brrr° Founder & CEO Mary-Cathryn Kolb Selected for EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ Class of 2019
ATLANTA — November 6, 2019 – EY announced today that Mary-Cathryn Kolb, Founder and CEO of cooling fabric innovator brrr°, was chosen as one of the 13 women founders selected for the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ North America Class of 2019. The program, which is in its 12th year, identifies ambitious women entrepreneurs who are leading thriving organizations and provides the access, advisors and resources needed to scale their companies to their full potential and ultimately become leading market innovators. Program engagement offers participants executive education and introductions to the vast EY global entrepreneurial ecosystem as well as the Entrepreneurial Winning Women community worldwide.
“This opportunity to develop stronger leadership and operational skills alongside this incredibly talented group of women is an impactful experience that will make brrr° more effective and competitive,” Kolb said. “Implementing the insights, ideas and tools shared among this network of visionary entrepreneurs will help brrr° become more strategic, nimble and resourceful. I am so grateful to be part of this program, and part of the global EY family.”
This year’s class of women-led high-growth companies across the US and Canada span a variety of industries, with a particularly strong showing in the technology sector, including three innovating in FinTech. More than one-third of the companies are tech-focused, with offerings ranging from innovative and money-saving payment solutions for SMEs to patented textile technology designed to cool the wearer in minutes. Additional sectors include diverse and inclusive beauty products, clean energy financing, nutrition-driven food production and innovative health and wellness products. The judging panel for the Class of 2019 consisted of Beth Ferreira, General Partner of FirstMark Capital; David Liu, Co-founder of XO Group, Inc. (formerly The Knot, Inc.); Nicole Smith, Founder and CEO of Flytographer; and Naomi Whittel, Founder & CEO of Naomi Whittel Brands.
“Acceptance into the Entrepreneurial Winning Women program is a testament to these founders’ drive, grit and vision,” said Lisa Schiffman, EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women Global Program Lead and a Director with Ernst & Young LLP. “EY is delighted to once again have the opportunity to offer critical resources, guidance and community so these women founders can more readily scale their businesses beyond what they may have initially thought possible.”
The North America program targets women business owners who are founding CEOs of any US or Canadian privately held company less than 10 years old. Company revenues typically range from at least $2 million to as much as $30 million annually.
This year’s class convened for the first time at a two-day orientation in New York City this September. The entrepreneurs took part in educational sessions including pitch coaching, TRACOM Social Styles® and building a public profile. On an ongoing basis, Entrepreneurial Winning Women take part in additional workshops, conferences and training sessions; become part of the EY global community of more than 500 Entrepreneurial Winning Women on every continent; and forge connections to a vast community of EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ alumni throughout the world.
“As advisors to the ambitious, we feel privileged to be a part of these founders’ business journeys,” said Lee Henderson, EY Americas Growth Markets Leader. “The program underscores EY’s continued commitment to foster the success of women entrepreneurs and reinforce their positive impact on the global economy.”
The Class of 2019 will be officially recognized during the Strategic Growth Forum® US November 13-17, 2019, in Palm Springs, California. Founded and produced by EY, the Forum is the country’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies, bringing together more than 2,000 of the nation’s top executives, entrepreneurs, advisors, investors and other business leaders.
About brrr°
brrr° was founded in 2014 to develop technologically advanced fabrics with superior cooling performance to promote comfort in the items we touch in our everyday lives. brrr° enhances the cooling capabilities of business clothing, casual clothing, athletic apparel, denim, uniforms, sheets and many other textiles. The privately held Atlanta-based company is led by Founder and CEO Mary-Cathryn Kolb, who previously held senior positions at Spanx, Seven Jeans, TOMS Shoes and Von Dutch. For more information, please visit www.brrr.com.
Media contact for brrr°:
Mary Jane Credeur | The Credeur Group
mj@credeurgroup.com | 404.317.2718
About EY
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.
EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation is available via ey.com/privacy. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.
This news release has been issued by EYGM Limited, a member of the global EY organization that also does not provide any services to clients.
About EY Growth Markets
EY Growth Markets professionals connected across the globe are trusted business advisors to CEOs, owners and entrepreneurs leading private and family enterprises, including those managing increasing flows of private capital worldwide. We have a long legacy advising these ambitious leaders in realizing their ambitions, faster. With private entities making up more than 90% of EY clients, our professionals appreciate the owner mindset and possess the know-how needed to think differently about delivering business results, practically and sustainably. ey.com/private
IFAI Women in Textiles Summit Announces Program
The event will take place from 19-21 February 2020 in Nashville, TN. © IFAI
After a successful inaugural event, the IFAI Women in Textiles Summit will once again join experienced and emerging leaders to discuss current challenges, diverse perspectives, and creative approaches.
