Latest news with #Momentous
Entrepreneur
15-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Former NFL Lineman Turned Entrepreneur Helps Feed Island
After nearly burning out trying to grow his company, Jeff Byers reconnected with his core mission. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Jeff Byers has spent most of his life surrounded by elite athletes. As an All-American at USC and later as an NFL lineman, he trained alongside some of the best in the world. And when he co-founded Momentous—a science-backed supplement brand used by pro teams and the U.S. military—his mission was to give people the tools to perform at their peak. But even Byers was blown away by what he saw in Hawaii. On the latest episode of One Day with Jon Bier, Byers recounts his visit to Maui Nui Venison, a company that humanely harvests invasive axis deer to restore native ecosystems and feed the local community. He joined the crew for one of their overnight harvests and watched as they carried 140-pound animals down steep volcanic slopes in the dark—again and again. "These guys are absolute machines," he says. "What they do is physically and mentally harder than anything I saw in pro sports." And they were using his product, Fuel, to get through it. Related: A Deer Invasion in Hawaii Has Turned Into an Environmental Crisis—And a Sustainable Business Opportunity Performance with purpose Fuel is Momentous' endurance supplement, developed for workouts lasting over an hour. It's 3:1 carb ratio provides steady energy with fewer spikes or GI issues—something that appealed directly to the Maui Nui crew, who endure loads of brutal physical exertion. Byers left that trip with a new sense of purpose. "We started this company to support high performance," he says. "But this was about something more." He partnered with Maui Nui to create a tropical-inspired flavor of Fuel, Passionfruit Orange Guava. For every pack sold, $10 goes to the Holo 'Ai program, which distributes wild-harvested venison to families across the island. The goal is to raise $200,000, enough to provide a meal for every resident on Maui. "It's not just a collab," Byers says. "It's a commitment." From the NFL to nutrition Byers' journey to building Momentous wasn't ripped from a playbook. After leaving the NFL, he went into finance before co-founding the biotech startup behind PR Lotion. That venture eventually merged with Momentous in 2021, and the newly combined company took off. But growth came with pain, sometimes worse than what he experienced on the field. The merger nearly broke him. "That was one of the darkest times of my life," he says on the podcast. "I was working 80 hours a week, burned out, trying to hold everything together—and failing at it." He had to rebuild not just the company, but himself. "I realized I was never taught how to lead people at this scale," he says. "I had to change. I had to become the kind of leader the company needed—or let it fall apart." That meant making decisions that hurt in the short term. He pulled top-selling products when the clinical data didn't hold up. He scrapped an entire production run of a nootropic when purity tests missed the mark. This cost Momentous time and money, but ultimately paid off. "We're not chasing trends," Byers explains. "We're chasing trust. That's harder, but it lasts." Today, Momentous products are used by every NFL team, hundreds of collegiate programs, Olympians, and even NASA. The company has landed on the Inc. 5000 list two years in a row. But Byers says success isn't about the metrics—it's about the mission. And that mission came into sharp focus during his visit to Maui Nui Venison. "You don't leave Maui Nui unchanged," he says. "They're feeding people, healing an ecosystem, and doing it all with purpose and grit. It reminded me that performance isn't about the spotlight—it's about showing up for what matters, even when it's hard." Related: The Supplement Business Has a Trust Problem. This Tech Startup Wants to Fix That.
