Best Startup
At Best Startup US we track over 1,000,000 US startups and over 3 million people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top New York based Founder operating in the Consumer space. If you think a Founder is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on editor@beststartup.us.
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Fabrice Grinda
Co-Founder of FJ Labs
Fabrice Grinda is among the world’s leading Internet entrepreneurs and investors. He has over $300 million in exits and 150 angel investments. Fabrice has served as CEO for three multinational companies and has an impressive track record as an early investor in Alibaba, Lending Club, Delivery Hero and Brightroll. Fabrice is currently investing in startups and building companies through FJ Labs, which he cofounded with business partner Jose Marin. Fabrice is also co-founder and executive chairman of Beepi, a next generation used car marketplace. Beepi recently raised $60 million in series B funding. Prior to FJ Labs and Beepi, Fabrice was co-founder and co-CEO of OLX, one of the largest websites in the world with over 200 million unique visitors per month. The company operates in 40 countries and has over 1,200 employees. OLX is the largest classifieds site in India, Brazil, Pakistan, Poland, Ukraine, Portugal and many other emerging markets. Before OLX, Fabrice was co-founder and CEO of Zingy, one of the largest wireless media companies in the Americas. Fabrice successfully grew the business to $200 million in sales in four years. Fabrice started his entrepreneurial journey in 1998, at 23, when he co-founded and was CEO of Aucland. Soon after, Aucland grew into one of the largest auction sites in Europe. Before his entrepreneurial endeavors, Fabrice worked as a management consultant for McKinsey & Company. Fabrice holds a BA in Economics from Princeton University. He graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1996, and was awarded the Halbert White prize, given to the most distinguished economics student, as well as The Wolfe Balleisen memorial prize, awarded for best thesis. In his free time, Fabrice likes to travel the world, kitesurf, play tennis, and blog about his personal and professional life at www.fabricegrinda.com.
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About FJ Labs: FJ Labs is a stage-agnostic investment firm that focuses on marketplaces and consumer facing startups.
Itai Tsiddon
Co-Founder of Lightricks
Itai Tsiddon was one of the 5 co-founders at Lightricks, an Israeli unicorn. He leads two deals a year, broadly ranging from 6-60m in size (early A to Pre IPO). Itai serves as a board member at Lightricks, Frame.io, Homesome, and Standard Bots and led Forter’s Series E pre IPO fundraise with Bessemer and Felix capital joining his TS as a solo capitalist.
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About Lightricks: Lightricks develops creativity tools that enable its users to craft and share visual content on mobile devices.
Shawn Carter
Founder of Marcy Venture Partners
Jay-Z is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer and entrepreneur. He has sold approximately 50 million albums worldwide, earned 14 Grammy Awards, leading him to become one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America with a net worth of approximately $450 million as of 2011. Since 1996, 10-time Grammy award winner, Carter has dominated the rap industry and set trends for a generation. Founder and chairman of Rocawear, he is also co-owner of the NJ Nets, 40/40 sportsclubs, Translation Advertising and Carol’s Daughter skin line, as well involved in a partnership with Iconix Brand Group. After three successful years as President and CEO of Def Jam Recordings, where he fostered the careers of international stars Rihanna, Ne-Yo and Kanye West, he entered into a partnership with Live Nation to form Roc Nation. Through Roc Nation, he released the Blueprint 3, his 11th #1 album, putting him ahead of Elvis for most #1 albums by any solo artist. In 2010, he added author to his resume and claimed a spot on the New York Times bestseller’s list with his critically acclaimed debut book, “DECODED.” He continues his philanthropic work through his Water For Life initiative and the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation.
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About Marcy Venture Partners, Project Panther, Roc Nation, Shawn Carter: Marcy Venture Partners is a venture capital firm investing on consumer, culture, and mass-market brands.
Jay Brown
Co-Founder & Managing Director of Marcy Venture Partners
Jay Brown has served as a member of our Board since January 2014. Jay Brown, a 20-year music industry executive veteran, fostered the careers and discovered countless superstars including Rihanna and Ne-Yo and worked with artists such as NAS. Jay Brown is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Roc Nation, a full-service entertainment company started in 2008. Mr. Brown currently overseas the careers of a diverse Roc Nation roster comprised of Grammy award winning and critically acclaimed recording artists, writers and producers including Rihanna, Shakira, Timbaland, Kylie Minogue and Santigold. Prior to Roc Nation, Mr. Brown served as Executive Vice President for Def Jam Recordings from 2005 to 2008 and as Senior Vice President of Elektra Records from 1999 to 2004. Our Board has concluded that Mr. Brown should serve on the Board based upon his experience as an entrepreneur and senior executive and his broad knowledge of the music and entertainment industries.
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About Marcy Venture Partners, Roc Nation: Marcy Venture Partners is a venture capital firm investing on consumer, culture, and mass-market brands.
Albert Saniger
Founder & CEO of nate
Albert Saniger is the founder and CEO at nate. An experienced coder at a young age, Albert worked through school by teaching students to code – some going on to win national competitions under his guidance. While expanding his knowledge of computing systems, these early teaching experiences also inspired an interest in furthering human potential and empowering personal achievements. After getting his MBA at London Business School and working at Amazon, Albert set out to explore how intelligent automation could facilitate human-driven decisions. In 2018, Albert founded nate and worked with a young team of engineers to develop the app and its AI technology – introducing the first product to automate the mobile checkout process at any online retailer on behalf of a customer. By April 2020, nate had closed the largest series seed round for a consumer software company of the year and launched to the public that summer. Albert’s desire to foster individual potential extended to his approach to building his team, valuing character over experience and hiring early talent. Furthermore honoring the support he received from mentors in the beginning stages of the company, Albert established the nate career accelerator to offer students and early graduates management experience, opportunities for individual media exposure and contribution to high level brand strategy and execution. Albert has been vocal on the topics of workforce transformation, inclusive work culture and leading a new social age of ecommerce and has been featured as a speaker at Brown Entrepreneurship Program and Dive In podcast, Yale’s Elmseed Enterprise Fund, Columbia Organization of Rising Entrepreneurs, and other distinct communities and institutions including NYU, Wharton, Fordham, Stanford Business School, Syracuse University’s iSchool, Rutgers, and others.
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About nate: nate is a shopping app that enables users to buy a product from any online retailer with the click of a button.
Matt Meeker
Founder and CEO of BarkBox
Mr. Matt Meeker is a Co-Founder of Bark & Co. and serves as its Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Meeker co-founded Wee Web, Inc. and serves as its Chief Executive Officer. He serves as Vice President of Member Experience at MeetUp, Inc. He co-founded MeetUp, Inc. in 2002 and served as its Advisor. He serves as a Venture Partner of Resolute Ventures, Inc. He served as the President at Bark & Co. He was an Entrepreneur in Residence at DogPatch Labs. He is the Organizer of .
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About BARK, BarkBox, Resolute Ventures: Barkbox is a subscription-based e-commerce and content company for dog lovers.
