Golden Gems

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

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What is Golden Gems?

Golden Gems is a lifestyle brand that designs and sells accessories, apparel, stationary goods, and home decor. All of their products exude their mission of inspiring and empowering you to live unapologetically, take up space and live life on your own terms.

Sisters Susan Logsdon and Amanda Helman started Golden Gems in 2016 headquartered out of Amanda’s living room. What started with lots of long nights and just 8 products, the Golden Gems gals quickly gained a local following through Etsy and opened up their first brick and mortar in a small shop on Cherokee Street in South St. Louis City in 2018. Over the next few years, Golden Gems experienced such rapid growth that Susan and Amanda tripled their product line, grew their team with 18 new employees, and quickly outgrew that little 1200 sq ft shop on Cherokee.

In October 2021, Golden Gems moved into our current 5600 sq ft flagship store & warehouse space on Locust Street in Midtown St. Louis. The new space houses a bigger retail store in the front, with headquarters in the back for shipping, housing their ever growing product line, offices, event space, photography studio and more.

Additionally, they opened a holiday pop-up shop in 2021 at the City Foundry, which quickly proved that St. Louis wanted more Golden Gems and the sister duo signed a permanent lease in 2022. Earlier this year they opened their third location at West County Center and it has been a huge success.

In addition to their brick and mortar and online shops, Golden Gems has a thriving wholesale business and their products can be found in over 800 stores across the country, including Urban Outfitters and Paper Source. Helman and Logsdon are excited to grow their brand locally, and are confident that St. Louis expansion will lead to even more recognition by shoppers and the brand can continue to expand nationally as the years go on.

Company Leadership

AMANDA HELMAN

Co-Founder & COO

Michelle spent the first part of her career as a top ranked on-air television news reporter, culminating at Fox 2 News, St. Louis. She is an expert at product marketing and go-to-market strategy derived from her strong analytical and communication skills. She also founded and led a public relations and marketing firm where she gained experience with businesses ranging from startups to 100M+ non-profit where she was the senior executive responsible for all aspects of marketing, communications and campaign strategy.

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SUSAN LOGSDON

Co-founder & CCO

Susan is a self taught graphic designer with over 12 years of experience in the field. Susan is a lover of the creative process and enjoys writing and playing music, baking, designing, and naturally enjoys designing new Golden Gems products.

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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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We Hear You

Origin: Peoria, IL |

Grant Awarded: 2023 | Status: Active

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What is We Hear You?

We Hear You® is a startup company that creates accessible technology for those who are often not placed at the forefront of innovation. We Hear You® is currently working on two inventions that are focused on inclusivity and accessibility. The first is a two-way sign language translation software that is able to translate ASL through hand recognition and then translate speech to ASL. The second invention, Push™ , is a revolutionary solution for transforming ADA doors into automatic doors. With a simple press of a personal button, individuals with mobility exceptionalities can easily access public spaces, improving their independence and ease of mobility. This device is versatile; it can be worn as a wristband, attached to a wheelchair, or clipped to a keychain. The low-cost assistive devices empower businesses to accommodate their customers, ensuring a more accessible and inclusive environment. By prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion as the foundation of innovation, We Hear You® strives to create a world where everyone can navigate their everyday lives with ease and dignity.

Company Leadership

Pierre Paul

FOUNDER & CEO

Pierre Paul was born in Brazil, grew up shortly in Guyana, and then landed in Ohio. At a young age, he faced extreme poverty, xenophobia and racism for simply being different. Armed with these experiences, he grew up with an unwavering determination to ensure that others who fell outside the “status quo” did not feel unwelcome in the world. Motivated by a vision for change and a burning desire to address the concerns of individuals whose voices often go unheard, Pierre embarked on a mission to establish We Hear You®.

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BETHANY COURI

Co-founder

Bethany is a young, driven Ed.D. student and professional. She works at Bradley University overseeing campus Residential Living. In addition, she serves as the Chief Operating Officer for We Hear You, LLC to ensure that we as a society are proactive with inclusivity and accessibility instead of being reactive to others’ needs.

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12 Pentagons

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

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What is 12 Pentagons?

