Honeydew

Origin: New York, NY |

Grant Awarded: 2023 | Status: Active

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What is Honeydew?

Honeydew is a virtual dermatology platform integrating healthcare services and wellness for people suffering from chronic skin conditions like acne, atopic dermatitis, plaque psoriasis, and others. We connect patients with licensed specialists in 24 hours instead of 4 months, help them access FDA-approved treatments from home with ongoing support 7 days a week, and provide insights on lifestyle triggers like diet, menstruation, and stress. We also help patients navigate insurance coverage for treatments or find the lowest cash-price options. Ultimately, we are building a gold mine of structured data which we hope will enhance drug development, phase IV research, and precision medicine.

Honeydew was founded by David Futoran (Wharton) and his dermatology Dr. Joel Spitz (Princeton, Columbia), after years of struggling with the healthcare system firsthand through personal experiences as patient and provider.

Honeydew is backed by top tier angels like Jeff Nadler (Teladoc), Dan Reich (Tula Skincare, DIBS Beauty), Cory Levy, and Adam Guild, as well as Browder Capital and V1.VC.

Company Leadership

DAVID FUTORAN

Co-Founder & CEO

David grew up in a family of immigrant physicians and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with degrees in Healthcare Management and Biology. As a student, David led Wharton’s Healthcare Club and wrote a masters course on health economics for Penn Medicine. Prior to starting Honeydew, David led product and growth at a digital health startup with $20M in funding. David started Honeydew with the dermatologist that cleared his skin after personally struggling with a chronic skin condition for 6 years.

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JOEL SPITZ

Co-founder & CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

Joel Spitz, MD is a Princeton/Columbia trained Board-certified dermatologist with over 25 years of practice. Joel is the author of Genodermatoses, a textbook taught in every dermatology residency across the country. He also serves as the dermatologist for the US Open and the NY Islanders. Joel is also a Medical Advisor for Brothers for Life, an organization he helped start to heal wounded soldiers in Israel. Joel has been a leading advocate for telemedicine since as far back as 2009.

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Midgard Raven

Origin: Ashburn, VA | Grant Awarded: 2023 | Status: Active

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What is Midgard Raven?

Midgard Raven, LLC is at the forefront of geospatial innovation, driven by a resolute vision to enable universal access to satellite imagery. As a leading provider of geospatial solutions, the company is committed to breaking down barriers and democratizing the utilization of satellite imagery across various sectors. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and strategic partnerships, Midgard Raven empowers governments, businesses, researchers, and individuals to harness the power of spatial data, facilitating informed decision-making, fostering environmental stewardship, and stimulating socio-economic development. The company’s unwavering dedication to technological advancement and inclusivity underscores its role as a transformative force, redefining the boundaries of geospatial accessibility and cultivating a future where satellite imagery is a ubiquitous tool for progress.

Company Leadership

ADAM SIMMONS

Founder & ceo

With 20 years of experience, Adam Simmons is currently the Chief Executive Officer at Midgard Raven, LLC. He is currently positioned as a Geospatial Industry Leader driving cutting edge-solutions around satellite and aerial-based imagery analytics, machine learning, and open-source data. Additionally, he is the Executive Director of Project Geospatial, a 501(c)3 media organization committed to collaboration of academia, industry, and government within the geospatial community.

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Pana Mina

Origin: Jaipur, India |

Grant Awarded: 2023 | Status: Active

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What is Pana Mina?

“”We Make Clothing Personal”
Pana Mina is a made-to-order clothing startup at the intersection of sustainability and size-inclusivity. Pana Mina uses natural, eco-friendly fabrics to make custom-sized garments, encouraging customers to embrace their individuality and use their unique body measurements, rather than restrictive standard sizes, to purchase clothing online.

Company Leadership

ELEANOR SWANSTROM

Co-Founder

Eleanore was first exposed to the fashion industry when she modeled for St. Louis Fashion Week as a teenager. She later graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Marketing degree, and then worked for a marketing agency in Minneapolis serving apparel brands like Calvin Klein and Lane Bryant. In 2019, Eleanore traveled through India and met her partner and fellow Co-Founder, Jay. She then spent 3 years living in Jay’s vibrant hometown: Jaipur, India. Eleanore’s apparel marketing expertise and international experience prepared her to co-found Pana Mina, and bring sustainable, size-inclusive clothing to a global audience.

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dhananjay sharma

Co-founder

Dhananjay grew up in Jaipur, India, an international hub for apparel production. His local connections, combined with his efficient and detail-oriented work style, allow him to vet production facilities, evaluate fabric options, and ensure products meet the highest quality standards.