Michael Duda
Founder & Managing Partner of Bullish
Mike is one of two Managing Partners responsible for the overall health of Bullish. A relentless business leader, he has a well-rounded and diverse career that includes experience in brand management, business/corporate development, interactive and B2C investing. Over the course of his 20+ years in business, Mike has worked on a wide-range of brands including Birchbox, Casper, Citibank, DirecTV, Google, TripAdvisor, Under Armour and vineyard vines. He has spoken at numerous industry events, named one of Crain New York’s “Top 40 Under 40,” Business Insider’s “Top Investors” and ADWEEK’s “Best Advertising Voices on Twitter.” Prior to founding Bullish and its predecessor firm (Consigliere Brand Capital) in 2010, Mike spent 13 years at Deutsch Inc., where he became the youngest Partner in the company’s 35-year history overseeing business development, marketing and corporate strategy. He has held other industry roles including CEO of WPP-backed Johannes Leonardo.
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About Bullish: Bullish is an early-stage consumer investment firm and strategy-led brand agency.
Alexandra Friedman
Co-Founder & Co-CEO of LOLA
Alexandra Friedman is the co-founder of LOLA, the first lifelong brand for a woman’s body. LOLA aims to address every reproductive life stage with a commitment to product transparency and a community built on candid dialogue about all of the things we don’t openly talk about. Before founding LOLA with her co-founder Jordana in 2015, Alex led analytics at Flurry Analytics (acquired by Yahoo in August 2014) and was a consultant at Boston Consulting Group in New York. She has an MBA from Wharton Business School and received her undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College. Over the years, she has been actively involved in the Young Women’s Leadership Network, an education non-profit.
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About LOLA: LOLA provides a subscription service intended to deliver feminine care essentials.
Jordana Kier
Co-Founder & Co-CEO of LOLA
Jordana Kier is Co-Founder at LOLA and focuses on operations, supply chain, finance, and team-building. She is a native New Yorker, and has been a tampon user since her very first period. She loves Hans Zimmer movie scores, competitive sports, and road trips in foreign countries.
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About LOLA: LOLA provides a subscription service intended to deliver feminine care essentials.
Benedict Dohmen
Co-Founder of Benitago Group
Benedict Dohmen is the Co-Founder at Benitago. He graduated from the University of Cambridge.
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About Benitago Group: Benitago connects with self-starting Amazon business owners who are looking to sell their businesses.
Santiago Nestares
Co-Founder of Benitago Group
Santiago is the Co-Founder of Benitago Group. He earned a degree in Computer Science, Psychology, and Economics at Dartmouth CollegeDartmouth College.
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About Benitago Group: Benitago connects with self-starting Amazon business owners who are looking to sell their businesses.
Vishal Garg
Founder & CEO of Better.com
Vishal Garg is the Founder and CEO of Better.com, a digital-first homeownership company whose services included mortgage, real estate, title, and homeowners insurance. A serial entrepreneur, the day that he came up with the idea behind Better.com, Vishal was simply looking to purchase a home for his growing family (and not start a new company). When Vishal’s effort to buy his family’s dream house was defeated by an antiquated homeownership process, the vision and mission for Better.com was born. Vishal Garg’s Better.com all-in-one digital platform takes customers through the entire home-buying process, from finding an agent to securing a mortgage (or refinanced loan) to shopping for insurance. To date, under Vishal Garg’s leadership, Better.com has done over $46.9 BN in home loans and provided over $16B in cumulative coverage through Better Cover and Better Settlement Services, the insurance divisions of Better.com. Better.com has raised over $400M in equity capital and is backed by L Catterton, Kleiner Perkins, Goldman Sachs, American Express Ventures, Citi and other investors. In December 2019, HousingWire honored Vishal Garg with the “2019 Vanguard Award”, which recognizes leaders of businesses contributing to the growth of the housing economy. In July of 2020, Comparably surveyed employees of color to rate the top CEOs driving diversity and inclusive work culture. The results ranked Garg at #13 out of 25, placing him alongside leaders at organizations like Microsoft and Google. In September of 2020, Business Insider named Vishal Garg as one of the “100 People Transforming Business in 2020”. And, in October of 2020, Ernst & Young included Garg on the “Entrepreneur of the Year 2020” list. Vishal Garg is also the founding partner of 1/0 Capital. Previously, Vishal was Co-head and Managing Partner, ARAM ABS Group ($6 B+ assets) and the Founder and President & CFO of MyRichUncle (2005 NASDAQ IPO), which he founded at the age of 21 and built into the fourth largest private student loan originator in the US. Prior toMyRichUncle, Vishal was an analyst in the Mergers & Acquisition dept. at Morgan Stanley, and a frontier emerging markets portfolio manager for the Strategos Fund. He is a graduate of NYU Stern with the highest honors.
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About Better.com, Phoenix Holdings: Better.com is a homeownership journey platform that utilizes technology to change the way people buy and own a home.
Jonathan Regev
Co-Founder, CEO of The Farmer’s Dog
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About The Farmer’s Dog: A smarter, healthier pet food — delivered. #longlivedogs
Brett Podolsky
Co-Founder of The Farmer’s Dog
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About The Farmer’s Dog: A smarter, healthier pet food — delivered. #longlivedogs
Genevieve Ryan Bellaire
Founder & CEO of Realworld
Genevieve Ryan Bellaire is the Founder and CEO of Realworld, a company that provides a simple way to navigate adulthood and its life moments, with help from your community. Genevieve has had a broad array of professional experience across business, law, and government. An attorney by profession, she received her JD/MBA from Georgetown University, and worked on strategic partnerships at Goldman Sachs until leaving to found Real World Playbook. Genevieve received her B.A. in Politics-International Relations from Princeton University, where she held numerous campus leadership roles and graduated with Honors in her department. Beyond her work in the entrepreneurial world, Genevieve is passionate about women’s empowerment, education, and national security. She currently serves as a member of the Pencils of Promise Leadership Council, the Acumen Fund Young Professional Committee, and the Washington Institute for Business, Government, and Society.
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About Realworld: The #1 platform to navigate adulthood
Maisha Leek
Operating Partner and Head of Founder & Studio Ops of Human Ventures
Maisha Leek is chief of staff at United Masters and Translation. Prior to Translation, she served as the National Vice President, Government Relations for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America where she led a team advocating for 4 million youth across the country, including on military installations and Native lands. Before BGCA, she served as senior advisor to the President of Howard University, and chief of staff to a senior member of Congress. She also led a team in establishing the Equity and Excellence Commission at the U.S. Department of Education . During the Bush Administration, she was appointed to serve as special assistant to the Vice Chair of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. Maisha is a trustee of Trinity College – Washington DC and a member of the Corporate Advisory Council of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.
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About Human Ventures: Human Ventures is a business creation platform, comprised of a venture fund, studio and enterprise agency.
Joe Marchese
Co-Founder of Human Ventures
Joe Marchese is the Executive Chairman and lead investor in Human Ventures. Joe serves as president of Advanced Advertising Products at Fox Networks Group, where he leads operations in non-linear advertising products and services for 21st Century Fox’s global portfolio of channels. Joe was appointed to his current position after the company he founded, true[X], was acquired by 21st Century Fox in 2015. true[X], the leader in engagement advertising technologies, is now a part of the Advanced Advertising Products division. Joe is also the co-founder and Chairman of the Human company, Reserve. Prior to true[X], Joe spent several years as a television executive at the cable network Fuse TV, where, as SVP of Digital and Advertising. Joe currently serves on the board of trustees of the Paley Center for Media and the Board of Directors of the Tribeca Film Institute. Mr. Marchese holds a B.A. in Economics and Finance from Bentley University. He lives in New York with his wife Christie and their dog
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About Attention Capital, Casa Komos Beverage Group, Human Ventures: Human Ventures is a business creation platform, comprised of a venture fund, studio and enterprise agency.
