This pretty $25 sponge is designed to clean the most breakable thing in your kitchen
It is red. It looks like Pac-Man. And it is pretty enough to sit on your kitchen counter. What is it?
After brooms, toothbrushes, and toolboxes, it's time for kitchen sponges to get a design upgrade. The Mitts sponge was specifically designed for fragile stemware. It fits into your hands like an oven mitt and works a bit like a beak (or, indeed, Pac-Man). An incision in the middle of the sponge lets you wrap it around the rim, while two finger slots help you control the opening of that incision. 'So, you have the dexterity you would get from bare hands, but protected by the sponge,' says Daniele Orellana, who cofounded Mitts with her husband, Lee Kojanis.
The duo estimates that over the past few years, they have broken at least 10 glasses while washing them. (Kojanis holds a WSET Level 3 wine certification, so fine wine, along with fine stemware, is a constant in the household). And when the two dental professionals first sat down to brainstorm ideas for a better sponge, Orellana had just broken another two handblown glasses, worth about $80 each. 'Frustration was brewing,' says Kojanis with a laugh.
At the time, the market seemed split in two categories: high-function and low-aesthetic sponges you wouldn't want to keep on the side of your sink; or sponges that look good but don't work well. Many in the latter camp were too abrasive and too bulky to swirl around fine stemware. 'We wanted a hybrid that had aesthetic appeal,' says Kojanis.
Orellana and Kojanis, who self-funded the entire project, envisioned Mitts as a multifunctional sponge that was designed for wine glasses but could do an equally good job at washing a knife, or brushing kitchen shears. They developed the concept over the course of one weekend, then worked with New York agency Creative Engineering to develop some prototypes.
By far, the hardest part turned out to be the base the sponge sits on. 'I was a big pusher for the base,' says Orellana, who knew the sponge would need a container to drain into, and also aspired to use it as a sculptural little vessel for her jewelry.
After experimenting with various formats or different shapes, sizes, and materials—including two versions with one and two prongs to prop the sponge—they landed on a rounded base that looks a bit like a pebble made of resin. The sponge is meant to stand on it vertically, which helps it drain, while a shallow recess hugs it in place.
For now, Mitts is available in red and yellow (a nod to the main wine varietals) though the team is hoping to introduce more shades in the future. The pipeline could also include narrower Mitts for champagne flutes, and a microfiber drying cloth with a Mitts twist. But for now, the pair is focused on their first product. 'We love our jobs too much,' says Kojanis. 'This has been great side hustle, and we would love to perfect the product we have on the market.'
The early-rate deadline for Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Awards is Friday, September 5, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fast Company
16 hours ago
- Fast Company
What is ‘self-evolving AI'? And why is it so scary?
BY As a technologist, and a serial entrepreneur, I've witnessed technology transform industries from manufacturing to finance. But I've never had to reckon with the possibility of technology that transforms itself. And that's what we are faced with when it comes to AI —the prospect of self-evolving AI. What is self-evolving AI? Well, as the name suggests, it's AI that improves itself—AI systems that optimize their own prompts, tweak the algorithms that drive them, and continually iterate and enhance their capabilities. Science fiction? Far from it. Researchers recently created the Darwin Gödel Machine, which is 'a self-improving system that iteratively modifies its own code.' The possibility is real, it's close—and it's mostly ignored by business leaders. And this is a mistake. Business leaders need to pay close attention to self-evolving AI, because it poses risks that they must address now. Self-Evolving AI vs. AGI It's understandable that business leaders ignore self-evolving AI, because traditionally the issues it raises have been addressed in the context of artificial general intelligence (AGI), something that's important, but more the province of computer scientists and philosophers. In order to see that this is a business issue, and a very important one, first we have to clearly distinguish between the two things. Self-evolving AI refers to systems that autonomously modify their own code, parameters, or learning processes, improving within specific domains without human intervention. Think of an AI optimizing supply chains that refines its algorithms to cut costs, then discovers novel forecasting methods—potentially overnight. AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) represents systems with humanlike reasoning across all domains, capable of writing a novel or designing a bridge with equal ease. And while AGI remains