The event organized by the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), will take place from 19-21 February 2020 in Nashville, TN, expecting current and future leaders from industry segments including advanced textiles, geosynthetics, marine, military, specialty fabrics, and shade and weather.
After the welcome reception on 19 February, the event will feature a range of panel discussions over the following two days. “The goal of the summit is to strengthen the advancement of women and men through an interactive forum that provides education, networking, and dialogue about important issues affecting women in business. The event will explore how women are contributing to the success of their organizations and the textile industry,” organizers report.
The first day of the summit will start off with a casual and energizing networking session, which will provide time to chat about trending topics and share your triumphs and challenges. It will be followed by an opening keynote presentation entitled Lab Coats & Lipstick: Staying Close to R&D, Harnessing Your Network and Mentoring Future Leaders. Mary-Cathryn Kolb, founder, and CEO of brrr° will talk about how her early career prepared her for becoming an entrepreneur, and the importance of staying closely involved in R&D. She will discuss how invaluable her professional network has been in opening doors with potential customers and investors.
Communicating in a firm, yet approachable manner can be difficult for many women. Stop Saying 'Please' by Rachal McCarthy, President of NTI Global, will discuss several key phrases and methods of expression which can be used to diffuse a situation, set a new tone, and provide clear boundaries.
Samantha Marion, Textile Development Manager for Top Value Fabrics & Laura Martin, Purchasing Manager for Top Value Fabrics, will lead an interactive discussion about the imposter syndrome, exploring tools to combat this albatross that can weigh down the success of talented women.
Stephanie Rodgers, Director Advanced Product Development, Apex Mills, will highlight a few women from different backgrounds that have used textiles as a platform for science and innovation, highlighting e-textiles and how attendees can encourage this new market sector.
After a series of roundtable discussions, Power, Presence and Impact for Women by Karen Hinds, author, and founder and CEO of Workplace Success Group, will use data and proven strategies to demonstrate how women can own their power and develop their competitive edge.
On 21 February, the morning yoga session will start the second morning off with self-care that helps you reflect on the prior day's education while connecting with colleagues.
Finally, the panel discussion on The Next Generation: Attract, Mentor and Develop Future Leaders will help understand both sides of the talent development process and shed light on mentoring the next generation of leaders.
Article is from Innovation in Textiles
brrrº Mentioned in New Beginnings For 2020 At Texworld USA And Apparel Sourcing USA
NEW YORK CITY — October 29, 2019 — The Winter 2020 edition of Texworld USA comes with exciting updates and a new artistic direction from the influential New York-based agency, The Doneger Group. With a unique and creative flair, The Doneger Group will spearhead the must-attend industry event, the Texworld Showcase, offering trend insights on the newest colors and textile offerings for the Spring/Summer 2021. This edition’s trend showcase is called The Next Dimension and will feature four themes, Fundamental, Diaphanous, Alteration, and One World. Highlighting functional and quality-made fabrics, visitors can look forward to an array of fabrics that move beyond performance and design.
An industry source for education and inspiration, each edition of Texworld USA and Apparel Sourcing USA has a central focus. The direction for 2020 is a spotlight on innovation through the evolution of today’s fabrics: denim, cotton, and functional fabrics.
Aligning with the 2020 spotlight and continuing the conversation from last edition’s FASHIONSUSTAIN, Texworld USA welcomes the debut of FASHIONINNOVATE, a one-day conference dedicated to tools and innovative fabrics that address industry challenges and will assist companies in the quest for sustainability. Opening its doors on Sunday, January 19, 2020, the conference will allow industry experts to cover topics such as technology tools, bio-synthetics, smart textiles and more, that will inspire and offer solutions for the growing industry standards. This Winter will also host an Innovation Showcase on the show floor, featuring a curated selection of cutting-edge textiles, materials, and technologies.