Amish Jani
Founder & Partner of FirstMark
Amish Jani is a founder and Managing Director of FirstMark and has been an active venture capitalist for nearly 20 years. He invests broadly across the cloud and Internet landscape, including SaaS applications, ecommerce, infrastructure and more. Amish has been recognized by CB Insights and the New York Times as a Top 100 Venture Capitalist globally. Amish has invested in industry-defining companies that include Shopify (NYSE: SHOP), InVision, Pendo, Starry, Tracelink, Frame.io, Guru, Bluecore, IMImobile (LSE: IMO), Schoology (acquired by PowerSchool), Boomi (acquired by Dell), Aveksa (acquired by EMC), and many more. Prior to founding FirstMark, Amish served as a Partner with Pequot Ventures. Amish holds both a B.S. and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
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About FirstMark: FirstMark Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm that partners with exceptional entrepreneurs.
Rick Heitzmann
Founder, Partner, and Managing Director of FirstMark
Rick Heitzmann is a Founder and Managing Director at FirstMark Capital. Mr. Heitzmann focuses on investments in emerging media, advertising, data, and information services. Rick has led or co-led many investments in market leaders in commerce (StubHub, acquired by eBay), gaming (Riot Games, acquired by Tencent), data services (First Advantage, NASDAQ: FADV; acquired by First American), advertising technology (Tapad), media (Pinterest), and more. Previously, Rick was a Managing Director at Pequot Ventures, and a founding member of the senior management team at First Advantage (NASDAQ: FADV). At US Search, Rick, as the Senior Vice President of corporate development and member of the Board of Directors, led the public company turnaround. Mr. Heitzmann graduated from Georgetown University with a B.S. in Business Administration and earned his M.B.A. from The Harvard Business School. Rick sits on the Board of Directors of Pinterest, Dashlane, Omaze, and Hubble Contacts among others. Rick is also on the Board of Directors of the New York Venture Capital Association.
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About FirstMark: FirstMark Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm that partners with exceptional entrepreneurs.
Jennifer Hyman
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Rent the Runway
Jennifer Hyman is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Rent the Runway, a fashion company with a technology soul that is disrupting the way women get dressed. In her role, she sets the strategic priorities of the business and leads the company in growing all areas of the business, including marketing, technology, product, and analytics. She co-founded Rent the Runway in 2009 with Jennifer Fleiss, and has since raised $126 million in venture capital, growing the business to over 6 million members, 950 employees and 400 designer brands. Jennifer has been honored with numerous recognitions including: Forbes’ “Women Entrepreneurs to Watch”, TriBeCa Film Festival’s “Disruptive Innovation Awards”, Fortune Magazine’s “Trailblazers, 11 People Changing Business in 2013,” “Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs,” and “40 Under 40”; Inc. Magazine’s “30 Under 30”; and Fast Company’s “Most Influential Women in Technology.” She has been a featured speaker at Fortune Brainstorm Tech, the Forbes Women’s Summit, Tech Crunch Disrupt, and Marie Claire’s Power Trip, and has appeared as a guest on NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, and CNN Money, among many others. In 2015, Jennifer launched the Rent the Runway Foundation with Jennifer Fleiss to inspire and ignite the next generation of female entrepreneurs. The foundation’s first initiative, in partnership with UBS, is Project Entrepreneur, a venture competition and educational program designed to provide women entrepreneurs nationwide with the tools to build high-growth, high-impact businesses. Prior to Rent the Runway, Jennifer was the Director of Business Development at IMG where she focused on the creation of new media businesses for IMG’s Fashion Division. She also ran an online advertising sales team at WeddingChannel.com and was an in-house entrepreneur at Starwood Hotels, creating Starwood’s first wedding business which was recognized on the Oprah Winfrey Show for its innovation. She received her BA from Harvard University and MBA from Harvard Business School. Jennifer is a Bloomberg Fellow, a TechStars mentor, and a member of both the Entrepreneurship Board at the Fashion Institute of Technology and the Women in Business Board at Harvard University. She is an investor in and advisor to several high-growth startups throughout the U.S.
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About Brit + Co, Rent the Runway, Zalando: Rent the Runway is an online e-commerce website that allows women to rent designer apparel and accessories.
Renata Mutis Black
Co-Founder of EBY
Renata M. Black is the founder of EBY. She founded Seven Bar Foundation in 2009 after having studied microfinance under Noble Peace Prize winner – Muhammad Yunus in 2006 and launching a microfinance program in India for over 800 women in 2007. Black then came back to the states to develop the brand for the Empowerment of Women – a “ladder” icon symbolizing extending ladders to women out of poverty and into business. To reach a critical mass with the “ladder” icon she created and trademarked couture and luxury lingerie shows in the 15 top cities. Thus far Lingerie Miami, Lingerie New York and Lingerie London have redirected the power of the luxury lingerie industry to empowerment of women with over 4 billion media impressions. The shows developed cause-marketing campaigns with Asscher Diamonds, Fusion Beauty, Kraft Foods and Diageo to note a few yielding nearly half a million in proceeds to the Foundation impacting 2,500 women locally and globally. On October 24, 2012 at Lingerie London alongside Agent Provocateur and Atsuko Kudo, Black launched the for-profit Empowered By You brand with the ethos – Whatever Empowers You, Empowers Women Everywhere. 20% of every sale goes to the empowerment of women via Seven Bar Foundation. The product found in over 40 stores is a lifestyle brand now expanding into designer collaborations. Black is currently the vice chair of the CSR Network, a member of 85 Broads, and a member of Women on Wall Street and Advertising Women of New York. She earned her degree at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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About EBY, Seven Bar Foundation: EBY is a membership-based company driving profits with purpose.
Omar Rada
Founder of Misen
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About Misen: Misen manufactures and sells quality tools that are essential for great cooking.
Trung Pham
Founder, CEO of RYSE
Co-founder of a rapidly growing entertainment app in Toronto, also part-time stunt double for Elon Musk.
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About RYSE: RYSE is an IoT company that develops smart shade solutions. We are the world’s most intelligent window shade automation platform.