largely theoretical, self-evolving AI is here now, quietly reshaping industries from healthcare to logistics. The Fast Take-Off Trap One of the central risks created by self-evolving AI is the risk of AI take-off. Traditionally, AI take-off refers to the process by which going from a certain threshold of capability (often discussed as 'human-level') to being superintelligent and capable enough to control the fate of civilization. As we said above, we think that the problem of take-off is actually more broadly applicable, and specifically important for business. Why? The basic point is simple—self-evolving AI means AI systems that improve themselves. And this possibility isn't restricted to broader AI systems that mimic human intelligence. It applies to virtually all AI systems, even ones with narrow domains, for example AI systems that are designed exclusively for managing production lines or making financial predictions and so on. Once we recognize the possibility of AI take off within narrower domains, it becomes easier to see the huge implications that self-improving AI systems have for business. A fast take-off scenario—where AI capabilities explode exponentially within a certain domain or even a certain organization—could render organizations obsolete in weeks, not years. For example, imagine a company's AI chatbot evolves from handling basic inquiries to predict and influence customer behavior so precisely that it achieves 80%+ conversion rates through perfectly timed, personalized interactions. Competitors using traditional approaches can't match this psychological insight and rapidly lose customers. The problem generalizes to every area of business: within months, your competitor's operational capabilities could dwarf yours. Your five-year strategic plan becomes irrelevant, not because markets shifted, but because of their AI evolved capabilities you didn't anticipate. When Internal Systems Evolve Beyond Control Organizations face equally serious dangers from their own AI systems evolving beyond control mechanisms. For example: Monitoring Failure: IT teams can't keep pace with AI self-modifications happening at machine speed. Traditional quarterly reviews become meaningless when systems iterate thousands of times per day. Compliance Failure: Autonomous changes bypass regulatory approval processes. How do you maintain SOX compliance when your financial AI modifies its own risk assessment algorithms without authorization? Security Failure: Self-evolving systems introduce vulnerabilities that cybersecurity frameworks weren't designed to handle. Each modification potentially creates new attack vectors. Governance Failure: Boards lose meaningful oversight when AI evolves faster than they can meet or understand changes. Directors find themselves governing systems they cannot comprehend. Strategy Failure: Long-term planning collapses as AI rewrites fundamental business assumptions on weekly cycles. Strategic planning horizons shrink from years to weeks. Beyond individual organizations, entire market sectors could destabilize. Industries like consulting or financial services—built on information asymmetries—face existential threats if AI capabilities spread rapidly, making their core value propositions obsolete overnight. Catastrophizing to Prepare In our book TRANSCEND: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI, we propose the CARE methodology—Catastrophize, Assess, Regulate, Exit—to systematically anticipate and mitigate AI risks. Catastrophizing isn't pessimism; it's strategic foresight applied to unprecedented technological uncertainty. And our methodology forces leaders to ask uncomfortable questions: What if our AI begins rewriting its own code to optimize performance in ways we don't understand? What if our AI begins treating cybersecurity, legal compliance, or ethical guidelines as optimization constraints to work around rather than rules to follow? What if it starts pursuing objectives, we didn't explicitly program but that emerge from its learning process? Key diagnostic questions every CEO should ask so that they can identify organizational vulnerabilities before they become existential threats are: Immediate Assessment: Which AI systems have self-modification capabilities? How quickly can we detect behavioral changes? What monitoring mechanisms track AI evolution in real-time? Operational Readiness: Can governance structures adapt to weekly technological shifts? Do compliance frameworks account for self-modifying systems? How would we shut down an AI system distributed across our infrastructure? Strategic Positioning: Are we building self-improving AI or static tools? What business model aspects depend on human-level AI limitations that might vanish suddenly? Four Critical Actions for Business Leaders Based on my work with organizations implementing advanced AI systems, here are five immediate actions I recommend: Implement Real-Time AI Monitoring: Build systems tracking AI behavior changes instantly, not quarterly. Embed kill switches and capability limits that