Cambridge Innovation Center Specials

This special interview series, CICxTheBrandBlueprint, spotlights visionary founders from the CIC Social Impact Accelerator.

Each episode features candid conversations with alumni who are building brands at the intersection of purpose and profit. From wellness and beauty to tech and food innovation, these entrepreneurs share how CIC’s program helped shape their strategies, expand their networks, and unlock new levels of growth.

Whether you’re a founder, funder, or future changemaker, these stories are packed with real-world lessons, creative inspiration, and unapologetic honesty about the challenges and triumphs of social impact entrepreneurship.

Capsule Guests

Meet the alumni of the CiC cohorts.

Kat Lazell

Program Manager, CiC

With years of experience creating and executing events and programs across different industries, Kat thrives on organization and connecting the dots. Her passion is giving people access to ideas, industries, and relationships that they wouldn't ordinarily come across.

Sam Garcia

Social Impact Program Coordinator, CiC

CIC's Social Impact Program supports underrepresented, Massachusetts-based founders connect with resources, networks, and grow their businesses.

Kirti Madhu

EMBr

As the founder of EMBr, Kirti Madhu has created a device designed to detect overdoses and send immediate alerts to emergency contacts, ensuring the safety of those at risk. This project stems from her deep interest in substance use and my commitment to developing accessible solutions for vulnerable populations.

Dianna Defelice

Ovease

Ovease is on a mission to revolutionize period care by tackling debilitating menstrual symptoms head-on with innovative, size-inclusive solutions thoughtfully designed with every unique body and individual experience in mind. Life doesn’t pause for period pain, and neither should you.

Jeremy Chow

Tactus

Project manager and co-founder with a passion in technologies and music.
Interested in building solutions that are impactful with creative problem solving.

Sheila Phicil

Phicil-itate Change

Phicil-itate Change helps early-stage health tech startups design radically patient-centered solutions that work, scale, and last using our SEED Framework and COMPASS Project to transform real patient narratives into actionable insights that accelerate product-market fit.

Nazr El-Scari

Solecit

Nazr inspires every person he comes in contact with through his authenticity, passion, optimism, and determination. Here at Solecit, we are designed to serve people who are looking to discover or redefine their personal style from the ground up, starting with footwear.