Ideate & Explore Grant Recipient – Carter Friese for his venture Acent

“Every Little Bit Helps”: Carter Friese’s Vision for Acent, Making Philanthropy Accessible.
Nestled within the student community at Colby, freshman Carter Friese is breaking the mold with his innovative project, Acent. This initiative is not just a business venture; it’s a mission to democratize philanthropy, making it an inclusive and accessible act for all, regardless of one’s financial standing. Carter’s philosophy is simple: “Whether they’re making 10 million or 10 cent donations, everyone should believe they can change the world.”
Carter, who grew up in Minneapolis in a family that loved volunteering, realized early on that the world of donating was ridden with misconceptions and barriers. This realization sparked the inception of Acent, which aims to empower individuals by turning their everyday transactions into opportunities for charitable giving. Reflecting on his inspiration, Carter shares, “I was thinking about how the Acorns app was popular for its roundup feature, and I thought, why not apply this to philanthropy?”
His research among Colby students revealed a startling truth: a significant majority saw philanthropy as the preserve of the wealthy. “I learned that 65 percent of them believe that donating is really only for wealthy corporations and individuals, which is a huge number,” Friese explains, highlighting the disconnect between potential donors and charitable organizations.
Acent aims to bridge this gap by enabling users to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar and donate the difference to their chosen charities. Additionally, the platform seeks to gamify giving, introducing elements like giving streaks and leaderboards to make philanthropy engaging and competitive, fostering a sense of community and achievement among users. Friese emphasizes the platform’s emphasis on local impact, initially focusing on Maine and New England charities, while aspiring for nationwide reach. “In an ideal world, I would have all 1.5 million charities across the United States on the platform,” he aspires.
The path to developing Acent has been with challenges, particularly around building the necessary technical infrastructure and establishing a network within the entrepreneurial landscape at Colby. However, Carter’s determination shines through as he recounts, “The biggest challenges have been establishing the technical connections… but the Halloran Lab has been very helpful with that.”
Friese’s ambitions for Acent are clear-cut: to finalize a minimum viable product by the start of the summer and embark on extensive market and customer outreach into 2025. But beyond the technical milestones, it’s the journey of discovery and personal growth that stands out to him. “The time flies by, and I feel like I’ve gained so much from these last couple of months,” he says, reflecting on the process.
To his fellow student entrepreneurs, Friese offers a piece of advice: “Don’t let other people tell you it’s not going to work. Know when to pivot, but ultimately, don’t convince yourself that you’re not good enough to do it.” It’s a message of perseverance, innovation, and the belief in one’s ability to affect change, no matter the scale.
Through Acent, Carter Friese is not just aspiring to change the landscape of philanthropy; he is redefining what it means to be a contributor to society. In his own words: “Every microtransaction counts.” It’s a reminder that in the vast ecosystem of giving, no act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
Interview by Joshua Varghese ’25
Updates on Carter since he received the Ideate & Explore Grant:
Carter also received the Compagna-Sennett Iterate & Expand Grant qualifying his venture to competed in the Halloran Lab 40K Venture Showcase Pitch Competition.