Matt Czarnecki and André Monteiro are juniors in Davenport College, who have been suitemates since freshman year. They’re both active parts of the DPort Community, especially as André has been named the newest Dive Manager this past semester.

But they’re more than just students and Gnomes, they’re entrepreneurs:

We started Verb Energy a year and a half ago, and it has been an incredible journey. Verb makes energy bars with a cup of coffee worth of caffeine, but the caffeine comes from organic green tea for longer-lasting energy. We started making energy bars in a local bakery, giving out free samples to Yale students in Bass during exams. We sold bars this fall on Yale’s campus, and we realized we were onto something when our customers were having Verb Bars every single day, sometimes multiple times per day! We now are so excited to be launching at Yale, at thirteen other college campuses, and in stores after March break. Two other Yalies, Bennett Byerley SY ’19and Isaac Morrier BR’17, are part of the team. Though it has been challenging to balance with academics as full-time students, it’s been a blast and we’re excited for what the future holds. Check us out at verbenergybar.com!