Author: hello_waffa

Congratulations to Megan Smyth WG05, Co-Founder at FitReserve, whose company was recently acquired by Trustmark, a national employees benefits provider. FitReserve is a multi-studio fitness subscription that allows members to mix and match in-person, live stream and on-demand workouts from top studios and instructors. Megan says, “We’re excited about the opportunity to expand FitReserve’s capabilities and to be able to extend distribution directly to HealthFitness’ Fortune 500 clients and their nearly 5 million employees, under the Trustmark umbrella.” 

How do you make footwear insoles cool? Leave it to Co-founders Libie Motchan WG21 and Daniel Nelson WG21 who created Fulton’s Insoles – the “world’s most comfortable and supportive insoles”. They’re designed to help cure foot problems that plague people of all ages and are made from sustainable materials.

Can’t wait to shop at Dia – a curated platform established by three Malaysian friends, including Kylie Francis WG18, along with Alia Farouk and Aisha Hassan. They seek to share artisanal brands inspired by Southeast Asia with consumers around the world. The venture curates the products it promotes on its website and tells the stories behind them. 

Brainleap Technologies is a software company that trains attention through gaze-drive video games. Co-founders Leanne Chukoskie C94 and her husband Jeff Coleman W94 have developed the “Attention Arcade”, a gaming platform that helps improve and strengthen focus for children with ADHD.

We’re excited to try some delicious non-alcoholic beverages from Mocktail Club. Founder Pauline Idogho WG10 aims to capture the palates of social drinkers looking for options. These are premium drinks that are fruit-forward and maintain the complexity of traditional adult beverages. Mocktail Club also donates a percentage of sales to providing access to clean water in underdeveloped nations.

Congratulations to the Co-Founders of Parfait – who recently raised $5mm in funding. Isoken Igbenideion WG12, and Simone Kendle WG21 are disrupting the wig industry with the help of facial recognition and artificial intelligence. Read more at AfroTech about the company and this seed round – which included Serena Ventures and Managing Partner Serena Williams.

There is a new film coming out called Below The Belt about endometriosis which focuses on four patients urgently searching for answer to their mysterious symptoms. The London premiere on June 8 is being presented with Parla, and will feature a panel discussion with Parla Founder Lina Chan, WG’09. Parla provides group programs led by experts in psychology, fertility and wellness. To learn more about the film, click here. (The NYC Premiere on 5/24 is sold out!). Executive producers include Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Congratulations to CEO and Co-Founder Amy Errett, WG’88  Madison Reed just announced $33mm in new financing led by Sandbridge Capital. This funding will accelerate their Hair Color Bar Growth, with plans to operate 80 locations by the end of the year. They also plan to hire 850 new colorists who will earn 3x more than in a traditional salon, while receiving full-time benefits. They will also use this round of financing to grow its offerings and expand their product portfolio through new innovations.

Shout out to Samantha Rudolph, W’04, Founder and CEO at Babyation a St. Louis, Missouri-based company that is today launching a brand new solution for breast-pumping mothers. The company is taking a more holistic approach than most, with an all-in-one system focused especially on “stealth”.

We got rave reviews for our Earth Day webinar last week, Reconsidering Sustainbility. If you missed it, you can click and watch here.  Lucy Xu W’13, Founder and CEO of The Port Global and Nicolas Picat Saridaki, Lead Partner at Global Portal believe there is a alternative business model where the two forces of Ecology and Economy can meet to unlock a new way to develop powerful and effective sustainability initiatives.