Dr. Angela Zeng, founder of the St. Louis-based wellness beverage company Karviva, is partnering with Saint Louis University (SLU) to create new opportunities for collaboration between academia and local businesses, helping connect student learning with real entrepreneurial challenges.
The initiative brings together SLU’s Emerson Leadership Institute (ELI), the Chaifetz Center for Entrepreneurship (CCE), and Karviva to provide students with direct exposure to the strategic decisions facing a growing company operating in a national market.
Over the past year, Dr. Zeng, an alum of SLU’s School of Medicine, has mentored aspiring entrepreneurs, shared internal company data with graduate student teams for strategic analysis, and worked with faculty members to develop teaching case studies based on real growth decisions facing Karviva.
For students, the collaboration offers a chance to analyze real business questions involving supply chain strategy, pricing models, revenue growth, and market expansion. For faculty members, it creates opportunities to build rigorous case studies rooted in an active St. Louis enterprise competing nationally. For Karviva, the partnership provides structured analysis and fresh perspectives during a period of expansion.
“As a founder, you are constantly making high-stakes decisions,” said Dr. Zeng. “Inviting students and faculty into that process brings valuable perspective, but it also strengthens the local ecosystem. When we develop talent here in St. Louis, we are investing in our shared future.”
The collaboration reflects a broader call from Saint Louis University leadership to strengthen connections between universities and the regional economy. In his January 21 address, “Great Cities, Great Universities: Leading With Hope to Strengthen Our Shared Community,” SLU President Ed Feser encouraged universities to take an active role in shaping regional growth through partnerships with local businesses.
Through programs such as the New Venture Accelerator, SLU Launch, and other experiential learning initiatives, the Chaifetz Center for Entrepreneurship works to embed students directly within the region’s innovation ecosystem.
Dean Jackson Nickerson of the Chaifetz School of Business says these partnerships provide valuable real-world learning.
“Case studies place students inside consequential decisions,” Nickerson said. “When those cases are developed in partnership with local companies, the learning becomes immediate, and the benefits extend into the community.”
The partnership also contributes to academic scholarship by allowing faculty members to develop case studies based on real companies operating in St. Louis. These cases can then be shared within national academic networks, helping highlight regional innovation.
Dr. Jintong Tang, who leads both the Chaifetz Center for Entrepreneurship and the Emerson Leadership Institute, believes the model could expand across industries.
“When local businesses trust us with real strategic challenges, students learn at a higher level, faculty produce more relevant scholarship, and companies benefit from thoughtful, data-informed analysis,” Tang said. “The next step is to make this kind of collaboration part of the fabric of St. Louis’ economic infrastructure.”
The collaboration will culminate on April 24 with a Case Study Symposium sponsored by SLU’s Office of the Vice President for Research and co-organized by the Emerson Leadership Institute and the Chaifetz Center for Entrepreneurship. The event will feature faculty-developed cases, student insights, and perspectives from industry leaders, highlighting the potential for university-business partnerships to strengthen regional economic development.
Local entrepreneurs, small business owners, faculty members, and students are encouraged to explore how similar collaborations can be developed across industries to support innovation and long-term economic growth in St. Louis.
About Karviva
Karviva is a St. Louis–based wellness beverage company founded by Dr. Angela Zeng. The company develops plant-based functional drinks designed to support hydration, energy, and overall well-being. By combining modern nutritional science with principles inspired by traditional wellness practices, Karviva focuses on clean ingredients and thoughtful formulations while expanding its presence through retail and national partnerships. For more information, visit karviva.com.
Media Contact
Dr. Angela Zeng
angela@karviva.com