Mehmet Oz
Co-Founder of Sharecare
Dr. Oz has won Nine Daytime Emmy® Awards for “The Dr. Oz Show” and is an attending physician at NY Presbyterian- Columbia Medical Center. He still performs dozens of heart operations annually. His research interests include heart replacement surgery, minimally invasive surgery, alternative medicine and health care policy. He has authored over 400 original publications, book chapters, and medical books, has received numerous patents, and still performs heart surgery. He also authors a newspaper column syndicated by Hearst in 175 markets internationally. Dr. Oz was born in Cleveland, Ohio, raised in Delaware and received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University (1982) and obtained a joint MD and MBA (1986) from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Wharton Business School. He was awarded the Captain’s Athletic Award for leadership in college and elected Class President twice followed by President of the Student Body during medical school. He lives in Northern New Jersey with his wife Lisa of 32 years and their four children, Daphne, Arabella, Zoe and Oliver and three grandchildren Philomena, John and Domenica. Previously, Dr. Oz was a featured health expert on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” for six seasons, spanning over 60 episodes. He also served as chief medical consultant to Discovery Communications, where his “Transplant!” series won both a Freddie and a Silver Telly award. He also served as medical director of Denzel Washington’s “John Q” and performed in the hip-hop video “Everybody” as part of the Let’s Move Campaign. Dr. Oz authored eight New York Times Best Sellers, including “Food Can Fix It”, “You: The Owner’s Manual”, “You: The Smart Patient”, “YOU: On a Diet”, “YOU: Staying Young”, “YOU: Being Beautiful”, “YOU: Having a Baby”, “YOU: The Owner’s Manual for Teens”, as well as the award-winning “Healing from the Heart”. He has a regular column in Oprah Magazine and his article “Retool, Reboot, and Rebuild” for Esquire magazine was awarded the 2009 National Magazine Award for Personal Service. He co-founded Sharecare.com which won “Best Medical App” award for AskMD in 2014 and its DoctorOz app was nominated for an Emmy in 2017. In 2003, Dr Oz founded Healthcorps which emulates the Peacecorps by putting energetic recent college graduates into high schools around the country to reach diet, fitness, and mental resilience. Over a million teens have been influenced this nationwide program. In addition to belonging to every major professional society for heart surgeons, Dr. Oz has been named Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, Forbes’ most influential celebrity, Esquire magazine’s 75 Most Influential People of the 21st Century, a Global Leader of Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum, Harvard’s 100 Most Influential Alumni, as well as receiving the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and AARP 50 Influential people over 50. He won the prestigious Gross Surgical Research Scholarship, and he has received an honorary doctorate from Istanbul University. He was voted “The Best and Brightest” by Esquire Magazine, a “Doctor of the Year” by Hippocrates magazine and “Healer of the Millennium” by Healthy Living magazine. Dr. Oz is annually elected as a highest quality physician by the Castle Connolly Guide as well as other major ranking groups. He is also an honorary police surgeon for New York City.
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About Sharecare: Sharecare is a health and wellness engagement platform providing consumers with information, programs and resources to improve their health.
Charles Desmarais
Co-CEO & Co-Founder of Athena Club
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About Athena Club: Athena Club provides a wide range of feminine care products.
Maria Markina
Co-CEO & Co-Founder of Athena Club
Maria is the Co-Founder at Athena Club, a feminine care company aiming to make women’s day to day lives easier through an easy and personable service. Prior to launching Athena Club, Maria worked at McKinsey and Company.
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About Athena Club: Athena Club provides a wide range of feminine care products.
Shereen Anis
Founder of Kid Koderz
Shereen Anis bootstrapped, created and is the Founder of Kid Koderz
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About Kid Koderz, Representation Counts: Technology Education Summer Camp and After School Enrichment Program for Kids/ Teens
Lloyd Gladstone
Founder, Chief Operating Officer of Prong
Founder of Prong.
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About Crush Roulette, Prong: Prong is a consumer electronics company that is dedicated to designing and manufacturing innovative accessories for electronic devices.
Chris Bridges
CEO & Co-Founder of VITAL CARD
Co-Founder of VITAL CARD.VITAL is the world’s first social credit card that offers unlimited cash back rewards when you use it and share it. The more you share, the more you earn!
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About Grays Peak Capital LP, VITAL CARD: VITAL is the credit card that pays you to share and spend responsibly.
Jorge Perdomo
Inventor, Co-Founder of goTenna
Jorge leads the expansion of goTenna’s business into professional markets. Earlier on, Jorge headed up the product team. He previously worked as a data analyst and solutions architect.
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About goTenna, Lima Consulting Group, Lima Consulting Group: GoTenna is advancing universal access to connectivity by building intelligent and scalable mobile mesh networks.
Brian Berger
Founder & CEO of Mack Weldon
Brian Berger is founder & CEO of Mack Weldon
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About BDB Ventures, Mack Weldon: Mack Weldon is an e-commerce company that sells men’s underwear, t-shirts, and socks.
Morgan Hirsh
Founder & CEO of Public Goods
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About Public Goods: Making healthy products affordable
Jason Bravman
Co-Founder of Billie
Jason Bravman is the Co-Founder of Billie.
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About Billie: Billie is a wellness company that offers shaving supplies and body products.
Toni Cruthirds
Chief of Staff to Co-Founders of Billie
Toni Cruthirds works as VP and Chief of Staff to Co-Founders at Billie.
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About Billie: Billie is a wellness company that offers shaving supplies and body products.
Jonathan Keidan
Founder & Managing Partner of Torch Capital
Jonathan is the Founder of Torch Capital. A long time entrepreneur and investor, he has spent his career at the intersection of the media, technology and entertainment industries. He is the Co-Founder of digital media company InsideHook and has spent a decade as an active early stage investor and advisor to a number of New York and LA’s top start-ups.
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About The Council on Foreign Relations, Torch Capital: Torch Capital is an early-stage consumer-focused venture capital firm.
Adam Smith
Co-Founder, Head of Strategy of Descartes Labs
Adam has 20 years of executive experience in technology, finance, and entrepreneurship. He built and launched his first company (software QA) while in college. He’s worked in management consulting, investment banking, the hedge fund industry, and most recently with two startups in the Education Technology sector. He has a BA from Harvard College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
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About Descartes Labs: Optimizing sustainable sourcing, commodity price forecasting, & mineral exploration through the automated analysis of geospatial data
Jim Kaplan
Founder, Managing Partner of Chasella
Jim Kaplan is the co-founder of CHASELLA, a private equity firm that specializes in real estate investment and development, and in supporting new products and services across a variety of industries that range from smart-home technologies to financial services and consumer retail. He is an advisor to a number of early-stage firms, and works closely with their teams to help maximize efficiency and growth. In addition, he is a dedicated member of the Board of Advisors to Kids Need More, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that helps children and families afflicted with cancer.
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About Bevi, Chasella, Thnks: A results oriented private equity and early stage investment firm that is predicated on value-creation through innovation and trust.
Josh Udashkin
Co-Founder of Judy
Josh Udashkin is the Co-Founder of Judy.
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About Judy: Judy offers a collection of ready-kits for natural disasters and home emergencies.
Simon Huck
Co-Founder and CEO of Judy
Simon Huck is the Co-Founder and CEO of Judy.
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About Judy: Judy offers a collection of ready-kits for natural disasters and home emergencies.
Maximus Yaney
CoFounder & CEO of Kangaroo
Maximus Yaney is a disruptor, entrepreneur, engineer, and avid inventor. A serial dreamer and company builder, Maximus is Co-Founder and CEO of Kangaroo.
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About Ellis Carpet Cleaning, Kangaroo: Kangaroo is an electronics company that provides simple home security systems.
David Beisel
Co-Founder & Partner of NextView Ventures
David Beisel is a co-founder and Partner at NextView Ventures, a seed stage venture capital firm with offices in New York and Boston. The NextView Ventures team are high conviction, hands-on seed investors, championing founders who want to redesign the Everyday Economy. David’s investments include Attentive, TripleLift, Code Climate, Parsec, BookBub, thredUP, MealPal, The Nudge, Hatch, and TapCommerce (acquired by Twitter for $100M). Prior to NextView, David served as a Vice President at Venrock (early stage VC firm originally established as the venture capital arm of the Rockefeller family). Previously, David co-founded Sombasa Media, an e-mail marketing company best known for its flagship property BargainDog.com, which he grew to 5M registered members. Sombasa was successfully acquired by About.com, which was soon after acquired by Primedia (NYSE: PRM), where he was Vice President of Marketing. David’s educational background includes an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and an AB in Economics, magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, from Duke University.
