BECKLEY W.Va. (WVDN) – A student-athlete at West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) was motivated to become an inventor and entrepreneur after helping his father install a mounted television. Manuel Furmento is now Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SkyMounts, Inc. and on his way to seeing his vision come to life.
A native of Uruguay, South America, and a member of the Golden Bears golf team, Furmento has made the time to earn money through internships, gain mentorship from faculty and local resources, and manage his finances wisely to win the West Virginia Hive Network’s 2024 Collegiate Entrepreneur of the Year.
“It was surreal winning that award,” said Furmento. “Being recognized made me feel like all the late nights, risks, and sacrifices were worthwhile. It was more than just a title — it was validation that people believe in the potential of SkyMounts and in me as an entrepreneur.”
Furmento got the idea for SkyMounts in the summer of 2022 as a student. “The idea came when I was helping my father mount a traditional TV in his apartment,” he said. “I pinched one of my fingers during the process, and that moment made me realize — there had to be an easier, less permanent, and safer way to mount a TV. That frustration sparked the idea that became SkyMounts.”
The senior studying Civil Engineering with a minor in Business Management at WVU Tech is in his last semester, and his company is making tremendous progress. Furmento has been on a whirlwind with the following achievements, key milestones, with his reflections on each:
Vantage Ventures Accelerator Program – Helped me connect with entrepreneurs and investors and refine SkyMounts for market readiness.
Semi-finalist at Pitch Southern West Virginia Business Idea and Mountain State Innovators Competition – These experiences sharpened my pitching skills and built resilience.
Two provisional patents filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; utility patent application in progress – Protecting our innovation has been one of the proudest and most critical milestones.
First undergraduate international student at WVU Tech to establish a C-Corp – A historic and personal achievement that proves ambition has no borders.
Finalized SkyMount P2 design – Our next-generation mount, capable of holding 100-inch televisions, is on track for October manufacturing in Huntington.
Second place at WVU Design Expo (Spring 2025) – A recognition of both engineering and entrepreneurial innovation.
Furmento said he was also nominated for the Presidential Award at WVU Tech — not because of GPA, he says, but because of extracurricular and entrepreneurial achievements.
“Our first SkyMount P2 units are being manufactured next month in Huntington, in partnership with Morgan Smith and Elite Edge Designs, with their engineering project manager guiding the process,” said Furmento.
Family is important to Furmento. His brother, Martin, a junior golf athlete at WVU Tech, is his chief financial officer at SkyMounts, Inc. He contends his grandmother, Susana Magariños, and mother, María Luján Magariños, have been tremendous sources of strength and encouragement. “Coming to the United States as an international student has been both exciting and challenging — learning a new culture, a new language, and a completely different way of doing business,” he said. “Their support has been invaluable in helping me stay focused and committed.” His late uncle, Juan Manuel Furmento, was like a father to him and a source of inspiration.
Furmento said the WV Hive has been instrumental in guiding him through the entrepreneurial process. “From mentoring to resources, they’ve helped me refine my pitch, strengthen my business plan, and connect with the right people,” he said. Furmento highlighted the support of Diana Level, Collegiate Project Manager, and Devon Fitzgerald, Business Advisor, for their expert counsel. “Without their support, navigating the early stages of building a startup would have been much harder.”
Fitzgerald noted that “Manuel truly embodies the qualities of an entrepreneur — vision, persistence, and the ability to innovate. Through SkyMounts, he and his team have turned bold ideas into real progress — filing patents, advancing in competitions, and bringing new designs to life.”
Outside of the WV Hive, Furmento cited a few others who have contributed to his business success. “I would like to thank Noah Kapp from Compliance Org; Marvin Woodie, President of Conn & Weld in Bluefield; and Wayne Richards from GR Energy Services, a West Virginia University alumnus, for offering valuable mentorship, whether through business advice, technical insight, or simply believing in my vision.”
After graduation, Furmento plans to take the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and continue his career as an engineer and entrepreneur. “As a student-athlete, I’ve balanced academics, golf, and entrepreneurship,” he said. “Over the past three summers, I’ve completed three internships, saving more than $30,000 of my own money to personally fund SkyMounts. Every step of this journey has been fueled by persistence, sacrifice, and the belief that innovation should make life easier for people.”
