CYstarters Spotlight: A 14-part series highlighting student entrepreneurs pursuing their business ventures as part of the CYstarters 2025 summer cohort. Through this program, students have the unique opportunity to prioritize the development of their own startup or business idea. Each individual receives $6,500 and access to resources such as mentorship, networking opportunities, and educational sessions on entrepreneurship and business startup.

Redefining the Smokeless Fire Pit Experience with Heat Halo

Nathan Van Thomme is proving that when creativity meets curiosity, something incredible can spark.

Heading into his junior year studying mechanical engineering at Iowa State University, Nathan is the inventor and founder behind Heat Halo, a stainless steel attachment that solves one of the most common complaints of smokeless fire pits: they don’t keep you warm. His mission? To bring back the cozy, ambient warmth people expect when gathering around a fire, without sacrificing the modern benefits of a smokeless setup.

Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and raised in Iowa from the fifth grade on, Nathan has always had a knack for problem-solving. Engineering came naturally, but something was missing. “I wanted a creative outlet. That’s when I really decided, hey, I want to do my own thing. So I decided to start doing something entrepreneurial on the side,” said Nathan.

With entrepreneurship in his blood—his mom an artist, his dad a patent lawyer—Nathan grew up around creativity and the business side of bold ideas. His earliest experience? Selling handmade crafts online with his mom. His latest? A fire pit attachment that could reshape a growing outdoor lifestyle market.

The idea for Heat Halo was sparked during time spent with his outdoorsy family on a cool evening. “We had this new smokeless fire pit. It was a late October night but we were all still cold,” he laughed. It wasn’t just them. After scouring Amazon reviews and online forums, Nathan discovered that many other customers had the same complaint: smokeless fire pits lacked the ambient heat that brings people together.

So he got to work in his garage. Armed with a few sheets of stainless steel from Home Depot and fueled by trial and error, Nathan built three versions of a fire pit attachment that could redirect heat laterally. “I just really enjoy creating things,” he said. “Seeing the different stages of production and seeing the progress is very satisfying to me.”

Initial Heat Halo prototype.

What resulted is the current Heat Halo design, a sleek, durable ring that sits atop popular smokeless fire pit brands like Solo Stove and Breeo, dispersing heat outward to recreate the warmth—and the experience—of a traditional fire.

“What I’m really selling is an experience,” Nathan emphasized. Nathan grew up with a huge family that loved to camp. “Later in the evenings on those camping trips, we would all gather around the fire pit and share stories, and that was a huge bonding experience for me.” Now he is trying to recreate that experience for others.

Thanks to support from the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship, Nathan has pitched his idea at events like the Fall Startup Pitch Competition and the College-by-College Pitch Off. He also secured a patent on the first try, validating his idea before it even hit the market. “That was huge for me,” he said. “Maybe 5% of patents get approved that quickly.”

Nathan Van Thomme receiving an Honorable Mention award after pitching Heat Halo at the 2024 Fall Startup Pitch Competition.

Now participating in the 2025 CYstarters cohort, Nathan is taking his business to the next level. He’s finalizing his prototype, has already worked with fellow CYstarter Kailey Stevens (Branded K Studio) on a rebrand, and recently launched his website, www.myheathalo.com. His goal? To have Heat Halo available for purchase by Demo Day on July 31.

But it hasn’t all been seamless. “The biggest challenge has been manufacturing. I’m learning that big manufacturers don’t really want to take a risk on someone without a revenue history,” he explained. He’s also tackling marketing—an area he admits isn’t second nature to him as an engineer. “That’s where CYstarters has been incredible. I’ve learned that most people don’t care how the product works—they care about how it makes them feel.”

One of Nathan’s favorite parts of CYstarters? The community. “There’s been so much camaraderie,” he said. “People from completely different majors and backgrounds are helping each other. Kailey from Bolded K Studio helped design my logo. Colin from Outwitt Creations gave me a neon sign of my new logo. The software guys helped me get my site up and running. It’s incredible.”

Even beyond design and tech, Nathan’s been able to share what he knows—especially around intellectual property and patents. “I’ve learned that I know a decent amount about law and IP, shoutout to my Dad for his expertise. I have a lot to add in conversations around those topics, and I’m able to help along some of the other CYstarters with that process.”

The support and collaboration have shown Nathan just how much entrepreneurship thrives on connection. “I’ve learned that I’m pretty good at talking to people,” he said. “As an engineer, people assume you’re not, but I’ve found that conversations—whether it’s customer discovery or just bouncing ideas around—are a huge part of running a business.”

That’s also the first piece of advice he’d offer to anyone thinking about launching an idea: start with a conversation.
“It can be really scary to talk to people and have your idea criticized. But some other people might come out and say, I love that idea. That idea is awesome!” Nathan has found that making connections and exposing people to your idea is hugely important in entrepreneurship.

With preorders lined up, a patent secured, and momentum building, Nathan is closing in on his summer goal: turning Heat Halo into a ready-to-sell product by Demo Day.

So whether you’re a backyard fire pit enthusiast, a fan of outdoor gatherings, or just someone who appreciates smart design with a story, keep your eye on Heat Halo.

Follow along at @heat_halo on Instagram, pre-order you own Heat Halo at www.myheathalo.com, and don’t miss your chance to see Nathan, and all the incredible student ventures, at the 2025 CYstarters Demo Day on July 31.

Register to attend: 2025 CYstarters Demo Day | ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship

Check out our video interview with Nathan Van Thomme below!