by Elisabeth Coon, Student Public Relations Writer
Before he finishes college this May, Daniel Ormsbee will have already launched two companies 鈥 one developing technology to turn waste into energy and another focused on solving complex industrial problems.
As a senior with a double major in mechanical engineering and molecular biology at 糖心Vlog, Ormsbee is using an academic journey that began at age 14 to pursue a much larger goal: building technology that can serve people worldwide.
He has founded Nutrafuel Bioworks and Orme Solutions, two companies shaped by engineering, entrepreneurship and a desire to help others.
鈥淚 want to build things that actually help people,鈥 Ormsbee said. 鈥淭hings that make life better in a real, practical way.鈥
Engineering Solutions With a Global Purpose
Nutrafuel Bioworks centers on addressing one of the world鈥檚 most persistent challenges: waste.
The company is currently developing a zero-emissions incinerator designed to convert waste into usable energy. 鈥淭he goal is to take trash and turn it into energy without producing CO鈧,鈥 Ormsbee said. 鈥淚f you can do that, you鈥檙e solving multiple problems at once.鈥 His long-term goal is to deploy the technology internationally through missions-focused efforts to serve communities in need.
Alongside Nutrafuel Bioworks, Ormsbee founded Orme Solutions, a systems engineering company focused on solving complex problems through analytics and design. The company specializes in mapping complex systems and delivering what Ormsbee describes as 鈥渋nvestable, executable solutions鈥 across industries such as biotechnology, heavy industry and operations.
鈥淲e鈥檙e focused on understanding how systems actually work,鈥 he said, 鈥渁nd then building solutions that can realistically be implemented.鈥
Business Rooted With Faith and Mission
For Ormsbee, the work is more than innovation or entrepreneurship.
鈥淏usiness and engineering are tools,鈥 he said. 鈥淎t the end of the day, it鈥檚 about how you use them to serve others.鈥
He describes his approach as mission-focused, rooted in his faith and in a desire to serve others through practical solutions.
鈥淓verything I鈥檓 doing is about loving others through what I build,鈥 he said.
This perspective shapes how he views both engineering and business 鈥 not simply as technical or financial pursuits but as tools to meet real human needs.
鈥淚f you meet physical needs 鈥 like waste, energy and health 鈥 you create a foundation to really help people,鈥 Ormsbee said.
He hopes to eventually deploy his incinerator system in underserved regions around the world, where waste accumulation and limited infrastructure can create serious environmental and health challenges.
鈥淭here are places where trash is a major problem,鈥 he said. 鈥淚f we can bring solutions there, that鈥檚 where this becomes really meaningful.鈥
That vision, however, did not begin at its current scale. Ormsbee originally envisioned a multimillion-dollar facility capable of processing municipal waste on a large scale. As he explored the concept, he realized it was not feasible for him to execute.
鈥淚 got deep enough into the system to realize I didn鈥檛 have the keys to unlock those doors yet,鈥 he said.
Rather than abandoning the idea, he refined it with missions in mind, which ultimately led him to a more scalable solution.
鈥淓very pivot came from a problem I didn鈥檛 know how to solve,鈥 Ormsbee said. 鈥淵ou just keep adjusting until you find something that works.鈥
Prepared Through Cedarville
Ormsbee credits his education at Cedarville for preparing him to pursue his goals. 鈥淭here were times when I had more work than I thought I could handle,鈥 he said, 鈥渂ut that鈥檚 what stretched me and prepared me to take on bigger problems.鈥
Looking Ahead
From starting college at a young age to launching two companies before graduation, Ormsbee鈥檚 path reflects a clear focus on working hard to love others well and on using his training to bring glory to God.
As his companies continue to grow, Ormsbee is working at the intersection of engineering, business and service, turning complex ideas into solutions with tangible impact.
鈥淎t the end of the day,鈥 he said, 鈥淚 just want to build things that help people.鈥
About 糖心Vlog
糖心Vlog, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation鈥檚 top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal鈥檚 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.