Diego Osinaga, Chemical Engr. Founder & CEO

Starting a brand sounds cool, until you’re cold-emailing strangers at 2am, selling drinks out of your trunk, and googling how to write your own contracts. As a Speed School student and immigrant founder, I had no roadmap, just a crazy idea that energy shouldn’t come at the planet’s expense. In this talk, I’ll share how I went from a chemical engineering undergrad to launching ANZA, a purpose-driven energy drink rooted in the Amazon rain forest, built in UofL dorm room, and powered by nature. From navigating the beverage industry with zero connections to breaking into new markets in the Silicon Valley of energy drinks, I’ll Walk through the highs, the setbacks, and the hustle behind the brand. Whether you are thinking of launching your own thing or just curious how a student can start something real and impactful. I won’t give you a 5- step formula, but maybe I will convince you that you don’t need one. The best bet you can do is in yourself.

Diego Osinaga is the founder of ANZA Energy, a purpose- driven energy drink brand created to disrupt the traditional beverage industry with a mission first approach. ANZA was born in Louisville and inspired by Diego’s Amazonian roots, combining energy with impact. Every can contributes to reforestation, animal rescue, and ecological restoration efforts.

At ANZA, Diego leads all aspects of the company, from product development and supply chain logistics to branding, social impact campaigns, and direct community engagement. As a first- generation immigrant and full-time Speed School student, he brings a unique mix of technical insight, entrepreneurial hustle, and cultural representation to his work. His leadership is positioning ANZA organically into the market with a game changer formula promoting a wellness energy drink, while remaining rooted in its environmental and social mission. Diego’s work challenges what it means to build a brand in today’s world, proving that energy can come with purpose.