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Jiri Zeman’s (CE, M.Eng. CEM ’23, M.S. TENT ’25) startup is growing, in more ways than one.

As an undergraduate engineering student at ������̳, Zeman read an article about hydroponics—growing plants in nutrient-rich water, without soil—and was fascinated. So fascinated that within a few months he was on his way to founding , a startup that sells hydroponic systems and supplies for residential and commercial use.

“Our mission is to empower people and businesses to grow fresh, organic produce—from microgreens and herbs to vegetables, fruits, and flowers—right from the comfort of their homes or on-site at their businesses,” he says. “By bridging the gap between technology and sustainable food production, we enable customers to reduce dependency on grocery stores and traditional supply chains while helping them to start a journey towards a healthy lifestyle.”

Zeman began to build his skills as an entrepreneur at ������̳’s Ed Kaplan Family Institute for Innovation and Tech Entrepreneurship. “Programs such as [Kaplan’s] Startup Studio and Accelerator during my undergraduate studies were really good guides, providing me with valuable exposure to the entrepreneurial journey from the idea stage all the way to generating revenue,” he says.

To ramp up his business expertise, he enrolled in the master’s program in technological entrepreneurship at Stuart School of Business, which immerses students in a multi-faceted curriculum, including a hands-on capstone project, and leverages resources in Chicago’s dynamic startup ecosystem.

“Stuart’s tech entrepreneurship program has been instrumental in advancing Aquager’s mission by equipping me with strategic business skills and connecting me with a community of mentors and like-minded innovators,” says Zeman.

“Courses such as Introduction to Design Thinking, Strategy and Innovation, Capstone, Analytics for Decision Making, and Microeconomics and Game Theory have been absolutely fundamental to what I do at Aquager daily, and have given me the tools to refine market strategy and effectively position the brand,” he notes. “Often, I would be working on a homework assignment and simultaneously applying those concepts to my startup because the coursework is so practical and relevant.”

A little more than three years since Zeman first nurtured the seed of an idea for his business, Aquager is flourishing. The company reached a milestone in late 2024 by beginning mass production of the patented Aquager Home Farm and Storage Unit. The global hydroponics market is projected to grow at around a 10 percent compound annual growth rate, says Zeman, and his sights are set on scaling up the business.

“We’re actively exploring partnerships with restaurants, cafes, offices, and other businesses interested in on-site produce growth to help them promote healthy lifestyles and reduce costs and carbon footprints,” he says. “Expanding our product line is also on the horizon, with innovations designed specifically for urban environments where access to fresh produce can be limited. By making hydroponic systems both accessible and adaptable, I hope to contribute to a larger movement toward food independence and sustainability while democratizing affordable healthy lifestyles for everybody.”