Students Andrew Deves (MSB’25) and Marcelo Gigliani-Alcantarilla (MSB/SFS’25) moderated the Georgetown Founders panel at the 2024 Venture in the Capital Conference. Panelists were Sabrina Sade and Jade Beguelin, co-founders of the skincare brand 4AM Skin; Michael Moriarty, co-founder of Orka Beverage; and Besart Çopa, co-founder and CEO of the wishlist app Chestr.
The founders described the problems that started their companies: a simple, luxurious skincare routine for people too tired for 10 steps, and an energy drink that “tastes like water.” Sade explained balancing medical school with a fast-growing brand, and the 4AM Skin co-founders, who met at Georgetown, credited honest communication for their partnership. Çopa said search content and a good product drove growth when ads became expensive, and that Reddit helped validate the idea with strangers. Their advice: start before you feel ready, stay nimble and tell everyone about your idea, because “you are a founder now.”