Dhananjay’s motto, “Sab Kuch Milega” – meaning “Everything is Possible” in Hindi – reflects his can-do attitude and optimism that any manufacturing or logistics challenge can be solved through the right local partners and processes. He helps Pana Mina navigate the complexities of apparel production in India, and realize the vision of sustainable clothing for all.

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Seed Matriz

Origin: Rio Cuarto, Argentina |

Grant Awarded: 2023 | Status: Active

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What is Seed Matriz?

Seed Matriz is an agtech startup born in Argentina, looking to solve the main problems farmers and seed companies are facing and boost the plant by plant agronomy. The encapsulation technology developed improve shape and size of seeds, having the possibility to add biostimulants and other products to improve the first stages of the crops growth, enhancing final yields while reducing the agronomic inputs.
The encapsulation also allow seeds to be detected underground during planting process, having in real time the depth and distance of seeds with furrow closed. This information is necessary to have complete control of the planting process and also as an information layer for digital agriculture.
Another feature we are developing is to enhance the natural signs that plants show when they are suffering any kind of stress. With this will be possible to detect plant by plant, with hyperspectral cameras on drones or satellites, the health status of the crop, having early and accurate information. Having this information will be possible to solve any issue using less products and minimizing applications.

Company Leadership

FEDERICO COLA

FOUNDER & CEO

Federico Cola is an Agricultural Engineer, farmer, founder and Director of several companies in the field of bioethanol, biogas, clean energy and others. Former rally motorcycle racer, he participated in the Dakar competition. Federico never give up, he always find the way to solve any obstacle or make a success from any project. A great team builder, inspiring and empowering others to get involved in challenging goals. The word entrepreneur describes him perfectly.

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JUAN COLA

Co-founder & DIRECTOR

Juan is a veterinarian and runs a beef company. He is also a partner in other startups and a Board Director for some companies.

WALTER SANSONE

Co-Founder & MANAGER

ALVARO FERNàNDEZ

Co-founder & COO

Seoul Juice

Origin: Marina Del Rey, CA |

Grant Awarded: 2023 | Status: Active

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What is Seoul Juice?

Seoul Juice is a premium hydration beverage made from Korean Pears. Originally created by a Saint Louis University athlete in his dorm room as an alternative to artificial sports drinks and horrible tasting coconut water. Seoul Juice has the taste of a light apple juice, has only 3 non-GMO ingredients, and is packed with electrolytes (410 mg of potassium per bottle/About the same as a banana) and half the sugar of apple juice (0g added sugar). Unlike most Sports drinks, Seoul Juice is just fruit and water with nothing else added. And since its dorm room creation Seoul Juice has expanded across the US and into Canada and is soon to launch Nationwide.

Company Leadership

LUIS MANTA

FOUNDER & CEO

Luis Manta started Seoul Juice in his Saint Louis University Dorm Room after having an allergic reaction to one of the most popular Sports Drinks. Luis has a Bachelors from Saint Louis University and an Executive MBA from Pepperdine. Along with founding Seoul Juice he created CPG lines for Eva Longoria, Chef John Howie, and Tasty Buzzfeed.

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Shades of Color

Origin: MO | Grant Awarded: 2023 | Status: Active

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What is Shades of Color?

Shades of Color provides a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible global platform using artificial intelligence and augmented reality to empower beauty brands and consumers with personalized solutions to buy and sell products for their unique needs, cultures, and lifestyles.

Their interactive personalized beauty marketplace enhances the shopping experience by connecting beauty brands and beauty shoppers with unique skin tones, skin conditions, and allergies.

Company Leadership

TASHARA EARL

FOUNDER & CEO

Tashara Earl is a multifaceted entrepreneur, artist & licensed cosmetologist. Growing up in the Baden Neighborhood of North St. Louis led her to embark on the beauty, entertainment, and entrepreneurship journey. Like millions of others, Tashara struggled to find products that worked for her unique needs. With her experience, Tashara passionately founded Shades of Color to address an unmet beauty industry need and empower economic growth in our communities.

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TASHA EARL

Co-founder & CTO

Tasha Earl is the CTO of Shades of Color and a driven senior advisor in the Missouri Air National Guard. Her expertise is enhancing organizational effectiveness, fostering cultural diversity and inclusion, and adapting to evolving operational and technological demands. Tasha earned her B.S. in Information Technology from Lindenwood University. Over the past nine years, Tasha has honed her skills through a series of roles: Systems and Database Manager, Cyber Security Liaison, and IT Specialist.

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The Girls Company

Origin: Salt Lake City, UT |

Grant Awarded: 2023 | Status: Active

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What is The Girls Company?

