Recent Aquinas Grad Launches New Company
![The Harrison Bertolo Company]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1740676970/aquinasacademyinfo/ddl67tpgxxtin7lppes6/HarrisonBertolo.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1740676970/aquinasacademyinfo/ddl67tpgxxtin7lppes6/HarrisonBertolo.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1740676970/aquinasacademyinfo/ddl67tpgxxtin7lppes6/HarrisonBertolo.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1740676970/aquinasacademyinfo/ddl67tpgxxtin7lppes6/HarrisonBertolo.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1740676970/aquinasacademyinfo/ddl67tpgxxtin7lppes6/HarrisonBertolo.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1740676970/aquinasacademyinfo/ddl67tpgxxtin7lppes6/HarrisonBertolo.jpg","width":2016}])
Harrison Bertolo Company was founded by Aquinas Academy graduate Hunter Harrison (Class of 2023) and Blake Bertolo in their freshman year of college at William & Mary ("WM"). The idea first started from a conversation with Hunter's fellow Aquinas Alumnus, Oliver Flynn. Oliver and Hunter had a dropshipping business they worked on together in high school at Aquinas. Dropshipping is sourcing products from a manufacturer to sell to consumers.
Since then, both Oliver and Hunter decided to move on from the business. Over Christmas break of Freshman year, Oliver asked, “What’s your best idea. I know you have something better than dropshipping.” Hunter shared his idea with Oliver and received encouraging feedback to pursue the venture. Since then, Harrison Bertolo Company ("HB") has begun developing their products.
Hunter University is an app that allows students to learn about entrepreneurship and internet business models for $10 a month. The App also features an integrated Discord community for students to interact with each other. HB is also working on another product, Ventale. Ventale is a Minecraft Bedrock Edition add-on that allows players to simulate what it’s like to run their own business. The game features risk-taking, investing, and exploration to nurture an entrepreneurial mindset.
HB recently hired several W&M student interns, a Chief Financial Officer, and a Chief Innovation Officer, bringing the HB team to over 7 employees. HB hopes to finalize their products within the next few months and anticipates the release of Hunter University in early May. As CEO, Hunter Harrison notes that “the motto of Hunter University is Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat, which translates to Fortune Favors the Bold. This reflects the values of our company and our hope that others will pursue their dreams.”