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The year was 2015 and Claire Coder was at a startup weekend event, held at CoverMyMeds in Columbus, OH. She — like many women — got her period without having a tampon or pad in her purse. CoverMyMeds offered free lunch. It also offered lotions and hairspray in the bathroom, but not free tampons or pads.
It was an “aha” moment. At the event, Coder pitched the idea of a subscription-based service which, like Toms shoes, would match every product purchased with one given to someone in need. She won second place.
At the time, she was a student at Ohio State University. She was 19 when she dropped out of college at the end of 2015 and started Aunt Flow.
Since then, Aunt Flow has raised millions, backed by Harlem Capital, Precursor Ventures, and Breaktrail Ventures. They work with approximately 500 companies including Google, Princeton University and Zappos to make feminine products complementary to students, guests and employees.
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