One fateful day in an entrepreneurship class at Brigham Young University, Abby Warner, Taimi Kennerley and Zoia Ali were placed together at random in a group. They became fast-friends, and were coined “The Girls.” Little did they know that this class would lead them to eventually found The Girls Company, and launch their signature product: The Band (the world’s thinnest heated band, no electrical cords or outlets required).
Their mission? To make period cramps suck less. Because life shouldn’t stop when your period starts. Period.
In order to bring their vision to life and get the necessary funding, The Girls entered a variety of business competitions. They stood out at every event they attended, and went on to become the first all-female team to win first place at the International Business Model Competition.
Their journey has not always been easy. The Girls are often up against rooms filled with men, who do not understand the need for their products. The Girls keep persevering, educating and captivating their audiences. They have done the heavy lifting, the research, the interviews, the case-studies, the prototypes, and many, many tests.
How exactly does their signature product work? The Band comes with three pockets in the front, and three in the back. The user takes their thin, disposable warmers, and inserts them in the desired pockets. The warmers provide all-day heat (eight to ten hours). Once finished, the warmers can be disposed of. The ingredients are environmentally safe, and the band is machine-washable. This extremely discrete band can be worn under clothes during a variety of daily activities, without being noticed.
The Girls are continually working to destigmatize period talk, and are developing more products for this underserved market. Not only does The Girls Company create unique period solutions, they have built a safe community for women to have those open and important conversations.

Company Leadership

ABBY WARNER

CO-FOUNDER & CEO

Abby Warner graduated from BYU with a degree in entrepreneurship and a minor in international development. Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, she manages all of the bookkeeping, finances and accounting, for The Girls Co., along partner relations and maintaining a long-term vision for the company.

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TAIMI KENNERLEY

Co-founder & CMO

Taimi Kennerley moved from Lynfield, New Zealand, to the U.S. when she was ten years old. Taimi is half-samoan and her name means “time.” She received an entrepreneurship degree from BYU, and handles brand building, digital and physical assets, socials and customer experience for The Girls Co.

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Zoia Ali

CO-FOUNDER & COO

Zoia Ali grew up in a Pakistani household in the Dallas, Texas area. Inspired by her father’s entrepreneurial spirit, she went on to graduate from BYU with a degree in entrepreneurship. She focuses on operations, product development, SEO, digital and outbound marketing for The Girls Co. and likes to problem solve.

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Top Tutors For Us

Origin: MO | Grant Awarded: 2023 | Status: Active

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What is Top Tutors For Us?

By Black tutors, for Black students, Top Tutors for Us designs educational programs and curriculums for predominantly Black public schools. These curricula work hand-in-hand with the company’s supplementary private tutoring services to provide the younger generation equal opportunity to succeed in the college admission process. Top Tutors has also developed a custom suite of resources including prep books, online videos, and practice problems so that students have access to everything they need to succeed. As an outside source, Top Tutors has the benefit of connecting students with a mentor who has had similar experiences, creating a network. This specialized connection is something many other generic tutoring services are unable to offer. We keep our students in the system so that after they graduate, they can become a Top Tutor, creating a community and cycle of teaching each other.

Company Leadership

ANGELICA HARRIS

FOUNDER & CEO

Angelica Harris earned her third WashU degree, a Masters in Computer Science. Before college, she received $1.5M+ in scholarships, gaining entry to top universities. Starting with a 16 ACT score, she self-improved to 32. Now, for 7 years, she aids students in similar journeys. Noticing low Black student numbers in prestigious institutions during undergrad, she founded a business guiding Black students to boost their university prospects.

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VetVerifi

Origin: MO | Grant Awarded: 2023 | Status: Active

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What is VetVerifi?

VetVerifi is a data verifications company that enables secure, verified patient records sharing to better connect veterinarians with their pet care partners, from daycare and boarding to apartments to hotels to airports to pet insurers.

Company Leadership

DAVID SERVODIDIO

Co-founder & partner

David Servodidio is a Co-Founder & Partner at VetVerifi. Both a marketer and entrepreneur, his experience blends go-to-market commercial strategy and product marketing in B2B technology. His expertise contributes to VetVerifi’s innovative solutions and strategic positioning within the pet care industry.

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TiM RIDGWAY

Co-founder & PARTNER

Tim Ridgway is a Co-Founder & Partner of VetVerifi, leveraging his extensive expertise in designing go-to-market strategies, leading high-performing sales teams, and strategic partner leadership. With a proven track record in helping teams find product-market-fit and execute, he plays a crucial role in driving VetVerifi’s growth and success within pet care technology.

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CHRIS LYNN

Co-founder & partner

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