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The Founders Corner: A Q&A With Our Fall Cohort Members
We’re a few weeks into our Fall Cohort, with support from Comcast NBCUniversal. Over the past few weeks, our Disabled Founders have been immersed in 2GI’s accelerator program, to further build up their business models for continued success.
This week we sat down for an interview with Ian Ramsdell, Founder and CEO, Kupros Inc. and Stephanie Thomas, Founder and CEO Cur8able. Learn all about their experience with 2GI.
Ian: At the helm of Kupros, we're not merely running a tech startup; we're shaking up industry norms. Our flagship invention, Cu-29, an all-metal copper filament, is pioneering the way electronic components are developed, significantly enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of small-batch prototyping. With a clear focus on sectors such as aerospace, defense, and medical devices, our mission is to create design and manufacturing processes that pave the way for new heights of creativity and productivity.
Stephanie: Cur8able is a Woman and Disability owned fashion styling consultancy specializing in Simplifying Shopping and Destressing Dressing for the disabled, chronically ill, and injured.
Cur8able’s Core Cur8tion service, guided by Stephanie Thomas' award-winning Disability Fashion Styling System®, offers a proven solution to help designers, creative directors, marketers, and merchandisers reimagine both the brands core products and customer groups without the added expense of adaptive design. Additionally, cur8tion addresses the costly problem of dead inventory (unsold merchandise).
Ian: The decision to join 2GI’s Fall Cohort sprang from the desire to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs and industry experts. The potential for growth, rich exchange of ideas, deeper insights, and structured guidance perfectly aligned with my entrepreneurial journey. As a service-disabled veteran myself, the empathy and support from 2GI towards disabled founders have been incredibly refreshing and encouraging.
Stephanie: Scale, Scale, Scale! We want to learn how to find and attract early adopting clients, and that is what we've already started learning and it's only week three.
Ian: The networking opportunities and workshops have been fantastic. The ability to learn from professionals who've unraveled similar paths and challenges is priceless. The shared knowledge, perspectives, life lessons, and the assurance that challenges are stepping stones towards success have been pivotal moments of the journey.
Stephanie: The willingness to support the needs of us Founders.
Ian: Embarking on an entrepreneurial journey is filled with challenges and victories, highs and lows. My advice to other disabled founders is to not let your disability set your limits. Embrace it as your unique strength and perspective, often leading to innovative solutions that others may not see. Make the most of the resources available, never shy away from asking for help or advice, and most importantly, believe in yourself and your vision. Remember, the entrepreneurial journey is a marathon and not a sprint - enjoy every step, every stumble, and every leap forward.
Stephanie: When you see a gap in an industry that you know you have a solution for, trust your gut and go for it, create the product, test the product, start the product and start that business. It would also be a great idea to apply for 2GI's Accelerator.
The Fall 2023 Cohort was made possible through the ongoing support from and partnership with Comcast NBCUniversal, who remains committed to supporting underserved entrepreneurs. In 2022, the partnership facilitated the launch of 2Gether-International Cohort for BIPOC and Disabled Entrepreneurs, which supported 11 Founders. Graduates have since raised substantial funds, generated new jobs, and developed products that benefit other marginalized communities.
