Raynier Diaz, a senior architecture major, is the owner of Workbench. He started his company to gain practical experience in Building Information Modeling (BIM) and bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application. The Samford Startup Program has provided him with invaluable mentorship, networking opportunities, and a supportive community that has helped him overcome challenges and envision his business as a leader in BIM software development.

I started the company to gain practical experience and hone my skills in BIM (Building Information Modeling), to take on residential projects before graduating, and to aim to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application.

I wanted to join the Samford Startup program to receive mentorship, particularly in business management. I also wanted to gain insights from experienced professionals that could help shape my company's growth.

The program has connected me with like-minded, ambitious students, fostering a collaborative environment where we can share ideas and support each other's entrepreneurial journeys.

The most challenging part has been training and managing people. I overcame this by developing clear training programs and improving my management skills through hands-on experience and feedback.

Being accepted into the program has boosted my confidence and provided me with valuable networking opportunities.

I envision my business becoming a leader in developing BIM software and services. I aim to have our Revit plug-ins—Workhorse, Workvault, and Workvision—widely adopted by users and to collaborate with Autodesk and other BIM providers to enhance our offerings.

Our business embodies humility and a genuine desire to contribute positively to the world, reflecting Christ-like values in our approach to helping others.

I see my company contributing to Birmingham's growth as a tech hub, aligning with the community's goals and ambitions by promoting innovation and technology-driven solutions. I’m looking forward to joining Sloss tech 2025!

I would encourage other student entrepreneurs to join the program to take advantage of the valuable networking and mentorship opportunities that can significantly enhance their entrepreneurial skills and business prospects.