by Jonas Clark | Sep 9, 2022
Omena is a non-profit organization committed to increasing awareness of emotional abuse in Madagascar’s educational system by providing tools for students to combat and stand up to abuse. Currently, Omena has 100+ volunteers around the world and has expanded to 13 countries (and counting). The Forbes 30 Under 30 accoladed organization was profiled in the Boston Globe here.
Omena was featured on MTVU Stories, now known as Cheddar University, which brought her story to the mainstream. The nonprofit is supported by the Clinton Foundation. Founder Francesca Raoelison, ’22 was a PEIR, Brown Venture Prize 2021 finalist, and 2019 B-Lab Alum.
Photo Credit: Francesca Raoelison
by Katie Calabro | Sep 5, 2022
Penta is a nonprofit social venture that repurposes second-hand and surplus medical equipment from the U.S. to bring high-quality, low-cost care to amputees around the world. Founders Trang Duong ‘18. Henry Iseman, and Victor Wang were inspired to find a solution for the roughly 90% of the world’s 100 million amputees who lack access to proper prosthetic care and equipment. Founded in 2018, Penta has expanded into 16 countries and partners with nonprofit organizations, healthcare institutions, and governments around the world.
Penta was the recipient of the first ever Brown Venture Prize in 2018, and won the Yale College Dean’s Challenge on Social Innovation in 2017. It was included on the Forbes 30 under 30 list for Healthcare in 2019, and was part of the Clinton Global Initiative University Innovation Fund. Read Penta’s feature in Inc. here.
From Left: Henry Iseman, Victor Wang, and Trang Duong
Photo Credit: Penta
by Tori Gilbert | Aug 27, 2022
Founded by Nicole Cuervo ‘16 in 2020, Springrose designs adaptive intimate apparel with the goal of improving the quality of life for women with limited mobility (eg. conditions like arthritis, shoulder injuries, MS, and stroke). Their innovative clothing technology empowers women to dress painlessly and independently.
Springrose’s journey began with an idea in 2015, was further pushed in ENGN 1010, and has since blossomed into a thriving venture, thanks to support from Brown Alumni mentors, Brad Falkof ’74 and Troy Henikoff ‘86 and successful fundraising efforts. It has raised an impressive $750K from grants and investors.
Springrose has also been a standout in various accelerator programs, including AARP Innovation Labs, Remarkable Accelerator, Zell Fellow, and 1871 LTNtech Founders. Their accolades include first place at the Kellogg Venture Challenge, third place at the Tulane Business Competition, and recognition as one of “100 Rising Latinx Founders to Watch” by Inicio Ventures.
To learn more check out their feature in AgeTech and Cerebral Palsy Foundation podcasts.
Photo Credit: Nicole Cuervo
