Founder Spotlight: Thomas Lentine
When Thomas first stepped into the entrepreneurial arena, he admits he wasn't quite ready or fully committed. But since then, his transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. Through relentless coachability and a genuine desire to grow, Thomas has evolved so much in such a short period and is consistently pushing himself to new heights.
Whether we're sharing laughs at the BIC around the community table or pounding the pavement together during Founders & Funders jog/run events, Thomas's energy and dedication are contagious. He's always striving to better himself and support those around him, embodying the true spirit of an entrepreneur.
I know you’ll be inspired by and relate to this founder feature!
What is your story?
Entrepreneurship was always part of my future plans, although I initially imagined it would come after a career in medicine. Growing up in New Jersey, I was surrounded by entrepreneurial influence. My father played business podcasts during car rides instead of music, my grandfather built successful enterprises despite never graduating high school, and my mother ran her own antique store. Still, ever since second grade, I had been laser-focused on becoming a doctor. I followed the prescribed path: pre-med courses, lab work, and clinical exposure. But the deeper I went, the more disconnected I felt from that journey. I had spent so much time focused on this one goal that I never stopped to ask myself if it was what I truly wanted.
Unsure of my next move, I channeled my energy into leading my fraternity. As president, I oversaw a $120,000 budget and handled the daily complexities of running a large organization. It was an intense, all-consuming role that showed me how much I loved solving operational and organizational challenges.
One of my biggest takeaways from that experience was how important structured organization is, especially for students juggling multiple responsibilities. That led to an idea. I created a spreadsheet to track my schedule and habits, turning it into a game where I earned points for tasks like working out and journaling. It kept me accountable and helped me stay balanced. Soon, friends wanted their own versions, and before long, I was selling customized planners—my first real step into entrepreneurship.
As the impact of my spreadsheet system grew, I knew it could be more than just a personal tool, it had the potential to become a full platform. To make that leap, I needed structure and guidance, which led me to the Boyd Innovation Center. Their pre-accelerator program gave me the resources to refine my vision and transform UpAhead from a basic manual system into a scalable tech product.
What is your biggest win as of late?
The biggest win has been officially launching UpAhead as a full platform! What started as a simple spreadsheet is now a scalable tool that’s helping students stay organized and manage their coursework more effectively. Seeing UpAhead adopted by students across multiple universities and hearing firsthand from users how it’s helping them stay organized and reduce stress has been incredibly rewarding.
How do you #GiveFirst to the BIC community?
The Boyd Innovation Center gave me the structure and support I needed to grow as a founder, and I try to do the same for other people starting their entrepreneurial journeys. I openly share both my wins and mistakes because I want others to see that starting a business is possible for them too. I know firsthand how easy it is to get in your own way, and if my experiences can help someone push past their doubts and take action, then sharing them is worth it.
Also, one of the most important lessons I share is the value of testing an idea before fully committing to building it. When I started UpAhead, I focused on pre-sales, pitching to fraternities and sororities before the platform even existed. Getting 45 people to pay for something that wasn’t built yet was the validation I needed to move forward. I try to help other founders understand that securing interest early can save them time, money, and frustration down the road.
Share a core memory from an experience at the BIC.
Pitch Night at the Boyd Innovation Center was a surreal experience. I stood in front of a packed room, unsure how my idea would be received. I was the only person in the program who had already generated revenue, yet I still doubted whether UpAhead was a 'real' startup. After my pitch, two physical therapists approached me, excited about the potential of UpAhead for their clients. Despite being excited by their interest, I hesitated to follow up because my doubt crept in about whether I was ready to take that leap. Looking back, it was a pivotal moment that pushed me to take UpAhead more seriously and step fully into entrepreneurship.
What is your biggest challenge right now?
One of my challenges has been learning to step back. I never thought not working would be an issue, but when you’re constantly putting in 80-hour weeks, burnout becomes a real risk. I’m actively working on setting boundaries, making time for exercise, and learning to disconnect when needed.
I'd also say finding a co-founder has been a challenge. I know I can’t build UpAhead alone and want to find someone who believes in the vision as much as I do, someone else ready to make it their top priority.
Are you also concerned about burnout? Check out Andy Kottage’s blog "Understanding and Overcoming Burnout as a Founder"
Where are you finding success?
One of the most rewarding aspects of building UpAhead has been hearing directly from students about how it’s helping them stay organized and reduce stress. Their feedback drives every update and new feature, making sure we’re creating something that truly meets their needs.
I’ve also found success in sharing my journey through content creation. In the past I was hesitant to put myself out there, but I’ve always enjoyed making content. But now, being able to document my experience and use it to help my business has been incredibly fulfilling. It’s allowed me to connect with other founders, investors, and potential users while also reflecting on my own growth.
What are you excited about?
I’m excited to continue growing UpAhead through expanding our reach, improving the platform, and making it even more intuitive for students. There are so many ways we can improve the student experience, and I can’t wait to keep refining the product based on real user feedback.
On a personal level, I’m looking forward to what’s next in my entrepreneurial journey. Every day, I’m learning something new, whether it’s about product development, leadership, or marketing. The process itself is just as exciting as the destination, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Thomas Lentine recently graduated from the University of South Carolina (USC) with a Master’s in Human Resources. While in undergrad at USC, he created complex spreadsheets to keep track of his coursework—something that quickly spread among friends and fraternity brothers. That experience sparked the idea for UpAhead, a platform designed to help students stay organized by turning their syllabi into a clear plan for the semester. Originally from New Jersey, Thomas loves to travel, read, exercise and meet new people.
