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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No Limbits

Origin: IA | Grant Awarded: 2021 | Status: Active

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What is No Limbits?

No Limbits is a ready-to-wear adaptive clothing brand with the mission of increasing comfort, confidence, and independence in those who struggle to dress themselves due to a disability. With options for amputees, wheelchair users, and those with sensory processing disorders, No Limbits uses human-centered design to make fashion accessible.

Company Leadership

erica cole

ceo & Founder

Erica started No Limbits after personal experience struggling to find clothing that worked with her prosthesis. Erica has led the company through the prestigious Target Incubator and was a 2021 Halcyon Fellow. She was awarded the University of Iowa’s Female Founder of the Year in 2020.

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Lux and Nyx

Origin: MO | Grant Awarded: 2019 | Status: Active

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What is Lux and Nyx?

We are a fashion company that equips the rockstar women with the tools she needs to go places and make a difference in the world. We design professional and stylish bags for the rising career women to go from board room to travel without skipping a beat. Function, style, plus eco-friendly.

Company Leadership

Lisa Hu

CEO

After spending over a decade in the corporate world and launching her own business, Lisa understands the needs on-the-go females because that’s who she was, it’s who she is and will be. Slowing down is not in her vocabulary. She is passionate about designing products that help women do more and achieve more through innovative and functional designs. She believes that one shouldn’t have to substitute function for luxury and vice versa. The name Lux & Nyx comes from the Greek words meaning “light” and “night.” According to Hu, “It’s a representation of a transitional period, whether it’s a physical change in time or an analogy for life changes.” This transition was marked by Hu’s step out of the corporate financial world into fashion design.

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Mandy Campise

Co-Founder, Director of Sales

With a passion for uplifting and empowering women to be their best, Mandy loves working with people and growing a team of go-getter women.

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We champion extraordinary entrepreneurs to create positive change – for St. Louis and for the world. Join us by applying to our Global Startup Competition, becoming a financial supporter, volunteering your time or amplifying our message.

AUDRA

Origin: MO | Grant Awarded: 2019 | Status: Active

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What is AUDRA?

AUDRA is clothing the dynamic woman in effortless beauty for all the roles she plays in life. AUDRA is a globally validated womenswear brand established by Paris-trained Audra Danielle Noyes. Fueled by the memory of her father, Noyes draws inspiration from men’s tailored clothing and infuses in her own feminine voice, a conversation between a father and daughter. AUDRA provides luxury clothing that is modest, playful, and alluring at an accessible designer price point; easy to wear by a wide range of ages and sizes. AUDRA’s product targets the designer luxury market, retailing $450-$1600.00. AUDRA is currently sold in over 15 luxury boutiques in North America and has built a robust D2C business through the brand’s e-commerce site, private clients, trunk shows, and made to order. Further validation includes continual increase of new customers, repeat customer, and press recognition.

Company Leadership

Audra Noyes HERNDON

Owner & Creative Director

Audra Noyes Herndon has led the operations and development of AUDRA; producing eleven collections and gaining global validation and distribution. Noyes has been recognized in leading publications for her business and design acumen including being named by “Women’s Wear Daily” as ‘One to Watch’ and Forbes.com as a “Bad Girl” Fashion and Beauty Entrepreneur. Additionally, Noyes has personally trained under top names in the industry, such as Alber Elbaz at LANVIN & John Galliano.

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Demestik

Origin: NY | Grant Awarded: 2017 | Status: Active

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What is Demestik?

DEMESTIK by Reuben Reuel is a womenswear brand offering made-to-order dresses and separates manufactured in the U.S. DEMESTIK pairs traditional fabric, Holland was cotton, with classic yet modern designs. Thus creating bold statement pieces and styles that easily transition from casual everyday wear to special occasion and evening attire.

Company Leadership

Reuben Reuel

Owner/CEO

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Involved Industries

Be a Part of the Movement

We champion extraordinary entrepreneurs to create positive change – for St. Louis and for the world. Join us by applying to our Global Startup Competition, becoming a financial supporter, volunteering your time or amplifying our message.