News

Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for 2018 Honors Two Alumni


November 2017

Alumni, Michael Markesbery and Rithvik Venna have been honored by Forbes “30 under 30” in the retail and ecommerce category for 2018.

Each year, Forbes honors 600 entrepreneurs, innovators and game changers from the United States in 20 industries. Forbes will spend months sifting through 15,000 nominations, researching and consulting with experts in the field. The list spotlights the most impressive, inspiring and enviable individuals.

Michael and Rithvik are co-founders of Oros. Both graduated in 2015 with degrees in Zoology. Marksbery also carried an Entrepreneurship minor. The two met at Miami. They made the headlines in 2015 and 2016, when they had not one, but two very successful Kickstarter campaigns to launch Oros.

Oros is the first of its kind. By incorporating a NASA spacesuit technology, aerogel, into its insulation, Oros products keep you warm without all the bulky layers. Over the past couple years, Oros has been working to improve their products to make them even lighter and warmer.

As quoted in Cincinnati.com, Oros founders say, “A lot of these achievements may not have been possible without the support of Miami's Institute for Entrepreneurship.”

Marksbery was spotlighted in the inaugural edition of the Farmer School magazine, The Journey. Videos of the product in use show the jacket being tested with liquid nitrogen (-321 degrees farenheit).

Founders of Oros -- Max Squire, Michael Markesbery and Rithvik Venna Founders of Oros from left to right, Max Squire, Michael Markesbery and Rithvik Venna