TAMPA — The USF Nault Center for Entrepreneurship has named Roy Kirchner, CEO of Ultimate 3D Printing Services and Roy Kirchner Consulting, its inaugural Mentor of the Year for 2025.
The accolade recognizes a mentor in the center's Entrepreneur Mentorship Program who has shown exemplary passion for helping USF students navigate their entrepreneurial journeys.
“Roy is successful, dedicated, committed, supportive, generous, resilient and an overall incredible human being,” said Jennifer Sineway, an Entrepreneur in Residence at the Nault Center who oversees the entrepreneur mentorship program.
“The Tampa Bay community is extremely fortunate to have him. Every single person that speaks to Roy steps away impacted by his lively, authentic energy,” she said.
From Serial Entrepreneur to Mentor of the Year
Kirchner is no stranger to accolades. From being named a 2025 Titan 100 honoree, highlighting Tampa Bay’s top 100 CEOs and C-level executives, to a 2022 GrowFL Top 50 Companies to Watch and the 2025 Emerging Leader award from the Bay Area Manufacturers Association, Kirchner continues to expand his shelf of recognitions.
The distinguished Tampa Bay entrepreneur began his career as a top performer in the automotive industry, laying the foundation for a future marked by relentless drive, adaptability and leadership —traits he now passes on to his mentees.
Kirchner founded Ultimate 3D Printing Store in 2015 and, for the past 10 years as CEO, has built a reputation for driving innovation, scaling businesses and staying ahead of emerging technologies. In 2024, he launched Roy Kirchner Consulting and is now recognized as an artificial intelligence subject matter expert. As CEO, he offers coaching to entrepreneurs and organizations with the goal of unlocking potential, increasing resilience and turning bold ideas into real results.
In addition to his extensive career, Kirchner is committed to developing the Tampa Bay community. He serves on two boards: the Bay Area Manufacturers Association, supporting innovation and economic growth throughout Tampa Bay, and the Grow Group, a nonprofit dedicated to creating meaningful employment opportunities for underserved communities.
Kirchner’s legacy project, the Thaddeus M. Bullard Academy at Sligh Middle Magnet School, is a one-of-a-kind educational institution that is changing the lives of Tampa Bay youth through mentorship.
“Every single person that speaks to Roy steps away impacted by his lively, authentic energy," — Jennifer Sineway
A Unicorn Relationship
In the second year of the mentorship program, Kirchner was paired with Enzo Villela, then a sophomore studying finance and accounting.
“It is very unique to meet a 19-year-old who has himself well put together,” Kirchner said.
Their mentorship evolved from strictly business to a personal connection as their bond deepened.
“The biggest thing with Enzo is that ... when I met him, he was all about working,” Kirchner said. “One thing I wanted him to realize is some of the ability to grow is connecting with people. And in order to connect with people, you have to have experiences in life.”
Through their relationship, Villela learned that entrepreneurship goes beyond building a successful business model — personal growth must match business growth.
Villela said one of the biggest lessons Kirchner taught him was that moments matter more than money.
The Entrepreneur Mentorship Program offers an immersive mentorship experience. Students accepted into the program are paired with successful business executives, investors and founders. The program is designed to provide deep, long-term mentorship for students serious about entrepreneurship.
Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year cohort are open through Sept. 21. Interested participants can learn more and apply.