7th annual MAVS100 honors alumni making an impact

College of Business Assistant Dean Rebecca Neilson opened the 7th annual MAVS100 Celebration at Live! by Loews on May 1 with a reflection on the meaning of entrepreneurship:

“Entrepreneurship is not a job title, it’s a declaration. It’s the choice to build something that didn’t exist yesterday and to believe in a future that others can’t yet see.”

MAVS100 is an annual celebration of entrepreneurs, hosted by the UTA College of Business and designed to honor the 100 fastest growing UTA alumni-owned or led businesses. Nominees are not limited to business majors and are asked to submit top-level information about their business for an independent accounting firm to rank them.

“Today we honor Mav-owned and run businesses that didn’t wait for permission, didn’t wait for perfect conditions and didn't wait for someone else to lead,” Neilson said. “They stepped forward. They grew. They proved what’s possible when vision meets relentless execution.”

College of Business Assistant Dean Rebeca Neilson stands at the podium. Photo by Ellman Photography. 

This year’s top business was Invictus Legacy Builders,led by Executive MBA alum Michael Dailey. Minority and veteran-owned, Invictus Legacy Builders is an operator-grade execution and leadership advisory for growth-stage organizations and leadership teams, helping business owners and leaders overcome challenges and achieve their goals. 

“I’m so proud to be a Maverick. I’m grateful for this recognition, and I’m more motivated than ever to continue building, serving and representing UTA well,” Dailey said as he accepted his award.

Dailey built a 23-year career in the U.S. Army and Air Force before retiring, later earning his EMBA from the College of Business in December 2024. His experience spans operational leadership, strategic planning, and guiding teams through demanding and dynamic environments.

“No one builds anything meaningful alone. Every milestone is shaped by people who encourage you, correct you, open doors for you, and push you when it would be easier just to settle,” Dailey said. “This is why this award means so much to me.”

MAVS100 winner Michael Dailey poses with his award. Photo by Ellman Photography.

Collectively, MAVS100 businesses have generated over $3.1 billion dollars in revenue, with $1.2 billion dollars being produced last year alone. Beyond the rankings and revenue figures, MAVS100 continues to spotlight a broader story of UTA alumni turning ideas into impact.

“MAVS100 is not simply recognizing companies that grew, it’s recognizing our amazing alumni who are building, contributing, creating jobs, serving communities and carry the UTA name into the marketplace with pride,” Dailey said. 

As the evening came toa close over dessert and conversation, the numbers and rankings faded into the background, replaced by a clearer theme: momentum.Each business recognized represented years of risk, persistence, and late-night problem solving that now continues to shape industries far beyond campus.

To see photos from the event, view our Flickr album.

Check out our recap video on Youtube.