12 Pentagons sells experimental, hand-crafted soccer balls and makes content about it.

Company Leadership

ALLISON DIAZ WHEATLEY

Co-Founder

Allison has over a decade of experience telling stories for brands both big and small. With a degree in Marketing from UIUC College of Business, she sharpened her skills at AB, managing brand strategy for Budweiser and Michelob ULTRA at the regional level. Allison started 12 Pentagons with Jon-Paul to bring his bespoke designs to market. She’s even made a few footballs herself.Connect on LinkedIn →

JON-PAUL WHEATLEY

Co-founder

Jon-Paul is a product-focused founder. He immigrated from England to San Francisco for his first company, later moving to St. Louis in 2014. He has had multiple previous exits. His first company, DailyBooth, was acquired by Airbnb. Jon-Paul is an obsessive ball designer and shares his process at @jonpaulsballs on social media. In his first year making content, his videos were viewed over 100 million times and worked with brands like adidas, FIFA, MLS, and St. Louis City SC.

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uFab

Origin: MO | Grant Awarded: 2022 | Status: Active

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What is uFab?

uFab is a St. Louis based company startup that is committed to changing how circuit boards are designed and fabricated. Modern circuit board designers face a plethora of challenges, from long lead times to unreliable supply chains. To solve these issues facing them, , uFab has developed a patent pending technology to fabricate circuit boards in a matter of hours, rather than days or weeks. Customers can reduce development time by months and focus on what matters most to them: creating new and interesting hardware.
Inventors and innovators are constantly seeking to change the status quo, but, taking their ideas from paper to reality can be challenging or sometimes feel impossible. uFab’s clients look to us to actualize their ideas, taking something from idea to reality without all the hassle. uFab helps clients through the entire development cycle using its tech, from planning to circuit board design, rapid prototyping to finalized design. Once completed, uFab often works with clients to strategize viable mass production options. Our clients have us focus on the technical, while they focus on what they do well in their business.

Company Leadership

Tyler Richards

founder

When Tyler was young, he had no doubt he was going to work with electronics. He would spend his free time building 3D printers from scraps, high vacuum chambers with items from Ebay, and restoring vintage electronics. Now, Tyler has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, and his experience in industry ranges from music synthesizers to plant growth chambers. With his passion for inventing, Tyler always pursues new and interesting ways of making things, and wants to continue that as founder of uFab.

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The Fattened Caf

Origin: MO | Grant Awarded: 2022 | Status: Active

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What is The Fattened Caf?

The Fattened Caf started through a series of game nights. It was a way for Darren to perfect his BBQ skills and a way for Charlene to introduce Filipino food to her STL community. Since then, it has grown into a pop up restaurant inside Earthbound Beer. At the height of the pandemic, Charlene and Darren had to figure out a way to pivot the business to stay afloat. They started working on a smoked longganisa recipe and packaging them for people to cook at home. It was a way for their customers to still get their Filipino food fix from The Fattened Caf in the comfort of their own home. When the opportunity came to put their packaged goods in Schnucks, they took the opportunity to get Filipino food on the shelves on mainstream grocery stores. Today they can also be found in Fresh Thyme City Foundry, United Provisions, and Old North Provisions.

Company Leadership

Charlene Bakunawa Young

co-founder & vp of operations

Charlene is a transplant to STL from Los Angeles, California. Before living in STL, she was in Melbourne Australia getting her Masters in International Relations from the University of Melbourne. She’s worked for the fundraising development field team of UNHCR, as a Policy Analyst for Project Respect, and then a Data Analyst here in STL. Since Sept 2020, she left full time work to pursue The Fattened Caf.
Charlene is a mom of 2 (3 year old and 8 month old). She considers STL her home and is empowered by all the Filipino American chefs in STL’s food scene. Even though her passion is still in humanitarian work, her mission through The Fattened Caf is to bring authentic Filipino food into grocery stores.
On her spare time, she loves to spend time with her family, Sunday family days, being outdoors, cleaning her home, and traveling.

