Latest news with #Forbes30Under30
Fashion Network
3 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
FlamAid teams up with 38Graus for safety-first swimwear collaboration
FlamAid, a Portuguese passive self-defense startup founded by Julieta Rueff, has partnered with local swimwear label 38Graus for a bold collaboration merging fashion and personal protection. The limited-edition "Safe & Naked" set includes a statement bikini and a compact personal safety alarm designed to empower women in public spaces. The collaboration brings together FlamAid's signature product—a grenade-shaped device that emits a 110-decibel alarm and notifies police and emergency contacts—with a daring bikini designed by 38Graus. The campaign invites women to embrace summer with freedom, without compromising on personal safety. FlamAid was created by Julieta Rueff, whose brand name fuses 'flame' and 'aid' as a symbol of strength and support. Rueff launched the company after personally experiencing fear in public spaces. 'We were talking about summer and our bodies, and how even wearing something simple like a summer top or shorts can make you feel exposed or unsafe,' Rueff said in an interview with Portuguese magazine Máxima. 'That constant fear is what led me to create FlamAid.' Founded by Marta Oliveira, along with Inês Pereira da Costa and Joana Machado, 38Graus is recognized for its inclusive and expressive approach to swimwear. Together, the two brands aim to shift the conversation around vulnerability and body confidence. FlamAid, which operates with a small but growing team, was recently spotlighted by Forbes Portugal, which noted its upcoming second round of investment in 2025. The magazine wrote: 'The company founded by a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree joins forces with a bikini brand to champion women's safety.' Rueff added on Instagram, 'We felt it was time to strip the conversation about women's safety down to its core—literally. Summer should be about freedom, showing your body, and feeling light. But for many women, it comes with vulnerability. We want to change that narrative.' At the heart of the campaign is a single question: What if you could feel fully exposed and still feel protected? The "Safe & Naked" set responds with both form and function: a fashion-forward swimsuit paired with a discreet self-defense device. The alarm, styled like a small grenade, can be carried in hand or clipped to a bag, ready to be activated with the push of a button. To visualize the message, the team staged a campaign shoot on the streets of Lisbon, featuring models in 38Graus swimwear equipped with FlamAid's personal alarm. Rueff noted that the imagery was partly inspired by past Desigual campaigns that invited shoppers to 'come naked, we'll dress you.' In this case, she said, 'It's more like—even if you're naked, we'll protect you.'
Fashion Network
3 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
FlamAid teams up with 38Graus for safety-first swimwear collaboration
FlamAid, a Portuguese passive self-defense startup founded by Julieta Rueff, has partnered with local swimwear label 38Graus for a bold collaboration merging fashion and personal protection. The limited-edition "Safe & Naked" set includes a statement bikini and a compact personal safety alarm designed to empower women in public spaces. The collaboration brings together FlamAid's signature product—a grenade-shaped device that emits a 110-decibel alarm and notifies police and emergency contacts—with a daring bikini designed by 38Graus. The campaign invites women to embrace summer with freedom, without compromising on personal safety. FlamAid was created by Julieta Rueff, whose brand name fuses 'flame' and 'aid' as a symbol of strength and support. Rueff launched the company after personally experiencing fear in public spaces. 'We were talking about summer and our bodies, and how even wearing something simple like a summer top or shorts can make you feel exposed or unsafe,' Rueff said in an interview with Portuguese magazine Máxima. 'That constant fear is what led me to create FlamAid.' Founded by Marta Oliveira, along with Inês Pereira da Costa and Joana Machado, 38Graus is recognized for its inclusive and expressive approach to swimwear. Together, the two brands aim to shift the conversation around vulnerability and body confidence. FlamAid, which operates with a small but growing team, was recently spotlighted by Forbes Portugal, which noted its upcoming second round of investment in 2025. The magazine wrote: 'The company founded by a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree joins forces with a bikini brand to champion women's safety.' Rueff added on Instagram, 'We felt it was time to strip the conversation about women's safety down to its core—literally. Summer should be about freedom, showing your body, and feeling light. But for many women, it comes with vulnerability. We want to change that narrative.' At the heart of the campaign is a single question: What if you could feel fully exposed and still feel protected? The "Safe & Naked" set responds with both form and function: a fashion-forward swimsuit paired with a discreet self-defense device. The alarm, styled like a small grenade, can be carried in hand or clipped to a bag, ready to be activated with the push of a button. To visualize the message, the team staged a campaign shoot on the streets of Lisbon, featuring models in 38Graus swimwear equipped with FlamAid's personal alarm. Rueff noted that the imagery was partly inspired by past Desigual campaigns that invited shoppers to 'come naked, we'll dress you.' In this case, she said, 'It's more like—even if you're naked, we'll protect you.'
