Andie Launches Wave Maker Incubator to Empower Aspiring Female Founders
Andie, a renowned direct-to-consumer swimwear brand, proudly introduces the Andie Wave Maker Incubator. This semi-annual initiative is crafted to bolster and elevate aspiring female entrepreneurs, offering them the essential aids they need to flourish in their business endeavors.
The Andie Wave Maker Incubator will choose one exceptional entrepreneur per cycle to award a $5,000 cash grant. This funding is intended to be invested in the development of their business. Beyond the financial support, the selected founder will receive personalized mentorship, which includes one-on-one sessions with key members of the Andie team. Furthermore, ongoing strategic guidance from Andie’s leadership will be available to help scale and expand their brand effectively.
To solidify the business’s legal foundation, the program generously includes $10,000 in complimentary legal services provided by Fenwick & West. These services cover incorporation and other vital startup needs. Additionally, participants will gain advice from a leading pitch deck consultant, assisting them in refining investor materials and enhancing fundraising strategies.
The core mission of the incubator is to empower up-and-coming female founders by offering tangible resources and expert insights. This initiative aims to share Andie’s profound expertise in establishing a successful consumer-facing business while developing a supportive network to ensure long-term accomplishments beyond the scope of this program.
Melanie Travis, CEO and Founder of Andie, remarked, “I started Andie in 2016 with a simple idea: swimwear shopping sucks, and I knew I could create something better. It began nine years ago with a crowdfunding campaign, a Shopify page, a logo, and 50 swimsuits. Today, Andie has raised over $30 million, sold millions of swimsuits worldwide, and landed in major retailers like Nordstrom. We’ve collaborated with icons like Demi Moore and Mindy Kaling. I’ve seen it all — the peaks and valleys. I’m excited to take everything I’ve learned and help other founders build and grow their own companies.”
Eligibility for participating in the Andie Wave Maker Incubator mandates that applicants run a consumer-facing business focused on physical goods (excluding tech/SaaS), be in the pre-launch, development, or early stage, and identify as female. Furthermore, candidates must be at least 18 years old and reside in the United States.
Applications are currently open until April 8, 2025. By applying, female founders avail themselves not only of financial backing but also reap the benefits of valuable mentorship, legal guidance, and expert consulting on pitch decks. This comprehensive support arms them with essential tools needed to construct, launch, and scale their businesses. Andie’s unwavering dedication to women-led brands transcends this program, ensuring that participants build long-term connections and benefit from a robust entrepreneurial network.
