Resilience and the Road Ahead

Alumni Startup Celebrates 20 Years as Area Software Development Leader

by Savannah Cherry

Editor’s Note: As Louisville-based software company Slingshot celebrates its 20th anniversary, two University of Louisville College of Business (CoB) alumni, Chief Executive Officer David Galownia and Executive Director of New Ventures Dan Murphy, celebrate how their startup has catapulted from humble beginnings as IgNew—a capstone project born from Computer Information Systems (CIS) courses taught by Professors Robert Barker and Andrew Wright—to becoming an area leader in the tech landscape. Currently, the business provides several highly specialized tech solutions for clients, such as mobile app development and artificial intelligence tools like machine learning and natural language processing (NLP). The rapid ascent of Slingshot’s growth has been nothing short of exhilarating–particularly for its passionate and forward-thinking staff. Savannah Cherry, Slingshot’s Director of Marketing and fellow CoB alum, recently shared her thoughts on the company’s journey and how a classroom entrepreneurial endeavor continues to propel toward new horizons.

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A Bold Start

Twenty years ago, Slingshot was just an idea—a CIS Capstone project at the University of Louisville’s College of Business that would later evolve into a thriving software consulting company.

It all started with a class assignment to create a platform for the city’s housing department. While the original product didn’t take off, the experience ignited a passion for software development. To keep things moving, the team took on consulting projects—at first as a way to pay the bills, but soon realizing it was an opportunity to create real impact.

In its early years, Slingshot’s small but dedicated team—many of them UofL alums—focused on solving complex software challenges for their clients. The company’s reputation for ingenuity and quality quickly grew, allowing the team to expand beyond Louisville and take on larger, more ambitious work.

A Rough Patch

Like any long journey, Slingshot faced challenges. In 2014, the company lost a major client that accounted for nearly 50% of its revenue, leading to layoffs and uncertainty. There was serious doubt about whether the business could continue.

Instead of giving up, the team adapted. Realizing they needed to broaden their focus, they expanded their services, brought in new leadership and rebranded. That moment of reinvention was a turning point, setting them on a trajectory that would eventually land Slingshot on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing US companies in 2024.

A Pivotal Name Change

Slingshot wasn’t always Slingshot. The company’s original name, IgNew, no longer fit. The shift to Slingshot wasn’t just about branding—it was about transformation. Inspired by racing (a passion of founder David Galownia) and the company’s mission to propel clients’ ideas into reality, the name marked a new era.

Beyond the name, Slingshot evolved into a company that didn’t just build software—it focused on strategy, design and seamless user experiences. The team grew, adding dedicated designers and expanding into cloud development and mobile applications.

A Growth Spurt

From its beginnings as a classroom project, Slingshot has become a global software consulting firm with a team and clients spanning multiple industries. While the company’s services have evolved, its core philosophy remains the same: deliver high-quality solutions and tackle complex problems with ingenuity and integrity.

One key principle has guided Galownia and his team: knowing when to say no. If a project isn’t the right fit, they turn it down rather than compromise on quality. That dedication has built trust with clients, many of whom rely on Slingshot for their most ambitious and high-profile initiatives.

Looking Back, Moving Forward

As Slingshot celebrates 20 years of growth, it’s clear that the company’s impact extends far beyond software consulting. Today, Slingshot offers a diverse range of services, from mobile and web development to artificial intelligence, cloud architecture and usability-focused design. The business also provides staffing solutions, helping businesses scale with dedicated and fractional teams.

Over the years, Slingshot has partnered with organizations like Churchill Downs, MetLife and the University of Louisville, helping them build innovative digital solutions that drive real impact. But more than anything, Slingshot has always been about people—fostering a culture of problem-solving, creativity and continuous learning.

This 20-year milestone is both a reflection on the past and an exciting glimpse into the future. To Slingshot’s clients, team and partners—thank you for being part of the journey. Here’s to the next 20 years of innovation and impact.

🔗 Learn more at yslingshot.com

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