Seniors at Wake Forest University from Westchester, NY, we met as freshmen and quickly realized we shared a passion for problem-solving, innovation and improving the everyday experiences that matter most - starting with morning.

Olivia, the deep sleeper, spent years battling blaring alarms, water sprays and creative tricks just to get out of bed. Grace, the needer of motivation, recognized that the first five minutes after waking define the entire day - but often left her unmotivated and stuck. We realized the traditional alarm doesn't solve the problem: mornings need more than noise - they need intention.

That's why we created Awaken: a wellness-first under-the-pillow device paired with a companion app. Awaken wakes you gently with vibrations, learns your habits, and delivers personalized motivational mantras through a tiny built-in-speaker -- your voice, your favorite creator, whatever gets you moving. No blaring alarms. No snooze battles. No annoyed roommates. Just a calm, focused, intentional start to your day.