can halt runaway systems before irreversible damage. Establish Agile Governance: Traditional oversight fails when AI evolves daily. Develop adaptive governance structures operating at technological speed, ensuring boards stay informed about system capabilities and changes. Prioritize Ethical Alignment: Embed value-based 'constitutions' into AI systems. Test rigorously for biases and misalignment, learning from failures like Amazon's discriminatory hiring tool. Scenario-Plan Relentlessly: Prepare for multiple AI evolution scenarios. What's your response if a competitor's AI suddenly outpaces yours? How do you maintain operations if your own systems evolve beyond control? Early Warning Signs Every Executive Should Monitor The transition from human-guided improvement to autonomous evolution might be so gradual that organizations miss the moment when they lose effective oversight. Therefore, smart business leaders are sensitive to signs that reveal troubling escalation paths: AI systems demonstrating unexpected capabilities beyond original specifications Automated optimization tools modifying their own parameters without human approval Cross-system integration where AI tools begin communicating autonomously Performance improvements that accelerate rather than plateau over time Why Action Can't Wait As Geoffrey Hinton has warned, unchecked AI development could outstrip human control entirely. Companies beginning preparation now—with robust monitoring systems, adaptive governance structures, and scenario-based strategic planning—will be best positioned to thrive. Those waiting for clearer signals may find themselves reacting to changes they can no longer control. The early-rate deadline for Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Awards is Friday, September 5, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.
Fast Company
3 days ago
- Fast Company
This pretty $25 sponge is designed to clean the most breakable thing in your kitchen
BY It is red. It looks like Pac-Man. And it is pretty enough to sit on your kitchen counter. What is it? After brooms, toothbrushes, and toolboxes, it's time for kitchen sponges to get a design upgrade. The Mitts sponge was specifically designed for fragile stemware. It fits into your hands like an oven mitt and works a bit like a beak (or, indeed, Pac-Man). An incision in the middle of the sponge lets you wrap it around the rim, while two finger slots help you control the opening of that incision. 'So, you have the dexterity you would get from bare hands, but protected by the sponge,' says Daniele Orellana, who cofounded Mitts with her husband, Lee Kojanis. The duo estimates that over the past few years, they have broken at least 10 glasses while washing them. (Kojanis holds a WSET Level 3 wine certification, so fine wine, along with fine stemware, is a constant in the household). And when the two dental professionals first sat down to brainstorm ideas for a better sponge, Orellana had just broken another two handblown glasses, worth about $80 each. 'Frustration was brewing,' says Kojanis with a laugh. At the time, the market seemed split in two categories: high-function and low-aesthetic sponges you wouldn't want to keep on the side of your sink; or sponges that look good but don't work well. Many in the latter camp were too abrasive and too bulky to swirl around fine stemware. 'We wanted a hybrid that had aesthetic appeal,' says Kojanis. Orellana and Kojanis, who self-funded the entire project, envisioned Mitts as a multifunctional sponge that was designed for wine glasses but could do an equally good job at washing a knife, or brushing kitchen shears. They developed the concept over the course of one weekend, then worked with New York agency Creative Engineering to develop some prototypes. By far, the hardest part turned out to be the base the sponge sits on. 'I was a big pusher for the base,' says Orellana, who knew the sponge would need a container to drain into, and also aspired to use it as a sculptural little vessel for her jewelry. After experimenting with various formats or different shapes, sizes, and materials—including two versions with one and two prongs to prop the sponge—they landed on a rounded base that looks a bit like a pebble made of resin. The sponge is meant to stand on it vertically, which helps it drain, while a shallow recess hugs it in place. For now, Mitts is available in red and yellow (a nod to the main wine varietals) though the team is hoping to introduce more shades in the future. The pipeline could also include narrower Mitts for champagne flutes, and a microfiber drying cloth with a Mitts twist. But for now, the pair is focused on their first product. 'We love our jobs too much,' says Kojanis. 'This has been great side hustle, and we would love to perfect the product we have on the market.' The early-rate deadline for Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Awards is Friday, September 5, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Down 35% After 2 Weeks, Is Figma a Good Stock to Buy on the Dip?
