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Tómas Vega’s voice trembled with emotion as he demoed his startup Augmental’s latest technology: a tongue-controlled, computer mouse pad (called MouthPad) that allowed a dad to control robotic toys to play with his child right from his wheelchair.
While last week we reported on funding for impact-driven companies being on the rise, some companies like Augmental, founded by 2023 Under 30 Social Impact listers Vega and Corten Singer, are still finding themselves with little funding for their big missions.
Since 2019, the pair have been working on this hands-free, custom fit mouthpiece for device control, which they like to call a “third hand,” specifically created for people with disabilities. There are nearly 43 million Americans who live with some sort of disability, according to 2021 data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The market is there, says Vega, who first launched this idea at MIT’s Media Lab, but “the idea of disabilities is not as flashy as B2B SaaS,” he says.
The cofounders have raised $1.5 million over the course of four years, requiring them to stay super scrappy and super lean. For example, they secured donations for 3-D printers, Vega works out of his home, and the four other employees (who come from Tesla, Microsoft and Google) agreed to a massive salary reduction from their former jobs.
“There’s a misalignment of incentives between social impact and capitalism,” Vega adds. “We rely on finding humans that have empathy for the project we’re working on.”
Despite the lack of funding, the company has received some accolades: It took home the Grand Prix prize for Innovation at the 2023 Cannes Lions Awards, racked up a waitlist of over a thousand people and, last month, brought its product to market after receiving Federal Communications Commission (FCC) clearance.
Vega explains that you can’t just buy the technology—not yet, at least. As it’s complex tech catered to a vulnerable population, buying the product includes a lengthy onboarding process (required by Augmental) where the team actually has to meet with its customers, assess their needs and teach them how to use the product through a series of gameplay. They say they plan to automate this process soon.
Until then, they’re taking it slow. Augmental has sold only 10 MouthPads over the past month, despite its long waitlist, and has only offered it to customers in the Bay Area where the company is based. In the pipeline are plans to create technology for those who struggle with speech impairments, too, although they wouldn’t disclose any further details.
Until next week,
How Not To Invest Stupid And Other Smart Money Lessons From A Shark Tank Billionaire
John Paul DeJoria went from living out of a car to becoming a shampoo and tequila billionaire. Some forty years after he struck it rich, he shares investing wisdom he’s gained along the way. Even if you think it’s a sure thing, he says, always invest less than you can afford to invest.
Lister Lowdown
-The votes are in! 2019 Under 30 Law & Policy lister Adele McClure made history this week with her electoral victory into the Virginia House of Delegates. McClure is the first Black person elected to represent Arlington County in the Virginia General Assembly since the 1870s. “The magnitude of this moment is not lost on me,” said McClure in her press release, “And the excitement for change isn’t isolated in Arlington.” McClure has been elected to a two-year term commencing in January 2024.
-2019 Under 30 Food & Drink lister Blake Tomnitz just sold his brewery, Five Boroughs Brewing Co,, to New Hampshire-based Smuttynose Brewing Co. (which is owned by Finestkind Brewing). Tomnitz, who is based in New York, started his career in investment banking before launching Five Boroughs in 2015. Now, Smuttynose will have a hand in Five Boroughs’ mission of creating a culture for New Yorkers, and the local fan base that comes with the brand.
Under 30 On-Air
2023 Under 30 Manufacturing & Industry lister Courtney Toll sat down with 30 Under 30 reporter Zoya Hasan to talk about breaking into the male-dominated hardware space. The cofounder of Nori, which sells a portable steamer iron, shares her $5 million fundraising journey, how to land business-to-business partnerships and the importance of prioritizing profitability from day one.
One Minute With Jazmin Burrell
We’re bringing you the scoop on a new Under 30 community member each week. Up this week: Jazmin Burrell, who made the Forbes Under 30 Marketing & Advertising list in 2022 for her work as a creative strategist at Snap and her boutique creative shop Lizzie Della Creative Strategies. Burrell has since transitioned into a role as the vice president of strategy at culture-powered media & marketing agency Obsidianworks, which was cofounded by actor Michael B. Jordan and Chad Easterling.
The following has been slightly edited for length and clarity.
When did you decide you wanted to go into creative strategy? It took a good amount of exploration, if I’m being honest. I’ve always loved solving problems, building relationships and being client-facing. But it wasn’t until I landed my first full-time gig that I really understood the ecosystem of an agency and was introduced to strategy properly. I fell in love immediately. It was everything that I loved about account management but allowed me to still be creative and lean into my love for storytelling.
During your time at Snap, you spearheaded the Snapchat Creative Council. Why was this something you decided to start? Advertising—like any industry—isn’t always pretty. I quickly realized how unfair it was for young professionals who looked and acted like me, through no reason other than lack of access. Once I joined the team at Snap, I was empowered by my team leader to bring underrepresented voices to the forefront of creative, technology and advertising through building this program.
What is your advice for others working in corporate jobs that have an initiative they want to pursue? Go for it but don’t rush it. I think it’s easy to get caught in the glitz and glam of doing something soon, early or fast. But this hustle culture that we live in promotes the “necessity” to do something extra just to say that you’re doing it. We’re at a time now where we have more outlets, resources and opportunities than ever. Take the necessary time to know yourself, find your passions, develop your skills and whatever you create will truly be a labor of love!
What do you like to do in your free time? I’m an avid video gamer girl! I love the different worlds that video games take you to. I have a PS5, Switch, an XBOX One and a Mac specifically for my Sims so I clearly take my games seriously. Aside from that, I also take full advantage of living in NYC: I might be at a concert, a friend’s happy hour, a WWE match, a random street fest or some seasonal pop-up just for the heck of it.
Walk me through your morning routine. I make breakfast every morning and don’t run straight to social media (anymore at least). I always make my bed and clean-up regardless of if I’m working at-home or going into the office. My days typically run long with meetings but I have a freer morning, so I’ll turn on one of the Freevee channels and let one of my comfort shows play in the background while I knock out work. Right now, I’m in a Fear Factor rabbit hole.
What is your best piece of advice for creating work-life balance? Ever since the pandemic, when there wasn’t a commute to separate my job from my personal life, I don’t receive work email notifications to my phone. It allows me a chance to turn on when I need to versus anticipating that I need to. I also make it a serious point to maintain all of my relationships outside of work. I’m showing up for my friends’ events, hitting them up on FaceTime, inviting friends and family to visit me in New York.
What is one app you can’t live without? I love my McDonald’s app: The points, the deals, the consistency… I have no notes! I’m a huge fan of McDonald’s as a brand in general but the app experience is just…*chef’s kiss*.
What do you think is overrated (in your field, or in the world in general)? The idea of “bringing your full self to work”—especially as an underrepresented employee. You have the right to create boundaries, be introverted, not attend happy hours and keep your private life to yourself.
What’s one piece of advice you’d tell your 18-year-old self? Be careful not to idolize leaders in the industry. It’s easy to become attached to the idea and grandiosity of someone in the present-tense and not realize your own stature and impact in the world. That idolization can come at the expense of dimming your own light. You might not notice the power you have but the people around you do. Step into it.
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