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About NextView Ventures: NextView Ventures invests in companies that use technology to drive a brighter collective future.
Siva Namasivayam
Co-Founder, Board Member & Chief Executive Officer of Cohere Health
Prior to co-founding Cohere Health, Siva was a founding partner of SCIO Health Analytics which served over fifty Fortune 500 clients. Siva’s experience also includes serving as SVP, Chief Revenue Officer at MphasiS, SVP, Payer Services at Dell, and Senior Software Engineer at Intel. Siva received his bachelor’s degree from the National Institute of Technology in Tiruchirappalli. He holds a master’s in computer science from the University of Pittsburgh as well as an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan.
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About Cohere Health: Cohere Health is a SaaS company that focuses on aligning patients, physicians, and health plans to create optimal care journeys.
Emily Weiss
Founder and CEO of Glossier
Emily Weiss is the founder and CEO of Glossier, a direct-to-consumer beauty company that leverages content and community to power a superior shopping experience. Emily is heavily involved in product development, creative and brand marketing, ensuring that all products and content are created with the signature Glossier voice. Founded in 2014, Glossier has 150 employees and over $86M in venture capital funding. The company has won Women Wear Daily Beauty Inc.’s 2015 Digital Innovator of the Year award and is one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2017. Emily has been included in Forbes’ 30 Under 30, Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business 2015 and AdWeek Top 20 Content Creators 2016. Emily lives in New York City.
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About Glossier, Into The Gloss: Glossier is a direct-to-consumer beauty company that leverages content and community to power a superior shopping experience.
Tim Armstrong
Founder, CEO of the dtx company
Tim Armstrong is the Founder and CEO of the dtx company, where he is focused on empowering consumers and brands to build direct relationships. Armstrong founded a Boston newspaper after graduating from Connecticut College. In 1995, he moved to Seattle to join Paul Allen’s first internet company, Starwave, which was acquired by Disney. Armstrong moved to New York with Disney and worked at ABC/ESPN Internet Ventures. After Disney, he joined Florida Governor Rick Scott’s health-focused cable and internet company, America’s Health Network, which was later sold to News Corp. Armstrong then went on to be a founding team member of Snowball, which went on to IPO on the Nasdaq. Armstrong left Snowball in 2000 to join Google as its first New York employee; he left Google after almost a decade serving as President of the Americas and as a member of Google’s global executive team. He joined AOL as Chairman and CEO to spin the company out of Time Warner and launch AOL as a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange. After turning AOL around and outperforming the S&P 500 during his tenure as CEO, he sold the company to Verizon Communications. Armstrong joined Verizon as CEO of its digital media division, Oath, and served as a member of its executive team. Armstrong serves on the boards of Booking Holdings (NASDAQ), Tech:NYC as co-founder, Greenwich Academy for Girls as Chairman, Connecticut College Athletic Club as co-founder, Waterside School and US Olympic & Paralympic Foundation as trustee. He also serves as a loving husband and dad, as well as lacrosse and basketball coach. Armstrong is an avid New England sports fan and Massachusetts native. He is part Camel (Connecticut College graduate) and part Spartan (Lawrence Academy graduate).
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About AOL, Tech:NYC, the dtx company: Our mission is direct to everything. Our products Flowcode and Flowpage create direct connections between consumers and brands.
Jeffrey Raider
Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Harry’s
As co-founder of both Harry’s and Warby Parker, Jeff Raider aims to build companies and brands that people like more. Harry’s ambition is to create exceptional shaving and personal care products that better meet the needs of modern men. Prior to Harry’s, Raider co-founded Warby Parker, the transformative lifestyle brand that offers designer eyewear at a revolutionary price while leading the way for socially conscious businesses. In May 2019, Harry’s Inc. announced a combination with Edgewell Personal Care to create a next-generation consumer products platform. Raider will serve as co-president of US operations at Edgewell upon the transaction closing.
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About Harry’s, Warby Parker: Harry is a developer of an online platform used to sell shaving equipment and accessories for men.
Andy Katz-Mayfield
Founder & Co-CEO of Harry’s
Andy Katz-Mayfield is co-founder and co-CEO of Harry’s. Prior to co-founding Harry’s, Andy worked at Brighter.com for business development and strategy position. He holds an MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business and a BA degree in public policy from Duke University.
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About Harry’s: Harry is a developer of an online platform used to sell shaving equipment and accessories for men.
Ronn Torossian
CEO and Founder of 5W Public Relations
Ronn Torossian is the founder and CEO of 5W Public Relations, one of the largest independently-owned PR firms in the United States. With over 20 years of experience crafting and executing powerful narratives, Torossian is one of America’s most prolific and well-respected Public Relations professionals. Since founding 5WPR in 2003, he has led the company’s growth, overseeing more than 200 professionals in the company’s headquarters in midtown Manhattan. With clients spanning corporate, technology, consumer and crisis, in addition to digital marketing and public affairs capabilities, 5WPR is regularly recognized as an industry leader and has been named “PR Agency of the Year” by the American Business Awards on multiple occasions. Throughout his career, Torossian has worked with some of the world’s most visible companies, brands and organizations. His strategic, resourceful approach has been recognized with numerous awards including being named the Stevie American Business Awards 2020 Entrepreneur of the Year, the American Business Awards PR Executive of the Year, twice over, an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year semi-finalist, Metropolitan Magazine’s Most Influential New Yorker, a 2020 Top Crisis Communications Professional by Business Insider, and a recipient of Crain’s New York 2021 Most Notable in Marketing & PR. Torossian is known as one of the country’s foremost experts on crisis communications, and is called on to counsel blue chip companies, top business executives and entrepreneurs both in the United States and worldwide. Torossian has lectured on crisis PR at Harvard Business School, appears regularly on CNN & CNBC, is a contributing columnist for Forbes and the New York Observer, and has authored two editions of his book, “For Immediate Release: Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results With Game-Changing Public Relations,” which is an industry best-seller. A NYC native, Torossian lives in Manhattan with his children. He is a member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO), and active in numerous charities.
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About 5W Public Relations, JetSmarter: 5WPR, a Public Relations and Communications Firm, specializes in public affairs, government relations & PR on B2C, & B2B market segments.
William McClelland
Co-Founder & Partner of Elizabeth Street Ventures
Co-founder & Partner at Elizabeth Street Ventures, an early stage investment firm focused on the digital consumer and next generation brands Co-founder of Bambike, a bamboo bicycle manufacturer and tour operator with an environmental & social mission based in the Philippines Prior to founding Elizabeth Street, I was a Partner at Grace Beauty Capital, a Managing Director/Portfolio Manager at Ironwood Capital Management and a Tech-Investment Banking Analyst at Lehman Brothers Investor @ Bambike, Birchbox, Costa Brazil, Current, Eloquii, Events.com, Glamsquad, High Court, MM. LaFleur, Parachute Home, Perch Interactive, Pixlee, Primary.com, Ringly, Rothy’s, SKU IQ, Sourceeasy, Supergoop!, ThirdLove, Trendalytics, Vengo. Graduated from Yale University with a BA double major in Economics and Anthropology.
