Self-Service

Student-founded vending startup Nuly Root'd aims to supply Black haircare needs

Two Northwestern students have founded Nuly Root'd, a startup with a mission of supplying vending machines stocked with Black haircare supplies.

March 19, 2024

Two Northwestern students have founded Nuly Root'd, a startup with a mission of supplying vending machines stocked with Black haircare supplies, according to a report in huntnewsnu.com.

Ashleigh Chiwaya, who is majoring in psychology and data science, and Naomi Barrant, who is majoring in business administration and communication studies, plan to begin installing vending machines in 2024, with hopes to start out at the Curry Student Center, according to the report.

The co-founders won Northwestern's 2023 Husky Startup Challenge.

"We were facing a lot of pushback of 'Do you really need a vending machine?' 'Why don't you create an app?' However, for us, we felt that a vending machine and the power of taking up space is really important," Chiwaya said in the report.

"What [Northeastern] should know is that supporting us is holding true to their values," Barrant said in the report. "If diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are your values, we embody working towards creating spaces that are more inclusive."