| Tell us about your company: |
| Brainfood is the first sparkling water designed specifically for brain health — a clean, caffeine-free beverage infused with science-backed nutrients we commonly lack to support focus, clarity, and stress resilience. Founded by a scientist and a doctor, we are on a mission to make brain wellness simple, enjoyable, and accessible for busy people everywhere. |
| What inspired you to start your business? |
| Brainfood was born from our personal experiences in high-pressure academic and professional environments where mental health was often sacrificed for performance. As a scientist and a doctor, we saw a gap in the beverage market—plenty of options for energy or gut health, but nothing designed to nourish the brain—so we set out to create a delicious, accessible way to support cognitive wellness every day. |
| What are your proudest achievements so far? |
| We built Brainfood from scratch during business and medical school, crafting our first formula in a commercial kitchen and securing a co-packer to scale production. We won multiple startup grants and pitch competitions at Wharton, signaling strong belief in our product and vision from the entrepreneurial community. We were named a finalist in the Prepared Foods Spirit of Innovation Awards, selected as one of just five beverages from nearly 200 entries. We created a product our customers genuinely enjoy — with high taste ratings and real reports of enhanced focus and mental clarity. Our community has told us that Brainfood’s science-backed tips and educational content have helped them integrate brain health tools into their daily routines. |
| What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs: |
| Believe deeply in your mission — let it be the foundation of your product and your resilience. There will always be skeptics and supporters, but if your work is rooted in a purpose you truly stand behind, you’ll have the clarity and courage to navigate every hurdle. Mission-driven conviction is what carries you through the chaos, the pivots, and the days when you feel like giving up – and remind you why you started this adventure in the first place. |
| Please share a memory or thought about your alma mater: |
| Northwestern is where I met some of my closest and dearest friends, and where I truly grew into myself. While countless hours were spent in the library, it’s also where I deepened my friendship… including the one that eventually became my husband. I also found unforgettable moments dancing on the Annnenberg stage with Fusion Dance Co., thriving through 30 hours straight at Dance Marathon (every year), and braving blizzards to trek from South Campus to Tech because I was too impatient to wait for the shuttle. I loved it – except maybe the mile walk in the freezing cold. |
Alumni Emporium 