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About Elizabeth Street Ventures: We are an early stage investment firm focused on the digital consumer and next generation brands that improve daily life
Piet Morgan
Founder & CEO of Hammerhead
Piet’s passion for biking began in his childhood in South Africa, where he cycled with his friend and classmate, Chris Froome, one of the best cyclists in a generation. The challenge of navigating on a bike became fully apparent to Piet when he biked across the United States, and he dedicated himself to a solution through the power of software. Piet graduated from Yale University, where he was a cyclist and member of the Yale Crew, stroking the varsity 8.
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About Hammerhead: Hammerhead is building the world’s best bicycle computer.
Laurence Wattrus
Co-Founder & SVP Hardware of Hammerhead
Laurence is a passionate mountain biker and engineer. He studied electromechanical engineering at the University of Cape Town while cycling and paddling competitively. He went on to complete his master’s degree at Brown University in 2013. Laurence is an expert navigator and seeker of innovation. From age twelve his room was covered in disassembled gadgets and bike parts. He spends time behind the camera and maintains a deep respect for nature.
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About Hammerhead: Hammerhead is building the world’s best bicycle computer.
Jon Morgan
Co-Founder & COO of Hammerhead
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About Hammerhead: Hammerhead is building the world’s best bicycle computer.
Alex Adelman
CEO and Co-Founder of Lolli
Alex Adelman is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Lolli. Alex was previously the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Cosmic (acquired by PopSugar, then Ebates). He was born in Charlotte, North Carolina and currently resides in New York, New York. He graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree in Economics.
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About Lolli: Lolli is a rewards app that allows users to earn bitcoin when shopping online.
Anna Harman
Co-Founder and CEO of Studs
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About Studs: Studs is a piercing studio meant to appeal to a conscious millennial and Gen-Z customer.
Nicole Zheng
Founder and President of Minim
Nicole Zheng is the Co- founder and CMO of Minim (OTCQB: MINM), the creator of innovative internet access products under the globally-recognized Motorola brand. While at Minim, she has been recognized by Entrepreneur as a Top Female Founder in the United States (2020). Prior to Minim, Nicole held the position of Chief Marketing Officer at cloud software companies Antidote Technologies and OnSIP (ACQ: Intrado). She has served as a board member of Alliance of Channel Women, a nonprofit on a mission to advance careers for women in the communications technology sector through education, community, and advocacy. Nicole holds a B.S. in Materials Science Engineering and B.S. in Engineering and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University, as well as business certifications from The Wharton School. She currently resides in Southampton, NY.
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About Minim, Zoom Telephonics (now Minim): Minim (NASDAQ: MINM) was born as a networking company and now delivers intelligent software to protect and improve the WiFi we depend on.
Craig Elbert
Co-Founder and CEO of Care/of
Craig Elbert is the co-founder and CEO of Care/of. Prior to co-founding Care/of, Craig served as the founder of Juxtapose and vice president of marketing at Bonobos.
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About Care/of: Care/of is a healthcare technology company dedicated to simplifying consumer health, starting with a fully personalized vitamin pack.
Akash Shah
Co-Founder & Head of Product of Care/of
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About Care/of: Care/of is a healthcare technology company dedicated to simplifying consumer health, starting with a fully personalized vitamin pack.
Jake Duneier
Founder & CEO of Purple Technologies
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About Clyde Duneier, Inc., Purple Technologies: Purple Technologies creates beautiful products that enhance the human experience.
Ilan Abehassera
Co-Founder, President & COO of Willo
Ilan Abehassera is the Co-Founder, President & COO at Willo.
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About Diaspora Ventures, Oui Are New York, Willo: Willo develops technology in oral health that automatically empowers everyone to achieve the best at-home clean possible.
Osman Khan
Co-Founder of Squared Circles
Osman Khan is the Co-Founder of Squared Circles.
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About Squared Circles: Squared Circles is a venture studio that focuses on operations, branding, capital, and talent.
Matt Bailey
Founder and CEO of GameOn
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About GameOn: The future of engaging superfans. If it’s on, it’s on.
Zach Pelka
Co-Founder of Une Femme Wines
Zach previously served as Founder & CEO of Paytronage, a marketplace for income share agreements (ISAs), an equity-based alternative to traditional student loans, which was eventually acquired by a South American fintech conglomerate, Lumni, Inc. After Paytronage, Zach served as the Head of Capital Markets & Investor Relations across 5 countries at Lumni, leading fundraising, capital structuring, and internal financial management. Previously, Zach had worked in the intersection of finance and technology for PJT Partners, Technology Crossover Ventures, Charles Schwab, and LPS Integration.
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About Lumni, Inc., Mineful, Une Femme Wines: Une Femme makes women-made wines for celebrating life’s big wins: the dream job, the IPO, the smashing of yet another glass ceiling.
Joseph Nakash
Founder & CEO of Jordache Corporation
Joseph Nakash is the founder of Jordache, a global brand that manufactures and designs denims. He founded the company in 1978 together with his brothers, Ralph and Avi.
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About Jordache Corporation: Jordache is a privately held company and an international apparel brand that designs and manufactures denims.
Jonathan B. Handler
Founder and CEO of YINC
Jonathan B. Handler is the founder & CEO at YINC.
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About YINC: YINC leverages Blockchain technology to transform the service-to-hire industry for consumers & real estate mgmt companies.
Brian Bushell
Co-Founder & CEO of By Humankind
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About By Humankind: By Humankind is a personal care designed to reduce single-use plastic waste in their daily routine.
Christine Hunsicker
Founder & CEO of CaaStle
Christine Hunsicker is the Founder and CEO of CaaStle, the revolutionary B2B technology platform empowering retailers and fashion brands to strategically participate in a new sharing economy. As consumers have embraced a shared economy in everything from music to transportation, Hunsicker identified an enthusiastic consumer appetite for a new economy for fashion and apparel. One that is access-oriented rather than just ownership-based. In 2011, she founded Gwynnie Bee, the first everyday fashion rental subscription service enabling women to discover and experience great clothing without limitations. By leveraging technology, Hunsicker pioneered the Clothing as a Service (CaaS) model, blending traditional ownership with a new form of access. As Gwynnie Bee shipped millions of boxes to customers, evidence of this consumer appetite for rental was apparent. It was time to roll out the ultimate vision for the company in 2018 with the launch of the CaaStle platform. CaaStle is a proprietary cloud-based, managed service that empowers retailers to provide CaaS to their customers as a complement to their existing retail business. Many retailers from Ann Taylor to Vince to Express to multiple contemporary brands soon to be announced, have already embraced the CaaStle Platform. In six short years, Hunsicker’s vision of creating a new economy for apparel is in full swing. A 1999 graduate of Princeton, Hunsicker quickly rose to a leadership role as the COO of the startup Right Media. Right Media transformed the ad exchange industry, an accomplishment that led Yahoo! to purchase the company and its technologies for $850M in 2007. Hunsicker maintained her entrepreneurial spirit by joining Drop.io as COO. Soon thereafter, Facebook acquired the company. With an outstanding pedigree of leading successful startups, Hunsicker has been recognized in Inc. Magazine’s Most Impressive Women Entrepreneurs, Crain’s 40 Under 40 annual power list as well as the National Retail Federation’s List of People Shaping Retail’s Future.