Forbes
5 days ago
- Politics
- Forbes
Arizona Special Election: 25-Year-Old Deja Foxx Seeks To Go From TikTok Activist To Congress
A popular social media influencer is seen as a contender in Tuesday's Democratic primary for the special election to replace an Arizona congressman who died in office in March—which could make her one of the youngest members of Congress and the first of a new generation of content creators running for office to succeed. Deja Foxx, a 25-year-old political content creator, is a contender for an Arizona congressional ... More seat. Variety via Getty Images Deja Foxx, a 25-year-old political content creator who has over 395,000 followers on TikTok, is running for Democratic nomination in Arizona's 7th District after only turning the minimum age to serve in Congress in April. Fifty-four-year-old former Pima County Supervisor Adelita Grijalva, the daughter of the late Rep. Raul Grijalva, was widely seen as the frontrunner in the race to replace her father, but recent internal polling from Foxx's campaign first published by Politico suggests the race is much closer—Foxx was only eight points behind Grijalva in polling done in May. Foxx was one of the youngest campaign staffers on Kamala Harris' first presidential campaign in 2020, and has continued to produce political content on liberal issues. Foxx was also chosen as one of Forbes' 30 Under 30 in media for her work on social media campaigns for companies including Prada and Nike, as well as her political work. Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz., a 22-year veteran of Congress, died in March from complications from his cancer treatment, leaving a key seat open in a swing state Trump won with 52% of the vote in 2024. Arizona's 7th district is heavily Democratic leaning, according to the Cook Political Report, meaning whoever wins Tuesday's primary will be a heavy favorite in the Sept. 23 general election. Republicans only hold a slim majority in the House and are keen to pick up any available seats. Tangent Foxx is also one of the candidates endorsed by Leaders We Deserve, the political organization founded by former Democratic National Committee vice chair David Hogg with the intention of winning primary elections against sitting Democrats 'unwilling or unable to meet the moment and are asleep at the wheel.' Hogg, another Gen Z political activist who rose to prominence after surviving the Parkland shooting in 2018, raised as much as $20 million for these primary campaigns, The New York Times reported in April. The organization also endorsed Zohran Mamdani, who came from behind to win the Democratic primary in the New York City mayoral election against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo last month. Mamdani was behind in the polls before defeating the former governor and Democratic Party mainstay by 12 points. Hogg left his DNC position after clashing with leadership over his primary efforts, and said he would not run for reelection after an internal committee voided his prior election to vice chair in June. Hogg's PAC is dedicated to 'electing young progressives,' but both Foxx and Grijalva are vying for progressive support in the primary campaign. Raul Grijalva was a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and reliable supporter for liberal causes in the House. Adelita Grijalva has sought to portray herself similarly, and the candidates' policy positions are similar. Both Foxx and Grijalva have extensive policy platforms dedicated to opposing President Donald Trump's domestic agenda, expanding affordable housing and fighting for environmental justice and tribal sovereignty. Foxx's campaign also points to support for other popular left-wing causes, including Medicare for All. But Grijalva has also racked up endorsements from major progressive organizations and leaders, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., as well as both of Arizona's sitting Democratic senators, Sen. Mark Kelly and Sen. Ruben Gallego. Foxx has centered her criticism on establishment Democrats circling the wagons for establishment candidates, noting that three senior Democratic members of Congress died within the first six months of Trump's second term, handing Republicans a larger advantage.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Meet the South African who started a Silicon Valley AI firm at 22, made it on Forbes and won a Google award
At 16, she won the Google Science Fair; at 22, she launched her AI company; and at 25, she made it onto the Forbes list. South African Kiara Nirghin has been making headlines for years for her achievements in the tech world, with her latest accomplishment making it onto Forbes' 30 Under 30 North America list. At 16 years old, she won the Google Science Fair worth R680 000 for her project 'Combatting drought with a Low-Cost, biodegradable Superabsorbent Polymer made out of orange peels'. At the time, she was a student at St. Martin's in Johannesburg. Her project utilised waste materials such as orange peels and avocado skins, which are rich in polysaccharides and pectin. This was to help retain moisture in dry soil, boosting crop growth in water-scarce regions. Kiara on Forbes 30 under 30 Kiara and her sister, Nikhara Nirghin, made it on North America's 30 under 30 AI list. They are co-founders of Chima, a company building 'human reasoning' AI systems for enterprise functions. Forbes 30 Under 30 is an annual list published by Forbes magazine, recognising 30 individuals under the age of 30 in various industries. The sisters were recognised in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) list. Chima, based in Silicon Valley, Northern California, has systems designed to handle everyday business scenarios, such as automating repetitive tasks. Kiara Nirghin at 16 after winning the Google Science Fair. Picture: Facebook/FACTS Chima, led by two sisters The two sisters launched Chima at a young age. It is understood that Kiara was 22 when the company was launched. Kiara serves as the chief technology officer, while Nikhara is the chief executive officer. Nikhara is a qualified actuary who has worked at Liberty, Deloitte, and Goldman Sachs. According to Chima's website, the company is built on expertise in marketing, business, AI technology and data. Kiara's experience According to Mybroadband, Kiara has held several high positions in the tech world, all stemming from her Google award. She used the money she won from the science fair to pursue a degree in Computer Science at Stanford University in the US in 2018. In 2023, she obtained her Master's degree in Computer Science with a focus on AI and Human Computer Interaction. Kiara was appointed to the Facebook Tech Sustainability Board and has served on the Google Impact Fund Board since 2019. She also became a Fellow of Thiel Capital, backed by Palantir co-founder and principal OpenAI investor Peter Thiel, as well as the 776 Foundation, backed by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Haley Pavone Scaled Her Convertible Heel Invention To 8 Figures With Zero Marketing Spend