USA Today
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
For South Korea-based CJ, the PGA Tour is perfect way to introduce America to ‘K-Culture'
For South Korea-based CJ, the PGA Tour is perfect way to introduce America to 'K-Culture' There is no shortage of great theater on the PGA Tour from week to week. Whether it's the 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale, the 17th at TPC Sawgrass, The Bear Trap at PGA National, or The Snake Pit at Innisbrook, the first half of the PGA Tour season is filled with must-watch moments. You can add the par-3 17th hole at THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson May 1-4 at TPC Craig Ranch to that list. The 17th is better known to locals as 'The Ranch' in tribute to Nelson, who retired early from tournament golf and settled on his ranch near Dallas. It promises to be one of the most raucous, exciting holes on Tour this season, not just because of the stadium setting or the fact that it's the penultimate hole. The short-iron tee shot brings the very real possibility of a hole-in-one. In fact, it wouldn't be a stretch to say that South Korea-based CJ is rooting for a historic ace, and with that, the opportunity for the renowned chefs from bibigo, the company's food affiliate, to showcase their skills with $40,000 in catered Korean food. Even birdies will pay dividends for the Momentous Institute, the nonprofit that has been the longtime beneficiary of the tournament and its host, the Salesmanship Club of Dallas. For each birdie on the 17th, CJ will donate $1,000 to Momentous, which supports children and families struggling with mental health issues. That program netted $76,000 for Momentous in 2024. Over the years, the tournament has raised $190 million for Momentous, and CJ, now in the second year of a 10-year title sponsorship, is committed to continuing that tradition. The tournament dates back a century, to 1926, when it originally was known as the Dallas Open before taking on the name of Nelson, a Texas icon, in 1968. CJ still honors Nelson and his legacy during the tournament, most notably with signage along the 15th hole that reminds attendees of his accomplishments. It's a win-win for the tournament and the title sponsor. CJ is an international conglomerate whose product lines range from food and drink to logistics, from beauty products to entertainment, including the Academy Award-winning movie 'Parasite.' While its products have a global following, the company is leaning into sports as a vehicle to raise awareness for its brands in the U.S. market. NBA fans know of CJ and its brands through its sponsorship of the Los Angeles Lakers. Similarly, THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson offered the company a unique opportunity to showcase the breadth of its product lines in one of America's fastest-growing cities while celebrating one of golf's most beloved figures. Yoosang Kim, executive director of sports marketing at CJ Corporation, said that 'Korean tradition is well feeding the guests with a warm welcome.' Building off its first year as title sponsor, the company will have 17 chefs onsite, creating what Kim believes is the 'best player dining experience' on Tour. 'Organically, this became a huge thing at the PGA Tour and everyone raved about the food experience at THE CJ CUP, including players, agents, PGA Tour staff and players' families,' Kim said. It's difficult to overstate the breadth of CJ's products, particularly its food and beverage lineup. The bibigo brand of ready-to-eat meals and snacks is a staple in grocery aisles across America and will be featured at three concession stands during tournament week. Elsewhere, the company's Tous Les Jours frozen lemonade will be available at five locations around the golf course. The company will showcase its portfolio of products at the 'House of CJ,' a villa located along the 18th fairway where, Kim said, the company aims 'to organically submerge the fans into K-Culture.' The House of CJ will go well beyond food offerings. It will include an Olive Young powder room showcasing Korean cosmetic products, a bar at the center of the villa serving traditional Korean spirits, K-pop serenading visitors, and an immersive, 270-degree cinematic experience. 'Honestly, it's a perfect way to promote our company and brands,' Kim said. CJ continues to show its sincerity and enthusiasm for golf. CJ has been supporting young golfers for over 20 years, and its ambassadors have accounted for 11 PGA Tour victories. CJ also provides opportunities to young golfers such as Kris Kim, who became the youngest player to make the cut at the tournament, breaking Jordan Spieth's previous record. As CJ continues to bridge cultures through sports, food and entertainment, THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson has become more than just a golf tournament – it's a vibrant stage where the company's values, vision and the essence of K-Culture come to life.