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About CaaStle, Gwynnie Bee: CaaStle offers a fully managed service that allows retailers to offer Clothing as a Service.
Yaniv Sarig
Co-Founder and CEO of Aterian
Yaniv Sarig is a Co-Founder and CEO at Mohawk Group.
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About Aterian: Aterian is the leading consumer product platform. Formerly Mohawk Group.
Michelle Muller
Co-Founder of Little Spoon
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About Kairos, Little Spoon: Little Spoon designs products for a child’s most formative years, starting with a baby’s first bites.
Diwakar Choubey
Co-Founder & CEO of MoneyLion
Diwakar Choubey (“Dee”) is the Founder & CEO of MoneyLion. After beginning his career in investment banking, Dee co-founded MoneyLion in 2013 with the goal of combining AI and machine-learning technology and behavioral science to bring consumer finance into the future. During his time on Wall Street, Dee held senior positions at leading financial firms including Goldman Sachs, Citadel and Barclays Capital, where he advised M&A and capital raising deals with a specific focus on payments and specialty finance companies. Dee holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with Honors from the University of Chicago.
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About MoneyLion: MoneyLion is a mobile banking platform for borrowing, saving, and investing.
Jennifer Blumenthal
CEO and Co-Founder of OneRecord
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About CommonWell Health Alliance, OneRecord, The Sequoia Project: Your Health, Your Life, Your OneRecord.
Rishi Kumar
Founder of Kashable
Rishi is Founder of Kashable, a financial technology company that provides socially responsible credit to employees of participating employers. As an MIT computer scientist and former derivatives trader on Wall Street, Rishi combined his engineering techniques in analyzing big data with cutting-edge financing and underwriting to create a cloud based solution that makes instant access to affordable on-demand credit available to every American worker. Rishi is also Founder of Coral Capital Solutions, a commercial finance operation that has provided over $1 billion in financing to small businesses since its inception. He has obtained a Master’s in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, a Bachelor of Science in Management, and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, all from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Rishi has received wide industry recognition as Top Technology Innovator in 2016 by Employee Benefits News, and CFA 40 Under 40 in 2017.
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About Kashable: Socially Responsible Credit for employees
Einat Steklov
Founder of Kashable
Einat, Managing Partner and In-House Counsel, leads Coral Capital’s strategic direction, business development and structuring of financing solutions. Her unique combination of business acumen with legal proficiency enables Coral Capital to offer its clients creative financing solutions in complex and special situations. Prior to joining Coral Capital, Einat was the president of a factoring company where she was responsible for business development, sales and branding; prior to that, Einat was a senior executive at a venture-capital-backed e-commerce company that she co-founded. Einat is a lawyer by training and had practiced law both in New York and in Israel. She holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and an LL.B. from Tel Aviv University School of Law. She served as a Lieutenant in the Israeli Defense Forces. Einat is a board member of the New York Contemporary Credit Club, and served for two years on the advisory board of the International Factoring Association.
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About Coral Capital Solutions, Kashable: Socially Responsible Credit for employees
Maxwell Bogue
Co-Founder of 3Doodler
Max Bogue is Co-Founder of WobbleWorks, Inc., the parent company of 3Doodler. Before founding WobbleWorks Inc., Max was a Director of Consumer Robotics at Handy Robotics and an R&D Manager at WowWee, where he launched products including Rovio, RS Media and ChatterBots. Max bas been described by the Huffington Post as “the happiest man at CES”, by PCMag as “one of the top 10 things at New York Toy Fair 2018” and was credited with bringing “The Craft (And The Joy) Back To Tech”. Max has been invited to keynote and speak at events worldwide, include LeWeb, CE Week and “tech+”, organized by the Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy. Max is a graduate of Purdue University’s Computer Science Program, having also attended USC’s Film Production Program.
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About 3Doodler: The 3Doodler is a 3D printing pen that enables users to draw in midair and create 3D versions of their doodles and ideas.
Sachin Doshi
Co-Founder of Scroll
Sachin Doshi is the Co-Founder at Scroll.
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About Scroll: Scroll is creating a sustainable experience that puts amazing content in front of engaged users without all the noise.
Crystal Etienne
CEO and Founder of Ruby Love
Crystal Etienne is the CEO and founder of Ruby Love.
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About Ruby Love: Ruby Love is proprietary hygiene wearables with properly angled & built-in technology for incontinence and feminine care.
Suze Dowling
Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer of Pattern
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About Pattern: Pattern is a family of brands that inspire to learn, explore, and lay the foundation for a more present life.
Ryan Melohn
COO & Co-Founder of Expansion Venture Capital
Ryan Melohn is co-founder and chief operating officer for Expansion VC. In addition Mr. Melohn is vice-president and property manager for the Expansion Group Inc. , a real estate corporation with holdings in both residential and commercial sectors. As chief facilitator for Expansion VC, Mr. Melohn has been responsible for successfully pairing potential entrepreneurs/companies with ideal investments. Ryan’s networking throughout the venture capital and corporate worlds, have proven extremely valuable to EVC. His portfolio includes but is not limited to Postmates, RelayRides, AngelList, Life360, Firebase, TheRealReal, Enigma.io, Compstak, Engrade and eShares among many others. Ryan’s philanthropic interests are varied and eclectic. He is particularly dedicated to Kids of Courage, an organization focused on improving the daily lives of children and adults battling catastrophic illnesses.
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About Expansion Venture Capital: Expansion Venture Capital is a New York-based company providing investment and mentorship to early- and growth-stage companies.
Hien Nguyen
Co-Founder and R&D Liasion of Function of Beauty
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About Function of Beauty, Vitalyze: Function of Beauty is a provider of personalized hair care products tailored to its customers’ specific hair profile and goals.
Sherrard Harrington
Founder & Chairman of EONXI
Sherrard Harrington is the Founder & Chairman @EonXI. He also serves as GP at EonXI Ventures.
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About Catamount Properties, EONXI: Venture Fund and Startup Studio
Sara Adam Slywka
Co-Founder & CMO of Nestig
Sara Adam Slywka currently works as the Co-Founder and CMO for Nestig. She previously worked at Curology as the Product Manager.
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About Nestig: Nestig provides modern nursery essentials such as cribs and mattresses.
Geoff Schneider
Founder & Managing Partner of Cava Capital
Geoff Schneider is the Founder and Managing Partner, Cava Capital, Co-Founder and CEO of GoSaga,Inc..
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About Cava Capital, GoSaga, LYMBR, Stretch Out Studios: Organic Development Stage (Cava Studio) through Early Growth.
Clement Kwan
Founder of BEBOE
Clement Kwan is a co-founder of BEBOE, a provider of sophisticated cannabis products intended to heighten individualized social settings.
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About BEBOE: BEBOE is a provider of sophisticated cannabis products intended to heighten individualized social settings.
Greg Davidson
CEO & Co-Founder of Lalo
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About Lalo: Lalo is a modern baby and toddler brand built for today’s families.
