Grand Canyon University’s young entrepreneurs continue to gain recognition for their efforts, making up almost half the honorees on the 2025 AZ Inno Under 25 list by the Phoenix Business Journal.
Five students and alumni – RaSean McMiller, Connor Vicary, Suman Dangol, Kevin Vega and Autum Prudhomme – were among 11 young entrepreneurs selected t the list, which honors entrepreneurs 25 or younger who operate businesses.
“It means everything to be honored for this award,” said McMiller, 22, owner of Aluee Hair Care who is a senior entrepreneurial studies major. “It all goes back to the work I put in, day in and day out. It’s always good to see that I am getting noticed also for what value I can provide.”
McMiller transferred from Sauk Valley Community College in Illinois to GCU because he wanted to elevate his business. Shortly after moving to the Valley, Aluee sold more than 2,500 units and generated more than $65,000 in sales.
“This is also great, too, because it shows kids where I’m from that it’s possible to do something different that’s outside of sports and entertainment,” McMiller said. “GCU has changed my life forever. I’ve gained lifelong relationships, networked and been able to grow my business.”
Vicary, co-founder and CEO of Turnkey Industries, partnered with innovation hub Distillery Labs in Peoria, Illinois. The partnership could see 1,000 student-run startup businesses in Vicary’s hometown of Peoria.
Turnkey’s kits for entrepreneurs include plans, training and equipment to help young innovators start their companies, and it has connected high schools, nonprofits and community groups with training classes and resources.
Vicary, 23, earned his bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurial studies and is a graduate student in the Colangelo College of Business.
Dangol and Vega are co-owners of the Vox Company, which produced the Vox Box, promoted as the world’s first AI-powered business consultant in a box.
They won the $5,000 AZ Venture of the Year Award at GCU’s Demo Day in February for their app, which produces solutions for businesses by providing AI, design, branding and marketing services.
Dangol and Vega also represented GCU as one of 750 startups competing for $1 million in prizes at the prestigious Hult Prize 2025 USA National Competition in Boston in March.
Dangol graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and served as an assistant professor at the University of Antioquia in Columba in the summer of 2024. Vega is completing his bachelor’s in entrepreneurial studies.
Prudhomme is chief operations officer of Ink’d Greetings, a GIF and greeting card kiosk company. Prudhomme has helped the company grow from one kiosk to more than 100 in 35 states in a year – including at 20 universities.
Prudhomme supervises the installation and maintenance of each kiosk across the country. She played tennis at GCU and caught the eye of Ink’d co-founder Sammi Ekmark while playing doubles tennis at the Village Health Club.
Prudhomme graduated from GCU in entrepreneurship.
McMiller and Vicary operate their businesses out of Canyon Ventures, GCU’s startup business accelerator directed by Robert Vera.
“Robert has been a great mentor and someone I look up to as an entrepreneur, but more as person,” McMiller said. “Robert also has been a guy that I watch to for the little details. Understanding execution is everything.”
GCU News senior writer Mark Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]
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