Associated Press
21-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Rice announces historic enrollment growth, expanding access and free tuition
With a commitment to surpassing $1.5B in financial aid in next 5 years, strategic expansion focuses on opportunity, academic excellence HOUSTON, April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Rice University Board of Trustees has approved an ambitious plan to increase access to a Rice education by growing the university's student body by fall 2028, marking an unprecedented growth trajectory that began earlier this decade. The expansion is part of Rice's commitment to access and is aligned with a strategic vision to solidify its position as a global leader in both teaching and research. Rice, consistently ranked among the top 20 colleges in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, has increased its incoming class size from approximately 1,000 freshman and transfer students (2016-2020) to about 1,300 this year. The university continues to experience record demand, receiving over 36,700 applications for the 1,300 spots — a 13% increase from last year. The increased access also expands opportunities for financial aid through The Rice Investment, the university's free tuition program launched in 2019, funded in part by the university's endowment. With its planned growth in enrollment and its commitment to offering free tuition and loan-free financial aid, Rice will surpass $1.5 billion in financial aid in the next five years since the program's inception. The university has already provided more than $650 million in grant aid — 54% more than in the previous five years. Five years ago, Rice's undergraduate population was around 4,000 with a goal to grow to 4,800 undergraduates. The university is extending its growth to approximately 5,200 undergraduate students by 2028, which will amount to a 30% increase since 2020. The current graduate population of 4,100 is also set for significant growth, coupled with the growth in faculty. At the conclusion of this growth period, the university projects it will enroll approximately 9,500 students. 'This planned pace of our growth makes Rice one of the most ambitious and fastest-growing institutions in the country among our private peers,' Rice President Reginald DesRoches said. 'As we expand access, we are committed to preserving what makes Rice special — the culture of care, a commitment to excellence, low student-to-faculty ratio and our close-knit community — while adapting to the evolving landscape of higher education and society. Striking the right balance between these core values and our global ambitions is a constant focus, ensuring Rice continues to thrive and have a meaningful impact in our community and on the world.' In October, the university introduced its new strategic plan, Momentous, focused on providing exceptional, personalized education that drives global impact. With its growth plans in place, Rice remains committed to preserving its low student-to-faculty ratio, which stands at 6-to-1. The university hired a record 97 new faculty members in 2024 and plans to continue expanding its faculty in the years ahead. Two residential halls are currently under expansion and construction to support student growth with a planned total of 12 residential colleges. Interest in Rice has reached an all-time high, driven partly by The Rice Investment, which offers full-tuition scholarships to students from families earning under $140,000, and at least half-tuition for those earning between $140,000 and $200,000. Students from families earning less than $75,000 receive full coverage for tuition, fees and living expenses. 'Our growth is not only outpacing other private institutions, but our location in Houston — home to the third most Fortune 500 companies in the nation— gives us a distinct competitive edge,' said Yvonne Romero, vice president for enrollment and dean of admissions and financial aid. 'Located in the energy capital of the world and just steps from the Texas Medical Center, Rice offers unparalleled opportunities for collaboration and access. This unique positioning makes the university an increasingly attractive destination for students who want to be at the intersection of innovation, research and impact.' Rice's growth plan includes expanding its graduate programs, which have already grown 18% since 2020. Graduate applications are at record highs, with U.S. doctoral applications up 21% over last year. The university offers 22 graduate programs ranked in the top 25 by U.S. News & World Report. To support this expansion, and to promote entrepreneurship and better connect with the business community, new graduate housing is being planned in the Ion District, Rice's innovation district located in midtown Houston. 'Rice is providing leadership for the region with larger and more impactful doctoral and professional graduate programs,' said Seiichi Matsuda, dean of graduate and postdoctoral studies. 'As our students pursue scholarship and develop expertise, they advance their careers and drive development across key industries including AI and computing, energy, innovations in health, technology and beyond. Their collaborations with local companies and research institutions contribute directly to the city's economic growth, strengthening Houston's position as a global hub for innovation and opportunity.' Rice is expanding with several other additions, including Cannady Hall for Architecture, the Ralph S. O'Connor Building for Engineering and Science, the redesigned Academic Quadrangle and ongoing construction of a new state-of-the-art business school building and Susan and Fayez Sarofim Hall, a new home for arts education. Rice will also break ground in early May on a new student center complex, the Moody Center Complex for Student Life. This news release can be found online at Follow Rice News and Media Relations on X @RiceUNews. About Rice University Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of architecture, business, continuing studies, engineering and computing, humanities, music, natural sciences and social sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. Internationally, the university maintains the Rice Global Paris Center, a hub for innovative collaboration, research and inspired teaching located in the heart of Paris, and Rice Global India in Bengaluru. With 4,776 undergraduates and 4,104 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is just under 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for lots of race/class interaction and No. 7 for best-run colleges by the Princeton Review. Click here to download Rice photos/video View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Rice University
