Omnipher

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign – Gies College of Business

Industry: Personal Care Consumer Goods

Founding Student Name(s): Pariyat Aggarwal (Dual major: Marketing and Information Systems at Gies) and Nick Militello (Engineering Mechanics major at The Grainger College of Engineering)

Brief Description of Solution: A credit card sized lip balm container that easily fits into almost any wallet and solves the problem of lost and forgotten lip balm

Funding Dollars: $10,000 from the iVenture accelerator

What led you to launch this venture? Nick was battling the drying effects of an acne medication called Accutane, which left his skin dry, and lips painfully chapped. He found himself constantly searching for his lip balm, a small yet critical comfort. One day, he thought, “What if my lip balm was always with me just like my wallet?” Always keeping his wallet close, Nick saw an opportunity. This realization led him to invent the credit-card-sized lip balm container—an ingenious solution that ensured he, and anyone else, could have soothing relief within arm’s reach, no matter where life took them.

What has been your biggest accomplishment so far with venture? One of our proudest accomplishments so far was making our first sale at the campus quad. For a startup looking to gain traction, converting sales felt monumental. We set up a simple table, crafted a trifold display, scattered some candy, and began selling our 3D-printed prototypes with the promise that buyers would receive a fully manufactured version for free once we launched.

To draw people in, we asked passersby, “Do you want to meet your soulmate with chapped lips?”—a playful question designed to tap into their emotions and create a memorable connection. In just over three hours, we made $70 in sales, which was a big win for us. It signaled that our idea was resonating, and most importantly, that we were gaining traction.

How has your business-related major helped you further this startup venture? My background in business has been helpful in designing this startup. It gave me a good foundation in entrepreneurship, management, and marketing, which enabled me to create an effective company strategy and pinpoint important target markets. Our ability to emotionally connect with potential clients through our messaging was influenced by our coursework in consumer behavior. Furthermore, the ability to manage resources and budget effectively has been crucial for determining the most economical course of action as the business has grown.

Which business class has been most valuable in building your startup and what was the biggest lesson you gained from it? Principles of Marketing (BADM 320) was revolutionary because it provided practical examples and insights into market segmentation and customer needs. What’s the most important lesson learned? Not only theory, but also a customer-focused marketing strategy forms the backbone of effective product development and strategic planning.

What business professor made a significant contribution to your plans and why? Elias Kourpas made a profound impact by teaching us that victory in business comes not from the product itself but from the relentless dedication of the team—the jockey, not the horse. His focus on selling the problem, not just the product, highlighted the importance of addressing real customer needs to drive success.

What founder or entrepreneur inspired you to start your own entrepreneurial journey? How did he or she prove motivational to you? AngelList founder Naval Ravikant was a major influence on my entrepreneurial path. I was inspired to start my own business by his insights into startup funding, personal development, and the importance of creating unique value to earn wealth. Ravikant’s philosophy of thinking broadly and making the most of one’s assets struck a deep chord with me, inspiring me to innovate and take calculated chances as I pursued entrepreneurship.

What is your long-term goal with your startup? Our long-term goal is for Omnipher to become a common, everyday accessory; that is why our tagline says “Everyday essentials, always at hand.” We’d love to see it in retail stores and used regularly by people, whether they’re commuting, at work, or socializing—similar to how lip balm is integrated into daily routines.

How has your local startup ecosystem contributed to your venture’s development and success? The University of Illinois has been pivotal to our venture’s growth, offering a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem with extensive resources. From ideation and mentorship to funding, the support on campus has been invaluable.

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