Key Points Figma stock soared above its initial public offering price but quickly lost more than a third of its value. Total revenue at Figma soared by 48% in 2024, but a deceleration seems inevitable. A sky-high valuation means new Figma shareholders could suffer heavy losses if the upcoming revenue growth deceleration isn't a gentle one. 10 stocks we like better than Figma › Shares of Figma (NYSE: FIG) recorded gains for one day following the user interface design specialist's initial public offering (IPO) on July 31. Sadly, the good times didn't last very long. From the closing bell on Aug. 1 through Aug. 15, the newly minted stock fell by 34.9%. Figma shares are way down from their previous peak, but it would be dead wrong to suggest the IPO wasn't a success. The stock finished Aug. 15 above $79 per share, which was 141% more than the initial offering price of $33 per share. As is usually the case when a popular stock falls dramatically, investors want to know whether it could be a smart buy on the dip. Let's weigh reasons to buy the stock now against some of the challenges that lie ahead to find out. Reasons to buy Figma Stock now Whether you engage with Netflix, Uber, or Duolingo, the user interface you interact with was made by Figma. Many design companies that already spend heavily for access to Adobe's Creative Cloud ignore a competing application, Adobe XD, and end up paying for Figma too. In fact, 95% of Fortune 500 companies use Figma's software to design and maintain their user interfaces. Effective interface design isn't limited to developers willing to pay for a full subscription to specialized software. The process pulls in writers, researchers, marketers, and other collaborators. With Figma, nondevelopment collaborators can access projects for one-seventh the price developers with enterprise subscriptions pay. Figma's in the right place at the right time. Companies across industries are investing heavily in their digital transformations, and the trend is helping Figma grow by leaps and bounds. In 2024, revenue grew 48% to $749 million. Sales growth decelerated slightly in the first quarter of 2025, but this business is still expanding at a rapid pace. Figma reported first-quarter sales that rose 46% year over year to $228.2 million. At the end of March, Figma had zero debt and a big $1.5 billion cash cushion on its balance sheet. The asset-light software business could become a cash-generating machine for investors. In the first quarter, the company reported free cash flow that equaled 41.4% of total revenue during the period. Reasons to remain cautious Figma's stock is down from its peak, but it's still trading at a sky-high valuation. Revenue is expanding rapidly, but so is its employee roster. The company reported a $732 million net loss last year. In the first quarter of 2025, Figma's bottom line entered positive territory. That said, net income worked out to just $0.04 per share. The stock's closing price on Aug. 15 was 496 times annualized first-quarter earnings. It isn't impossible for a software business to grow into such a steep valuation, but it doesn't happen often. Investors considering this stock now should understand that it could fall much further if it reports another growth deceleration in any of its next several quarterly reports. Unfortunately, Figma expects its revenue growth rate to decline in the future as its business matures. Figma hasn't set a date yet for reporting results from the second quarter that ended on June 30. If you're considering this stock, it's probably best to wait until after we see at least one or two more quarterly reports so we can gauge just how rapidly growth will decelerate. Do the experts think Figma is a buy right now? The Motley Fool's expert analyst team, drawing on years of investing experience and deep analysis of thousands of stocks, leverages our proprietary Moneyball AI investing database to uncover top opportunities. They've just revealed their to buy now — did Figma make the list? When our Stock Advisor analyst team has a stock recommendation, it can pay to listen. After all, Stock Advisor's total average return is up 1,070% vs. just 184% for the S&P — that is beating the market by 885.55%!* Imagine if you were a Stock Advisor member when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $668,155!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,106,071!* The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of August 13, 2025 Cory Renauer has positions in Duolingo. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Adobe, Netflix, and Uber Technologies. The Motley Fool recommends Duolingo. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Down 35% After 2 Weeks, Is Figma a Good Stock to Buy on the Dip? was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
