ABOUT THE FUND
The Main Street Entrepreneurs Seed Fund supports Georgia State student entrepreneurs, recent alumni and Georgia State community entrepreneurs with seed funding and mentorship to start and grow new ventures.
ONYX
Elle McCray, Founder
Undergraduate Student, B.A. Film & Media
[email protected]
Jessica Trippiedi, Co-founder
Community Member
Launched January 2021
PROBLEM
With a universal pain-point of substantial
discomfort, the standard experience of
menstruation has been underserved
and underdeveloped
SOLUTION
Innovative products that reimagine the period experience
BUSINESS MODEL
Direct to consumer, subscription service,
e-commerce and wholesale
TARGET MARKET
Gen Z, Millennials
and Endometriosis patients
KEY COMPETITORS
Daye, Tampax, Dame,
Viv for your v and Floria
USE OF FUNDS
50% Legal & FDA/Regulatory,
30% Prototype Manufacturing & Testing
and 20% Marketing
How has your experiences at Georgia State played a role in your becoming an entrepreneur?
As a film student, we’re taught to look at the world through an artistic, purposeful lens. This taught me the power in personal/shared perspective and how impactful it can be. Learning from courses within the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Institute program specifically is what gave me the confidence to launch Onyx.
How did you find your team?
Network, network, network! Put yourself in the places where your dream team members would be. While my team is still small, they are the most perfect individuals I could ask for. I met each of them through talking to others and putting myself out there to receive them.
What does entrepreneurship mean to you?
Entrepreneurship is where purpose and values meet self actualization.
What role has Atlanta played in your entrepreneurial journey?
Atlanta is a startup ecosystem with a plethora of resources and rich entrepreneurial culture.
What advice can you offer to entrepreneurs?
I highly recommend these books to anyone interested in pursuing entrepreneurship:
The Obstacle is the Way by R. Holiday and Big Magic by E. Gilbert
FOUNDER INTERVIEW
ABOUT THE FUND
The Marcus Foundation supports Georgia State student entrepreneurs, recent alumni and Georgia State community entrepreneurs with seed funding and mentorship to start and grow new ventures.