A Look at Giana Jarrah's Entrepreneurial Journey, Joined by Meraki Co., Within Lehigh's Business Ecosystem
At Lehigh University, the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science welcomed a new student in 2022 - Giana Jarrah. Little did they know, this student would soon embark on a journey that would see her launch a successful startup, With Meraki Co.
With Meraki Co. recently launched a second product, With Harmony, targeting hormonal balance and microbiome health, as well as an immune boosting supplement, gut health powder supplement, and a vaginal health guidebook. The company has grown a loyal community base through viral TikTok educational content, amassing over 150k followers.
Jarrah credits the Southside Bethlehem Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ) for helping her company secure patents, develop new products, hire team members, and invest in R&D. With Meraki Co. has sold more than 10,000 units and generated six figures in revenue.
The story of With Meraki Co. began at Lehigh as a senior capstone project. Jarrah was immersed in Lehigh's entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem, which provided her with mentors, resources, experiential learning opportunities, product development labs, pitch competitions, expert coaching, and funding.
One of the key supporters of With Meraki Co. was Lehigh Ventures Lab. The Lab provided financial modeling, team-building support, legal structuring assistance, and access to alumni advisors and investors. Jarrah won one-on-one startup coaching and prototyping funds at EUREKA! Pitch Night.
After graduation, Jarrah pitched at Startup Lehigh Valley and took home a $20,000 grand prize, a $5,000 Ben Franklin Technology Ventures assistance award, and a $100,000 Early Stage Firm fund investment from Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania seed fund.
Jarrah's entrepreneurial spark was personal, due to her mother's diagnosis with aggressive pre-cervical cancer. This spark led her to create products that empower women with real solutions backed by science. With Meraki Co. has scaled operations while staying true to its core mission.
With Meraki Co. has expanded sales into Canada and is actively working on expanding to other countries globally. The company's success is a testament to the comprehensive and multifaceted role Lehigh University's entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem plays in supporting and fostering startup growth.
[1] Lehigh University, Baker Institute for Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation, https://www.lehigh.edu/bakerinstitute [2] Lehigh Ventures Lab, https://www.lehigh.edu/ventureslab
- Giana Jarrah, a Lehigh University engineering graduate, launched a health-and-wellness startup, With Meraki Co., in 2022.
- With Meraki Co. recently launched a product line, targeting hormonal balance, gut health, immune system support, and women's health.
- The growth of With Meraki Co. can be attributed to support from the Southside Bethlehem Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ), Lehigh Ventures Lab, and various pitch competitions.
- With Meraki Co. has sold over 10,000 units and generated six figures in revenue, with a loyal community base of over 150k TikTok followers.
- Apart from financial and team-building support, Lehigh Ventures Lab also provided legal structuring assistance and access to alumni advisors and investors.
- After graduation, Jarrah secured additional funding from Startup Lehigh Valley, Ben Franklin Technology Ventures, and Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
- Jarrah's personal experience with her mother's health issues sparked her entrepreneurial journey, leading to products focused on women's health backed by science.
- With Meraki Co.'s success and expansion into Canada, it's evident that Lehigh University's entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem plays a vital role in nurturing and supporting startup growth.
References:[1] Lehigh University, Baker Institute for Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation, https://www.lehigh.edu/bakerinstitute[2] Lehigh Ventures Lab, https://www.lehigh.edu/ventureslab
