Flint Michigan Eyewear - Turning Crisis into Opportunity

How I Serve

I search for emerging companies, technologies, disruptive technologies, innovations, start-ups and up-starts. I’ll look to match potential problems… e.g. “plastic pollution” to solutions… e.g. 3D Printer for recycled plastic waste…for potential venture capitalists, angel investors, and online funders. I’ll also highlight a variety of topics including funding success stories, the environment, housing, medical, artificial intelligence, science, aging populations, disabled populations, social entrepreneurs, philanthropy, and topical news. I’m always searching for great people innovating, inventing, and doing, great things.

I don’t endorse. Only disseminate.

The 411: Investment Opportunity - Genusee eyewear is made in Flint, MI from recycled plastic water bottles. 


Found on: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/genusee-eyewear-made-from-recycled-water-bottles-design#/

Genusee makes eyewear in Flint, MI from recycled single-use plastic water bottles in response to the Flint Water Crisis. Genusee eyewear is democratically designed and offered as both sunglasses and prescription optical. Our mission- Do good for people and the planet by reducing localized plastic waste, creating living wage jobs, encouraging a circular economy, and giving back 1% of profits to the Community Foundation of Greater Flint. Be The Change You Want To See With Genusee.

Our first frame style, the Roeper, is democratically designed to look great on everyone. It is available exclusively on Kickstarter as either prescription optical or sunglasses. 

Our goal is simple: do good for people and the planet using design and collaboration to be the change we want to see. 

Genusee is bringing a new manufacturing legacy to the city of Flint by creating jobs; turning the surplus of plastic waste caused by the man-made water crisis into closed loop eyewear.

It is not just about being able to recycle materials. We want to upcycle single use plastic into products that have more value and purpose. We are able to upcycle 15 water bottles with every purchase.

The Genusee Journey

In early 2016, Genusee’s co-founder Ali Rose VanOverbeke was in her hometown of Detroit volunteering with the American Red Cross during the Flint Water Crisis. While there, she observed the community facing not only a man-made disaster but, also a localized environmental crisis due to the surplus of plastic being brought into the city by NGO’s and aid organizations to meet the community’s daily needs.

Feeling a need to do something, Ali shared her experience with long-term collaborator and co-founder Jack Burns. Together, Ali and Jack began working on a design solution to address issues of plastic waste that would simultaneously create living wage jobs in Flint. They didn’t have an answer to the city’s problems. They simply knew they wanted to help.

Genusee was one of six companies to participate in the inaugural Elaine Gold Launch Pad program in partnership with the CFDA and the Accessories Council. During their time in the program, the team was awarded a micro-grant to further their business venture in Flint.