San Antonio, Texas, October 19, 2025
News Summary
The HandiDoor team achieved a significant milestone by winning the Louis H. Stumberg Venture Competition, earning a grand prize of $45,000. Co-founded by Nathaniel Troxel and Xadrian Huerta, their innovative device assists individuals with mobility issues by enabling remote door operation. HandiDoor, inspired by Troxel’s challenges following a car accident, emerged as the audience favorite, marking a successful culmination of the competition’s tenth anniversary. The Stumberg Competition continues to support local entrepreneurs by opening applications for the next round.
San Antonio, Texas – The Louis H. Stumberg Venture Competition culminated in a significant victory for the HandiDoor team, which won a grand prize of $45,000 on October 14, 2023, marking the competition’s tenth anniversary. This year’s prize amount was increased from the usual $25,000 to allow for greater opportunities for participants. HandiDoor not only took home the grand prize but was also voted the “fan favorite” in the competition.
HandiDoor was co-founded by Nathaniel Troxel, a junior finance major, and Xadrian Huerta, a senior business analytics major. Their innovative device is designed to remotely open and close doors, specifically catering to individuals with mobility issues and the elderly, providing much-needed assistance in daily life.
The inspiration behind HandiDoor stemmed from personal experiences faced by Troxel following injuries sustained in a car accident, which hindered his ability to navigate through doors while utilizing mobility aids such as a wheelchair, walker, and cane. This personal connection has driven the project to develop into a collaborative effort involving a team of student software engineers, independent living facilities, and various partner businesses that contributed to its development.
Elevate Systems, a mechanical engineering company based in Texas, played a significant role in assisting the HandiDoor team with production. The team received crucial support from this company, which helped transform their initial prototypes into a viable product.
The Stumberg Competition is an integral part of the San Antonio Startup Week (SASW), an initiative hosted by Geekdom that supports local entrepreneurs and start-ups. Throughout their journey, Troxel expressed appreciation for the mentorship and collaborative spaces provided by Geekdom, which facilitated the development of their project.
In addition to the grand prize, HandiDoor also secured an extra $5,000 from the initial seed round of the competition. Their achievement was further celebrated with a cash prize of $500 for being the audience’s favorite choice during the event.
With excitement surrounding this year’s competition, organizers have announced that applications for the next round of the Stumberg Competition are currently open, allowing future entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase their innovative ideas.
Key Features of HandiDoor
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Device Functionality | Allows remote opening and closing of doors. |
| Target Audience | Individuals with mobility issues and elderly users. |
| Founders | Nathaniel Troxel and Xadrian Huerta. |
| Inspiration | Troxel’s personal experiences with mobility challenges. |
| Collaborators | Student software engineers and Elevate Systems. |
| Awards | $45,000 grand prize and $500 for “fan favorite.” |
Timeline of Events
| Date/Time | Event | Status/Source |
|---|---|---|
| October 14, 2023 | Tenth Annual Louis H. Stumberg Venture Competition | Completed |
| October 14, 2023 | HandiDoor wins $45,000 grand prize | Winner |
| October 14, 2023 | HandiDoor voted as the “fan favorite” | Winner |
| Currently | Applications for the next round of the Stumberg Competition | Open |
What is the Louis H. Stumberg Venture Competition?
The Louis H. Stumberg Venture Competition is an annual event that encourages entrepreneurial innovation, providing a platform for startups to present their ideas and compete for cash prizes.
Who are the founders of HandiDoor?
HandiDoor was co-founded by Nathaniel Troxel and Xadrian Huerta, university students focusing on finance and business analytics, respectively.
What problem does HandiDoor aim to solve?
HandiDoor aims to assist individuals with mobility issues and the elderly by providing a device that enables remote operation of doors, enhancing accessibility in daily life.
What additional funding did HandiDoor receive during the competition?
HandiDoor secured an additional $5,000 from the initial seed round of the competition, along with a $500 cash prize for being the audience’s “fan favorite.”
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Handidoor Wins Louis H Stumberg Venture Competition
Student Teams Compete for $25,000 in Stumberg Venture Competition
Additional Resources
- KSAT News – HandiDoor Startup Article
- Wikipedia: Louis Henry Stumberg
- Trinitonian – Stumberg Competition Winners
- Google Search: HandiDoor Startup
- Dignity Memorial – Louis Stumberg Obituary
- Google Scholar: Louis H. Stumberg
- CBS News – Texan Pioneer Dies
- Encyclopedia Britannica: HandiDoor
- NY Times – Louis Stumberg Article
- Google News: Stumberg Venture Competition
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