Christian Madsbjerg
Co-Founder of ReD Associates
Christian Madsbjerg is co-founder of ReD Associates and Senior Partner at ReD’s New York office. Christian has been leading projects and client programs since ReD’s foundation, focusing on ways to rigorously study human behavior and understand the use of particular methodologies in order to do so. He writes, teaches, and speaks about the kinds of methods and reasoning needed for fact-based investigations of human activity, emotions, and decision-making processes, and have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, The Economist, Fortune, Forbes, and many other leading publications. Christian’s latest book, “Sensemaking: The Power Of Humanities in the Age of the Algorithm”, is a defence of the humanities and social sciences as essential approach to understanding people.
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About ReD Associates: ReD Associates, a strategy consultancy, conducts research and analysis on human behavior in order to offer companies with consumer insights.
Emily Motayed
Co-Founder of Havenly
Emily Motayed is the Co-founder of Havenly. She previously served as a global consultant at American Express and Huron Consulting Group before making the transition to entrepreneur and startup founder alongside her sister Lee Mayer. Emily holds a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and a MBA from the Wharton School of Business.
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About Havenly: Havenly is a Denver-based online interior design company and e-commerce platform.
Michelle Mallette
Founder of Fjord Naturals
Michelle Mallette currently works as the business consultant for The Startup Club. She previously worked at Maybank Kim Eng Securities as the managing director of sales and business development.
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About Alouette & Co, Fjord Naturals, Hemp & Honey RX: Fjord Naturals offers gummy vitamin supplements for both adults and children.
Leslie A. Blodgett
Founder and Executive Chairman of Bare Escentuals
Leslie Blodgett A visionary recognized by WWD Beauty Inc. in 2014 as one of “The Big 10 leaders in beauty,” Leslie Blodgett has earned her influential position as a beauty industry magnate through a 20-year tenure at Bare Escentuals, forever transforming the conversation around beauty by utilizing unconventional marketing tactics, leveraging a diverse distribution model, and spearheading a personal, community-enabled approach.
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About Bare Escentuals, Broadway Angels: Bare Escentuals is one of the fastest growing prestige beauty companies in the U.S.
Seymour Segnit
Founder and President/CEO of MAGFAST
Seymour is MAGFAST’s eclectic, experienced, and extremely passionate CEO. Laser-focussed on customer experience, he builds the brand’s magic and drives down business risk to deliver a range of products he describes as ‘Far and away the best work of my life‘. Although he admits to having been ‘an almost superhumanly poor student’ Seymour actually studied engineering at Oxford University, and his long and varied career has since included stints at major ad agencies Ogilvy & Mather and Saatchi & Saatchi, as a radio personality at London’s mighty Capital Radio and co-founder of a venture-backed Silicon Valley startup. He’s also founded or attempted companies to help folks speed up their websites, transform the world of transportation and even get relief from fears and phobias! MAGFAST is his second USB charging company – the first grew far too quickly and, as he puts it ‘provided the excruciatingly painful experience needed to make MAGFAST a success!’ At MAGFAST, Seymour builds magic, and drives down risk. He has assembled a world-class team around him to deliver a range of products that Seymour calls ‘The best work of my life’.
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About MAGFAST: The new family of wireless, magnetic chargers, that’s changing charging for good.
Marah Lidey
Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Shine
Marah Lidey is the cofounder of Shine Text, helping people live more intentionally through the power of daily messaging. Her expertise lies at the intersection of millennials and messaging. Lidey previously directed mobile and social for brands like DoSomething.org, American Express, and Viacom. She earned her BA in Journalism at the University of Georgia and currently resides in Brooklyn. A World Economic Forum Global Shaper and one of the “Top 35 People to Watch in NYC Tech” by Built in NYC, Lidey also actively advocates for increasing racial and socioeconomic diversity in technology and entrepreneurship.
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About Shine: Shine is a self-care app and community for people with anxiety and depression.
Naomi Hirabayashi
Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Shine
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About Shine: Shine is a self-care app and community for people with anxiety and depression.
James Hagen
Co-Founder & CEO of Boka
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About Boka: Modern oral care powered by nature + science.
Lucy Lyle
Founder and CEO of Perch
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About Perch: Design at Work – at home, the office and everywhere in between. Coming soon. .
Abigail Stone
Co-Founder & CEO of Otherland
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About Otherland: Otherland is a digitally-native candle brand that transforms your home into an expressive world.
Sayyid Markar
Co-Founder & COO of Otherland
Sayyid Markar is the Co-Founder and COO of Otherland.
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About Otherland: Otherland is a digitally-native candle brand that transforms your home into an expressive world.
Dave Shor
Founder / CEO of Lynq Technologies
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About Lynq Technologies, Techstars: The network for when failure isn’t an option.
Matthew Misbin
Co-Founder of Lynq Technologies
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About Lynq Technologies: The network for when failure isn’t an option.
Jonathan Murray
Co-Founder / Marketing of Lynq Technologies
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About Lynq Technologies: The network for when failure isn’t an option.
Jen Rubio
Co-Founder and CEO of Away
Jen Rubio is the Co-Founder and CEO at Away.
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About Away: Away is a modern travel and lifestyle brand designed with thoughtful features that solve real travel problems
Michelle Cordeiro Grant
Founder and CEO of WearLively
Michelle Cordeiro Grant is the Founder and CEO of Lively. Prior to this, ahe became Vice President of Merchandising at Thrillist Media Group. She also worked at Victoria’s Secret holding the position as Director/ Senior Merchant. Michelle also became Senior Merchandise Manager at Nautica/ VF Sportswear. Michelle has studied BS in Finance at University of Pittsburgh.
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About WearLively: WearLively delivers bras and undies that blend high-style, comfort, and simplicity.
Justin Park
Founder & CEO of QL Gaming Group
Co-Founder / CEO, Vidaao
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About QL Gaming Group, RotoQL: The QL Gaming Group (QLGG), formerly RotoQL, is a direct to consumer sports data and iGaming affiliate platform.
Kevin Carson
Founder / CEO of Earnest Research
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About Earnest Research: Earnest Research transforms raw data into a source for business and investment professionals to make better decisions.
Toby Hervey
CEO & Founder of Bravely
Toby Hervey is the CEO and Founder of Bravely, a new kind of employee benefit in support of workplace health—connecting people with professional coaches for confidential conversations about their performance, growth, relationships, and company culture. Previously, Toby was part of the founding team member at Pager — a mobile platform for patient engagement and on-demand healthcare — serving as the VP of Operations and General Manager and overseeing the company’s national operations group, expansion efforts, and growth initiatives. During Toby’s time with Pager, the company raised $30mm in venture financing and built a team of 60 full-time employees based in New York City. Before Pager, Toby directed strategy and business development for several early-stage, high-growth companies: Waywire, a video-based social network founded by Senator Cory Booker (then Mayor of Newark) which sold to Magnify.net in 2013; Timehop, a digital time capsule mobile app that has since raised a $10mm Series B round; and at the Gilt Groupe, as a founding team member of local services arm Gilt City and menswear vertical Gilt MAN. Toby also serves on the Board of Directors for Out in Tech, a nonprofit dedicated to uniting the LGBTQ community in the tech industry.
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About Bravely, New York University: Bravely connects people to on-demand professional coaching through the moments that matter in their lives at work.
