Rheaply is building “a Google for physical assets,” says Cooper, 37, cofounder-CEO of the algorithm-powered exchange platform helping organizations share and sell physical assets such as computer servers and lab equipment. In 2020 Cooper quickly adapted to PPE distribution. The pivot worked: Revenue soared over 2,000% and Cooper expects the trend to continue as employers seek to reduce their carbon footprint and go remote. It’s raised over $2.5 million in funding and the U.S. Air Force and NIH are clients.
COFOUNDER-CEO
Garry Cooper
Rheaply
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Garry Cooper
Gabby Jones for Forbes
Courtesy Kendra KOLB Butler
Kendra Kolb Butler
Kendra Kolb Butler
Founder, Alpyn Beauty
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Courtesy abu sadeq
Abu Sadeq
Abu Sadeq
Founder-CEO, Zartech
Dallas, Texas
Courtesy Kimberly Shenk
Kimberly Shenk
Kimberly Shenk
Cofounder-CEO, Novi Connect
Larkspur, California
Photo by Amanda Hoffman Art
Caren Kelleher
Caren Kelleher
Founder-CEO,
Gold Rush Vinyl
Austin, Texas
“My passion for cooking different cuisines made me meticulous about cookware,” says Kangralkar, cofounder of Avacraft with her husband Vivek, both 42. Since 2015 they’ve produced the quality, price-conscious culinary must-haves Kangralkar was seeking. Last October, Avacraft was endorsed by Jessica Alba on GMA and featured on local Amazon delivery vans. The upshot: Avacraft has nearly doubled growth YOY since inception, growing to over 50,000 customers and booking $2 million in revenue for 2020.
COFOUNDER-CEO
Avacraft
PLANO, TEXAS
Asha Kangralkar
Asha Kangralkar
Gabby Jones for Forbes
Courtesy CAMERON ROSS
Cameron Ross
Cameron Ross
Cofounder-CEO,
Celise BioProducts
Arlington, Virginia
Courtesy CHRISTINA PERLA
Christina Perla
Christina Perla
Cofounder-CEO, Makelab
Brooklyn, New York
Courtesy NICOLE BROWN
Nicole Brown
Nicole Brown
Founder-CEO, Izzy & Liv
Aberdeen, New Jersey
Courtesy Slutty Vegan ATL
Pinky Cole
Pinky Cole
Founder-CEO, Slutty Vegan ATL
Atlanta, Georgia
17%
OPPORTUNITY | GREAT LAKES
Percentage of the Great Lakes region's small businesses
that are minority owned.