Mechanical engineering graduate Trey Buck’s entrepreneurial passions are clearly coming into focus, like the artificial intelligence-powered photographs that his startup is addressing for a growing number of professional organizations and groups across the country. It’s the latest role in a career journey shaped by curiosity, adaptability, leadership, and the problem-solving mindset – elements instilled in classrooms, design laboratories, and athletic fields on campus.

"Engineering teaches you to break down complex problems into solvable components," reflected Buck, a 2008 alumnus. "At Rose-Hulman, I learned not just the technical skills, but more importantly, how to approach challenges systematically."

This foundation has proved to be crucial throughout his rewarding career, though not always in ways he expected.

Buck has spent the past year and a half as chief operating officer of popcam, an innovative startup. The Carmel, Indiana-based company’s AI-powered camera kiosks are addressing a significant pain point in corporate photography: providing professional-quality, brandable headshots for a variety of groups. The firm’s technology is producing personalized images for identification cards at organizational conferences and corporate gatherings, for college job fairs and special events, and for school yearbooks – to name just a few of the many options.

"We're not just making photography easier – we're fundamentally changing how organizations think about professional imaging. We’re tapping into a marketplace with endless potential and opportunities. It has been exciting to develop creative solutions through AI technology that’s expanding every day," Buck says. The solution can handle groups from 10 to 10,000+ participants, delivering instant results while maintaining consistent quality. 

His initial interest came as an investor in the first year of the startup, through his Gravity Ventures, a venture started in 2018 to provide capital entity for entrepreneurial entities in central Indiana. Buck realized that his keen eye for developing innovative solutions along with technical knowledge, product management experience, and entrepreneurial vision could further help popcam prosper – and enhance his investment. 

Buck’s investment portfolio reads like a who's who of emerging tech companies in the Indianapolis ecosystem, including such successful ventures as Woven, Membershine, Yourco, and Powderkeg. Each investment reflects his commitment to supporting technological innovation and entrepreneurship in the community.

"Success in technology entrepreneurship isn't just about having good ideas," Buck advises current students and young alumni. "It's about having the right framework to evaluate opportunities, the skills to execute effectively, and the persistence to keep going when challenges arise. That's what Rose-Hulman helped me develop."

At Rose-Hulman, Buck learned the way systems work, how variables impact a system, and how to evaluate and implement the processes that make effective systems successful. He was a member of the Entrepreneurship Club and was a lead mechanical engineering intern at Rose-Hulman Ventures, a product design, rapid prototyping, and development firm on campus that addresses the needs of real-world clients.

With this strong background and his Rose-Hulman degree, Buck was selected for the prestigious Orr Fellowship, an early career development program for versatile high-achievers and future-focused businesses in Indiana to develop the next generation of entrepreneurs in Indiana. The fellowship marked his first step toward entrepreneurship, providing exposure to high-growth businesses and a network of ambitious peers that has accelerated his career.

A pivotal chapter in Buck's career began at Blackboard, where he spent nearly seven years rising through the ranks of product management. Starting as a product development analyst, he eventually became a senior product manager, overseeing the company's flagship product, Blackboard Learn. 

During his tenure, Buck managed multiple products that shaped digital education: SafeAssign, a cloud-based solution for academic integrity; xpLor, a content management and distribution platform; and various mobile applications that brought learning to students' devices. This experience proved invaluable, teaching him how to scale technology solutions and manage complex product ecosystems. 

"Working at Blackboard taught me how to translate technical capabilities into user value," Buck explained. "It's not just about what technology can do – it's about how it can solve real problems for real people."

Beyond his current role at popcam, Buck remains deeply engaged in the Indianapolis business community. As an Orr Fellows graduate and board member of the CFA Society Indianapolis, he is helping shape the future of financial professionalism within the central Indiana region. His continued involvement in multiple ventures as an investor demonstrates his commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. He also enthusiastically encourages current and future Rose-Hulman students to consider opportunities as Orr Fellows.

Looking back, Buck credits much of his success to his Rose-Hulman education. "The technical rigor at Rose-Hulman is well-known, but what's equally valuable is how it teaches you to learn and adapt," reflects the mechanical engineering graduate. "In technology and entrepreneurship, the ability to quickly understand and adapt to new challenges is crucial." 

His career path exemplifies the versatility of a Rose-Hulman education. Out of the classroom, Buck earned all-region and all-conference honors as a goalie for the varsity men’s soccer team, serving as its captain during his senior season. He also was a member of the Triangle fraternity and American Society of Mechanical Engineers student chapter. 

"The problem-solving mindset I developed at Rose-Hulman has been crucial throughout my career. The ability to learn business principles and work on projects at Rose-Hulman Ventures, with some of the brightest and hard-working students in the country, was a great fit for me. I’m so grateful for that entire experience,” he noted. "Whether it's developing new products, evaluating investment opportunities, or scaling a business, the systematic approach I learned as an engineering student continues to guide my decision-making."

Buck's story exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit fostered at Rose-Hulman, showing how technical expertise combined with business acumen can lead to innovative solutions that address real-world challenges. His success serves as an inspiration to current students and fellow alumni, demonstrating the diverse career paths possible with a Rose-Hulman education.