by Katie Calabro | Oct 4, 2022
Founded in 2012, 305 Fitness is an underground non-stop dance cardio workout that infuses dance moves, sports drills, and high-intensity interval training. Classes feature a live DJ and rhythmic light show. 305’s unique brand also emphasizes inclusivity and body-positivity. Called “rave-meets-workout,” 305 Fitness operates in Boston, DC, Miami, LA, Chicago, and SF, with more certified instructors leading classes across the country.
305 Fitness was founded by Sadie Kurzban ‘12, who drew inspiration for her business from ENGN 1010. Read her profile in the Brown Alumni Magazine here. The venture received the Brown Venture Prize in 2008, and was the first recipient of funding from Van Wickle Ventures in 2019. It has also been featured in Forbes, the Today Show, and ESPN.
Photo Credit: Sadie Kurzban
by Katie Calabro | Oct 2, 2022
AtomICs is a molecular data storage and computing startup that stores digital data in small molecules to offer denser, more sustainable, and more durable data storage than transistors. Through denser, more sustainable DNA data storage, they seek to revolutionize the way digital data is stored through small molecules.
AtomICs was founded by Dana Biechele-Speziale PhD ‘24, Selahaddin Gumus PhD ‘24 and professors Brenda Rubenstein and Jacob Rosenstein. It was the winner of the 2022 Brown Venture Prize, and was the first first PhD student and faculty team to win the prize. Read AtomICs’ profile in the Brown Daily Herald here. AtomICs was also a finalist in the Rhode Island Business Competition, and is currently in the 2022 MassChallenge US early-stage cohort.
Photo Credit: Nelson Center for Entrepreneurship
by Katie Calabro | Sep 30, 2022
Beam Impact helps connect consumers with social impact causes by turning purchases into nonprofit donations. Beam partners with brands committed to giving back and nonprofits committed to making a difference. Customers can shop from partner brands through the app, and donate a portion of their purchase to nonprofits at no cost. In 2021, donations made through Beam’s app funded over 7 million meals for food insecure communities, 250 hours of free therapy for Black and LGBTQ+ communities, and more.
Viveka Hulyalkar ‘15 and Alex Sadhu founded Beam Impact in 2017. Read their profile in Forbes here. Beam Impact was named on the 2021 Forbes 30 under 30 list, and raised over $13 million in funding in 2022.
Photo Credit: Beam Impact
by Jonas Clark | Sep 28, 2022
Founded in 2019, Bolden Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing first-in-class therapeutics to treat central nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer’s and ischemic stroke. Their technology focuses on a key molecular pathway that stimulates neurogenesis (the birth of new neurons) in the adult brain–one that has demonstrated proof of concept in mouse models.
This 2021 Brown Venture Prize Finalist was co-founded by Johnny Page, ’24, Justin Fallon, Professor of Neuroscience, and Ashley Webb, Assistant Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology. The company received a $500,000 Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant from the National Institute on Aging in 2021.
Photo Credit: Justin Fallon, Ashley Webb, and Johnny Page
by Katie Calabro | Sep 24, 2022
Cuyana is a B2C, slow fashion company that encourages customers to purchase fewer but better-quality pieces that they will love and treasure for years to come. They are a women-built, heritage-led company that produces responsibly and supports customers in the repair and care of the items.
Cuyana was founded in 2011 by Karla Gallardo ’05 and Shilpa Shah. Both founders were recently profiled by WhoWhatWear. Cuyana recently launched Revive, a resale platform that allows customers to sell, donate, or purchase preloved Cuyana merchandise. Read more about this launch here.
From Left to Right: Shilpa Shah and Karla Gallardo
Photo Credit: Cuyana
