

Sullivan founded her clothing company, Americamo, in 2015 with her older sister. She said she wanted to design patriotic clothes made in the U.S.

“When you go to Bass Pro Shop or when you go to Tractor Supply, and you buy a T-shirt with the American flag and it was made overseas, there is something wrong with that,” said Sullivan, whose tank tops sell for $12 and T-shirts for $16.

Sullivan said she heard about the hatchery through one of her business classes and is excited to start selling her products.

The hatchery will be open weekdays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Students who want to sell their products can apply online, Miyasaki said.

“It’s a tremendous learning experience for anyone,” she said.