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
by Katie Calabro | Sep 23, 2022
Dear Kate provides leak-resistant and stain-fighting undergarments, activewear, and accessories that eliminate the everyday worry of leaks, stains, and odors. Founded in 2012 by Julie Sygiel ‘09, Dear Kate products use unique Underlux™ technology in their products that’s both absorbent and breathable. This technology supports Dear Kate’s product lines, particularly their highly rated reusable period apparel.
Julie Sygiel was included on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in 2016. Read her profile in Forbes here.
Photo Credit: Julie Sygiel
by Tori Gilbert | Sep 21, 2022
Formally, originally a hackathon project, is legal collaboration company seeking to simplify legal processes and increase access to justice. Rather than deal with convoluted paperwork trails and complications, Formally allows users to easily hire and work with attorneys. Utilizing AI, Formally has served thousands of asylum seekers. In addition, they aid international founders in applying for visas to begin building their companies in the US. Formally’s innovative software has been celebrated for its accessibility, security, and thoughtful data privacy practices. The platform was founded by Amélie-Sophie Vavrovsky, ’18, who was inspired by her own immigration struggles. Formally took first place at Brown Venture Prize in 2019.
The platform announced in 2022 that it had raised a $2.3 million pre-seed round of funding led by Bessemer Venture Partners with participation from BBG Ventures, Unshackled Ventures, Ulu Ventures, Graph Ventures, Dorm Room Fund, and prominent angels including Kiwi Camara, CEO at legal tech giant DISCO. Read their Business Insider Profile here.
Photo Credit:Amélie-Sophie Vavrovsky
by Tori Gilbert | Sep 15, 2022
includesign aims to empower disabled individuals in the product design process. Their leading product is the LapSnap, a versatile, adaptive basket for wheelchair users. Features include a collapsible frame, adjustable strap, convenient pockets, and a comfortable padded base.
Founder Diana Perkins Kamada, ‘20 was a 2020 B-Lab alum and won the grand prize at the Future of Grocery Retail Pitch Competition hosted by Ahold Delhaize USA Companies and Venture Café. Diana also recently joined the board of RAMP, a RI nonprofit dedicated to disability advocacy and education and served as a panelist on the National Disability Institute’s Webinar “Entrepreneurs with Disabilities: An Emerging Force.”
Photo Credit: Diana Perkins Kamada
by Tori Gilbert | Sep 13, 2022
Liberare (formerly Intimately) creates functional & fashionable intimates that are easy to get on for all women, including disabled women. Using new fastening technology, Liberare allows for everyone to get dressed more easily, especially people with limited hand dexterity, wheelchair users, or live with other chronic conditions. Liberare was founded by Emma Butler ’20, a 2018 B-Lab alumnus and the 2020 BVP Second Place winner. Butler was inspired by her own mother’s chronic pain.
Recently, Liberare received $1 million in funding led by the British Fashion Council (BFC) and the UK-based venture capital firm Venrex. Liberare was also profiled by Vogue and Business Insider.
Photo Credit: Liberare