Haley Pavone, CEO of Pashion Footwear. Forbes 30 under 30 alumn, Haley Pavone, turned her struggle, and countless other women's struggle, of wearing painful footwear into an eight figure business. After having enough with dealing with painful heels, she decided to invent a convertible sole with interchangeable heels. Since its launch in June 2019, Pashion has experienced significant growth, reporting an 85% increase in sales last year and a 19% EBITDA. 'The idea first struck me in the Spring of 2016. After thinking on the idea for a while and developing a rough business plan. Shortly after coming up with the idea, I carried out extensive market research, reading through old patents for similar concepts and identifying what went wrong. I quickly realized that while prior attempts had focused solely on removing the heel, in order to make a technology that was both functional and attractive - it was essential that the sole be innovated on as well. No other attempt at a technology like this had ever reached the same conclusion, confirming for me that I was on to something unique and compelling. Once I had my initial idea, I participated in my university's startup pitch competitions to secure my first $26,500 in equity-free funding. I used that money to hire a professional footwear development team, create the first wearable prototypes, and file our initial utility patents. I formally founded the company on October 4th, 2016 and after two and half years of R&D, we launched to market with our website on June 24, 2019. ' Pavone explained. Pashion's patented technology allows for interchangeable heels giving consumers the option to go ... More from flats to kitten or high heels all within the same wear. One of the biggest challenges Pavone faced after launching was educating the consumer around this new concept. Through trial and error Pavone and her team honed in on grass roots marketing that led them to eight figures in lifetime sales. 'Our biggest marketing challenge from day one was the fact that we weren't just launching a new brand, but an entirely new category. Global google searches for "convertible heels" were >100 per month when we got started. We knew we had an uphill battle of not only getting the word out that the "impossible shoe" had been made possible and was now a viable option to look for, but that we also had to earn the consumers trust. After all, the concept is so novel that at first, it can seem "too good to be true". We had to gain awareness, educate, and earn trust before each and every sale,' she further explained. 'Eventually, we learned that truly our most effective marketing had to be organic, women trust other women more than they could ever trust a new brand they haven't heard of prior. We launched ambassador programs and carried out product seeding efforts to get our initial community of Pashionistas bought in and then armed them with discounts codes and content guides to help spread the word to friends and family. Seeing the shoes (in person) really is believing - and seeing them used by your best friend on her wedding day so she can dance all night pain-free? That's what sells more shoes.' Pavone hasn't spent a dollar on digital advertising in nearly three years. Since 2023, Pashion's organic content, ambassador programs and corresponding word of mouth has driven over 9M visitors to the Pashion site. Pashion's patented technology, known as the Stelo, is the only method of shoe conversion that allows for a stable heel with the same structural integrity as a non-convertible heel and a flexible midsole that lays completely flat when the mechanism is removed in addition to full heel customization, allowing a consumer to swap shapes, heights, and designs. This three-pronged approach to footwear gives pashion a competitive edge against other technologies that do not utilize a removable sole. Typically support is limited, either by a sole that's too rigid to go flat, a sole that's too flexible for a safe heel, or a mechanism that lacks the ability to swap the heels. The Stelo utility patents are fully issued in 30 countries, securing market dominance in this emerging category. Pahsion's interchangeable heel's have been extremely popular amongst brides. Pavone emphasized the unique aspects of Pashion's business model, fueled by its patented convertible shoe technology that allows wearers to mix and match different heel heights and designs along with a chosen sole. This innovation fosters customer loyalty and provides the brand with a high percentage of repeat orders. When it comes to the design process for heel styles, Pavone looks to the Pashion community for inspiration, 'Our design process is a team effort that incorporates a mix of our sales data, industry trend forecasts, and, most importantly, customer feedback and social commentary. Having built such a strong online community, we are always asking our customers what they want to see next, sharing BTS videos with them about the design process, and collecting their feedback in real-time along the way. This approach has been a major factor in the rabid success of our drop days , for instance, posting over 15 same-day sellouts in 2024,' she explained. 'Our most popular shoe for a first-time customer is the Latte Leather Sandal with a 3" Block Heel. Overall, our 3" block heels across all styles sell the best, gaining praise for being exceptionally comfortable and convenient while still providing that classic heel look.' In 2024 Pashion grew its top line 85%, achieving $9M in gross sales and posting a 19% EBITDA (which is nearly double the industry average of 10%). This growth is attributed to the unique customization model allowing Pashion to post industry-leading margins across its blended assortment. Later this year, Pashion will be launching its first collection created with a guest designer, bolstering its brand awareness further. Continuing to propel growth, Pavone is also exploring exciting pathways into retail, revolutionizing the shoe shopping experience as customers will be able purchase a fully customized product same-day. Currently, Pashion is available to purchase on and a capsule collection available on