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Darren Young

Co-founder & CEO

Darren Young is a transplant to STL from Santa Clarita, California. He has devoted over 16 years in non profit management and community development. He has a degree in Urban Missions. Currently, he is the Area Director of Young Life, a youth development and outreach program, in Saint Louis City. When he isn’t program planning and strategic thinking, Darren loves all things BBQ and is the grill master of The Fattened Caf. He enjoys recipe development and sausage making the most! Darren also enjoys feeding people. In his free time, he loves hanging out with his family, grilling for friends, and watching a great movie.On her spare time, she loves to spend time with her family, Sunday family days, being outdoors, cleaning her home, and traveling.

Peppermint

Origin: MO | Grant Awarded: 2022 | Status: Active

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What is Peppermint?

Peppermint is a consumer healthcare brand that designs beautiful products for those with mobility challenges. Its first product is a walker unlike any other.

For the first time in US history, those over 65 years of age will out number those under 18. These are known as the “baby boomers” and they are very different than the generation before them. Among the many differences is their interest in “embracing” as opposed to “accepting” their age, and their focus on health and wellness.

The healthcare equipment category is filled with brands that force a feeling of being a patient instead of a person, and products that look like hospital furniture.

By reinventing what a brand and its products can look like for those with mobility challenges, Peppermint can help encourage people to embrace their season of life and better connect them with their loved ones, communities, and their health and wellness.

Company Leadership

Scott Bernstein

founder & cEO

Scott has dedicated much of his career to innovative businesses on both the investor and operator sides. Prior to founding Peppermint, Scott sat on the leadership teams of several startups including Freely Pet and Stix Golf.

Scott was also on the investment team at Lewis & Clark Ventures, a Series A stage VC firm, and managed operations for Capital Innovators.

Scott has an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BA in Economics from the University of Colorado Boulder.

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MOODEAUX

Origin: GA | Grant Awarded: 2022 | Status: Active

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What is MOODEAUX?

When the world commands you to shrink, we say do the opposite: Flaunt How You Feel.® As a clean fragrance label rooted in the scientific connection between scent, memory and emotion, MOODEAUX® turns accessorizing your mood into mindful self-care and “luxury” into a lifestyle —  all minus any harsh alcohol, weird chemicals or unnecessary dyes. It’s through this attitude, along with our unique blends of drool-worthy accords and skin-nourishing ingredients, we’re changing the game forever. Welcome to a new era in beauty.

Company Leadership

Brianna Arps

founder & cEO

Brianna Arps is a former editor-turned-marketing expert whose passion for people, storytelling and all things beauty finally led to the birth of her very own “brand-children” MOODEAUX® and Black In Fragrance.™ In the same way as her bold sense of style, Brianna wears her emotions like a badge of honor — navigating through life by the simple motto: Flaunt How You Feel.® A St. Louis native, she’s known as an outspoken, charismatic big thinker working to make the world around her better — starting with perfume. Brianna holds a bachelor’s degree from the world’s first School of Journalism seated at the University of Missouri.

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Flora

Origin: IL | Grant Awarded: 2022 | Status: Active

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What is Flora?

Flora was born from pains of horticultural hopelessness: Aabesh De, the Founder of Flora, was killing every single plant in his line of sight. The last straw was when his mother gave him a rose bush plant to babysit: The rose bush withered away in a week.

Aabesh was frustrated that there wasn’t an accessible, easier way to learn about houseplants and gardening, while connecting with other plant parents along the way. Surprised that there wasn’t a “heart monitor for your plants” in the market, started tinkering around with numerous moisture and light sensors in late 2020, and invented the Flora Pod.

He eventually developed the Flora iOS app for launch in July, 2021, which has now grown to more than 125,000 users from more than 190 countries! Flora has now grown to a talented, plant-obsessed, rock-star team of 30 individuals committed to one singular mission: To save as many plants as possible and commit to fighting the climate crisis through connecting millions of people with nature.

Company Leadership

Aabesh De

founder & cEO

A first-generation immigrant and globe-trotter, Aabesh is driven by a lifelong sense of curiosity.

He founded Flora from this applied curiosity, inventing the Flora Pod and developing the Flora iOS app from his frustrations with horticultural hopelessness. He taught himself mobile development (primarily in Swift), and found his calling in building useful, mission-driven products for thousands of people. He previously worked at Microsoft and Etsy, and is now dedicated to saving as many plants as possible and committed to fighting the climate crisis through connecting millions of people with nature.

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