Femly, a Black-owned company known for its organic cotton period products, won $50,000 at the 5th annual HI-HERImpact Pitch Competition this past month in Detroit.

Supported by 1863 Ventures and the Ford Motor Company Fund, HI-HERImpact is a pitch competition designed to assist women social entrepreneurs in scaling their enterprises to increase their impact and long-term sustainability.

“Winning (the) top prize in Hi-HerImpact is transformative for Femly,” CEO Arion Long. “I was overjoyed to receive inbound customer interest for our period care dispensers during our pitch. The financial award, introductions, and support from this competition directly support our growth, job creation, and ability to scale.”

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News of the victory comes at a time when the company is expanding distribution of its period products at CVS stores and marketing its patent-pending dispensers to support the business’ growth in retail and commercial hubs.

Femly provides a variety of products related to menstrual health, including organic and chemical-free menstrual pads, tampons, and liners. These products are designed to be safer and more environmentally friendly compared to traditional menstrual care items.

It offers a subscription service, allowing customers to receive their preferred menstrual products on a regular schedule. Beyond providing menstrual care products, Femly is known for its social and environmental initiatives. The company has a commitment to sustainability and often incorporates eco-friendly materials into its products.

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Meanwhile, The Lab Drawer took home a second-place prize of $25,000 for its non-profit offering STEM education to young individuals in disenfranchised communities. It provides science-themed educational kits for children. These kits typically include materials, instructions, and experiments that cater to different aspects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The company offers a subscription model where parents and guardians can choose kits tailored to the age and interests of the child. Founded by Alecia Gabriel Ph.D. and Deirdre Roberson, the company also offers online resources, such as videos and instructions, to support parents and children.

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Lastly, Black Girl MATHgic won $20,000 for its math-focused subscription box and educational platform dedicated to empowering young Black girls to excel in mathematics. Founded by Brittany A. Rhodes, the platform offers a subscription box service specifically tailored for Black girls. Each box typically includes math-related activities, games, puzzles, books, and other educational materials.

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“We are thrilled to celebrate our winners for their dedication and drive to create positive changes within their communities. These businesses are a testament to the power of innovation and showcase how diverse voices can truly make a change,” 1863 Ventures founder Melissa Bradley said in a statement. “HI-HERImpact's 5th year was an incredible success and we are inspired for the years to come.”