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.
Garry Cooper
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Garry Cooper
Gabby Jones for Forbes
“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.
PLANO, TEXAS
Asha Kangralkar
Asha Kangralkar
Gabby Jones for Forbes
17%
OPPORTUNITY | GREAT LAKES
Percentage of the Great Lakes region's small businesses
that are minority owned.
Cofounder-CEO, Rheaply
Cofounder-CEO, Avacraft
Courtesy Kendra KOLB Butler
Kendra Kolb Butler
Kendra Butler
Founder, Alpyn Beauty
JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING
Abu Sadeq
Founder-CEO, Zartech
dallas, texas
Abu Sadeq
courtesy abu sadeq
Kimberly Shenk
Cofounder-CEO,
Novi Connect
LARKSPUR, CALIFORNIA
Kimberly Shenk
Courtesy Kimberly Shenk
Caren Kelleher
Founder-CEO,
Gold Rush Vinyl
AUSTIN, TEXAS
Caren Kelleher
Photo by Amanda Hoffman Art
Pinky Cole
Founder-CEO,
Slutty Vegan ATL
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
Pinky Cole
courtesy of slutty vegan atl
Cameron Ross
Cofounder-CEO,
Celise BioProducts
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cameron Ross
Courtesy CAMERON ROSS
Christina Perla
Cofounder-CEO,
Makelab
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
Christina Perla
Courtesy Christina Perla
Nicole Brown
Founder-CEO,
Izzy & Liv
ABERDEEN, NEW JERSEY
Nicole Brown
Courtesy Nicole Brown
