Nelson Center for Entrepreneurship

B-Lab 2024

We are welcoming 11 ventures that address unmet needs in a wide range of market sectors: a plus-size women’s shoe company, better-fitting prosthetics, shareable community vacuums, empowering women’s Afghan craftsmanship and fashion, and many more.

The venture founders from Brown University and RISD bring diverse perspectives, strengths, and interests to the cohort. They are bound together by their passion for creating meaningful solutions to important challenges in exciting markets, and they represent some of the most advanced ventures in the Brown entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Bonsai

Bonsai is a smoothie machine company that helps gym-goers and athletes achieve their nutritional goals while providing fitness centers an additional source of revenue. As a user, whether you are trying to gain weight, lose weight, or train for a sport, you can customize a smoothie just right for you. The fitness industry is just the start, we see this applicable as a healthy, convenient breakfast option for all sorts of settings such as airports, train stations, offices, schools, etc.

  • Abhinav Tripathi

    Abhinav Tripathi '25

    Applied Mathematics & Economics
  • Arman Mohammadi

    Arman Mohammadi '25

    Computer Science
  • Chayathorn Kulthonchalanan

    Chayathorn Kulthonchalanan '24

    Computer Science & Economics

Co-Hive

Co-Hive offers convenient, low-cost rentals of tech devices like vacuum robots at local sharing stations. Our service promotes sustainability and affordability, enabling users to access technology without the drawbacks and inconvenience of owning. Join us in embracing a smarter, easier, and greener lifestyle.

  • Yanmi Yu

    Yanmi Yu '26

    Applied Mathematics & Computer Science
  • Bruce Xie

    Bruce Xie '25

    RISD, Industrial Design

Dani King

Dani King is a plus-size women’s shoe company looking to create high-quality, comfortable, and fashion-forward shoes in sizes 9-15. Women with larger feet have been overlooked in the fashion industry and it’s time for change. Dani King’s shoes are designed specifically for larger feet with increased arch support, reinforced heels, wider toe boxes, and varying widths. Dani King is a space where large women can shop with peace of mind, knowing they can find styles they love in their size.

  • Danielle King

    Danielle King '25

    Economics and Entrepreneurship Certificate

DAYGUARD

DAYGUARD is a tasty, convenient, and affordable hangover remedy in the form of a jelly stick, designed to alleviate hangover symptoms and promote liver health. These jelly sticks have become immensely popular in South Korea in the last three years, and we plan to be the first to bring them to the American market at scale.

Whether you’re savoring a single glass or embarking on a night-long adventure, DAYGUARD will protect your tomorrow. Our jellies are packed with electrolytes and herbal ingredients that are game-changers in the fight against hangovers. Improved immunity, hydration, and liver detoxification have never been easier and tastier.

  • Gene Oh '24

    Gene Oh '24

    Computer Science
  • Felix Lee '26

    Felix Lee '26

    Applied Mathematics - Computer Science

EcoForge

EcoForge is developing local, sustainable building materials from agricultural residues and plants while supporting local communities.

  • Rongyu Na

    Rongyu Na '24

    Master of Arts in Design Engineering
  • Myung Bender

    Myung Bender '24

    Master of Arts in Design Engineering

Embrace Medical

Over 600,000 below-the-knee prosthetic users in the US use an uncomfortable prosthetic socket. An uncomfortable and poor fitting prosthetic socket can lead to pain, rashes, and even infection, causing more trips to the hospital. Part of the reason why this is the case is because an amputee’s residual limb (the part that fits into the socket) fluctuates in volume throughout the day. The majority of current sockets are rigid, with a few adjustable options which are tedious for the user.

Embrace Medical aims to solve this issue by creating an automatically adjustable prosthetic to create a better fit for prosthetic leg users.

  • Christian Labrador

    Christian Labrador '24

    Mechanical Engineering
  • Joseph Dewan

    Joseph Dewan '24

    Mechanical Engineering

Gath

Our venture is a gamified self-care application that combines mixed reality (MR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies, designed for Generation Z individuals facing academic and workplace stress. By incorporating a virtual pet system, we have created an immersive experience and interactive AI dialogue. Our application not only helps users relax and de-stress but also sparks their interest in self-improvement and emotional management through gamified elements.

  • Pengye Yang

    Pengye Yang '24

    Master of Arts in Design Engineering
  • Liming Chen

    Liming Chen '24

    Master of Arts in Design Engineering
  • Xinyue Wang

    Xinyue Wang '24

    Master of Arts in Design Engineering

Glu

More than 77% of college students nationwide report psychological distress, exacerbated by social media-induced anxiety and depression (ACHA, 2022). Glu is the first social media app designed to combat these challenges by sending users a daily introspective question at a random time, encouraging meaningful reflection. This process helps students understand their thought patterns and fosters a supportive community through shared insights. Think of it as a dynamic, interactive journal that not only listens but also talks back, providing AI-driven feedback.

  • Natalie Chernysh

    Natalie Chernysh '24

    Neuroscience
  • Katelynn Park

    Katelynn Park '26 Park '26

    Biology
  • Christina Wang

    Christina Wang '26

    RISD, Industrial Design

Nawur

Nawur is a beacon of cultural fusion and empowerment, intertwining traditional Afghan craftsmanship with contemporary fashion sensibilities. Our garments are not just attire; they are a testament to innovation and creativity in the fashion realm. With each purchase, you not only adorn yourself in elegance but also uplift Afghan women artisans financially, ensuring their skills are celebrated and sustained. Furthermore, your support fuels initiatives dedicated to enhancing the lives of Afghan women, fostering a brighter future for generations to come.

  • Khadija Nazari

    Khadija Nazari '25

    International & Public Affairs
  • Gulshah Nazari

    Gulshah Nazari '26

    Central South University

No Empty Seats

No Empty Seats (NES) is a student-led mental health initiative dedicated to destigmatizing mental illness and bringing an end to suicide. This summer we plan on expanding NES through our clothing brand, college videos promoting mental health, diverse collaborations, and vulnerable shared stories. We acknowledge how crucial it is to speak up about mental health, and we believe that NES is a perfect way to help our peers internalize that it is okay not to be okay!

  • Michael OuYang

    Michael OuYang '26

    Public Health

Otto

Otto is a Slack integration that uses AI to turn your team’s updates into a searchable knowledge base. Corporate teams are spending up to ⅓ of their time in meetings to update their teammates about their rapidly evolving venture. These meetings disrupt the cadence of people’s workflows, and they are often unproductive or repetitive. Team members then have to spend up to 2 hours a day just searching for the information they need. Not only are these communication issues frustrating, they are costing companies a lot of money. As Otto continues to evolve and become a staple in an organization’s workflow, it will become the all-in-one knowledge assistant for corporate learning, communication, and culture.

  • Renny Jiang

    Renny Jiang '24

    English, Gender & Sexuality Studies
  • Matan Gans

    Matan Gans '22

    Sc.M. & Sc.B. Computer Science