The school year has just begun at Northeastern, but IDEA ventures are already hard at work– and it’s paying off. For its September round of Gap Funding, IDEA has awarded a total of $34,000 to four of its ventures: Bureo, Gapelia, Fresh Truck and Presskit.to.
Bureo Skateboards turns plastic pollution into quality skateboards– yes, you read that right. Cofounders Ben Kneppers, David Stover and Kevin Ahearn are all boarding enthusiasts, and have always appreciated the environment that allows them to surf and skate. The trio turned their passion into a business that gives back by creating environmentally friendly skateboards made from plastic found on Chilean coastlines.
Gapelia is a digital magazine that aims to bridge the gap between blogging and booking travel. It allows users, or “Gapelians,” to browse others’ travel stories based on three variables: passions, human feelings, and places. Stories are shared through digital magazines, and users plan and book trips based on what they read. Gapelia was founded by Tomas Raita, a Northeastern alumni, Diego regales, and Abhishek Tiwarii.
Fresh Truck is a mobile produce market serving Boston-area neighborhoods that may not otherwise have access to fresh and affordable food options. Fresh Truck has turned an old school bus into a traveling market, providing fresh fruits, vegetables and other nutritious foods to create a healthier Boston. Cofounders Josh Trautwein and Dan Clarke conceived the idea for Fresh Truck after working with families at the Charlestown MGH Healthcare Center, where they learned of how inconvenient and expensive it can be to shop for produce and healthy food options. Their vision is to completely eradicate food deserts in Boston and surrounding areas.
Presskit.to is an interactive media portfolio optimized for musicians, music industries and educational music institutions that makes it easier to pitch messages. Cofounders Ben Maitland-Lewis and Chris Cave had played in and managed bands, and knew how hard it could be to relay a music-related resume effectively. Presskit.to hopes to simplify the process of music career management with their interactive app.
As always, IDEA is proud to share these stories of success, and is excited to watch these ventures continue to grow! For more information on IDEA and gap funding, please visit our website.