Returning with a host of cutting-edge companies exhibiting this January, is industry leader, brrr°. After realizing a need for an authentic cooling technology, entrepreneur Mary-Cathryn Kolb began working with technicians in Taiwan, and in 2014, brrr° was established. Powered by breakthrough technology, the company uses a proprietary blend of natural cooling minerals, active wicking and rapid drying technologies that work together to create a Triple Chill Effect that instantly and continuously draws heat and moisture away from the skin. “This show [Texworld USA] is a can’t-miss opportunity for brrr° because it connects us with some of the most influential decision-makers who are looking for innovative technologies that give them an edge in a very competitive marketplace,” said Mary-Cathryn Kolb, Founder & CEO of brrr°. A premiere functional fabric for every day, brrr° offers next-generation technology, such as advanced methods for dispersion, ways to increase the surface area of the minerals in the yarn to amplify the cooling effect.
Adding to the strong educational program, Lenzing Fibers returns to Texworld USA with a robust series focused on finding dynamic solutions to industry and environmental problems. “We’re looking forward to a new year in sustainable sourcing opportunities. Despite the apparel industry sourcing challenges, we see Texworld USA as an opportunity for alternative sourcing solutions for today’s market. The Lenzing Innovation Seminar Series includes topics ranging from sustainability, tech, and sourcing” comments Tricia Carey, Lenzing Fiber’s Director of Global Business Development. “We think the assortment of new mills participating at the show covers a variety of customer needs, from the larger brands to DTC customers. With that, Lenzing has recommendations for sourcing fabrics with TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal.” The Texworld USA Educational Program including Lenzing Innovation Seminar Series and Textile Talks is open to all registered Texworld USA and Apparel Sourcing USA attendees. Seating is available on a first-come-first-serve basis.
A forum for the industry to explore high-quality apparel fabrics, trims and accessories at reasonable prices, Texworld USA covers over 18 product categories, including cotton, denim, functional fabrics, jacquard, drapery and tailoring, silky aspects, and more. Visitors searching for information on trends in textiles will have the ability to network with manufacturers and suppliers, as well as come away with insights from the line-up of complimentary educational sessions that dive into trends in the industry, sustainable solutions, and innovation in technology.
“We chose innovation as the direction for 2020 as a way to call attention to the inventiveness in the industry and take steps towards synchronizing sustainability and innovation,” said Jennifer Bacon, show director of fashion and apparel. “By adding elements like FASHIONINNOVATE and the curated innovation showcase, we achieve our objective to elevate our platform by bringing in the brightest minds to spread awareness on these topics.”
Lastly, Texworld USA is excited to welcome the return of Local Loft. Better than before, Local Loft addresses the growing demand of low to mid-level minimums. Focusing on domestic suppliers, Local Loft is a designated area at the show that provides direct access to apparel fabric buyers, research and development specialists, designers, and fashion companies. Connecting broader groups of domestic apparel service providers to those seeking US-based production options, in-stock/inventory, and small quantity options in a unique platform, Local Loft is designed to mitigate the need for speed-to-market by offering a forum to source domestic raw material suppliers and factories.
Posted October 30, 2019
Source: Messe Frankfurt USA
Can Cooling Clothing Help Your Golf Handicap?
Finishing a round of golf takes intense concentration, endurance, and grit — especially during the warm months when the relentless sun and humidity can make you a soggy mess at the end of the course.
By the end of 18 holes, or even when you’re just playing 9, most golfers are drenched in sweat, overheated and completely exhausted.
What if your clothing could keep you cool, dry and comfortable? What if your clothes could help you focus on your game and improve your handicap?
We’re excited by this new line of Omaha golf polos and Guide sport workout shirts by Greyson that feature brrr° natural cooling minerals, active wicking, and rapid drying.
brrr° combines those technologies to create a “Triple Chill Effect” that instantly and continuously pulls away heat and moisture away from the skin. The superior cooling capabilities of brrr° fabrics are independently lab tested and verified to outperform other products on the market.
We like the way that all of Greyson’s apparel is carefully designed for a tailored, polished look that’s comfortable and casual enough to wear on the links and off. The Guide shirt also marks their foray into performance workout clothing and brings the comfort of cooling technology to active lifestyles.
Give up the bogeys and get more birdies with brrr° cooling performance clothing by Greyson. To learn more about integrating brrr° technology into your products, you can contact us here.
Love Your Tennis Game with NinetyEight6 Men’s Tennis Apparel Featuring brrr°
Love means everything when it comes to cool comfort on the court.
Tennis apparel maker NinetyEight6 introduced a new line of clothing featuring the cooling power of brrr° technology to help athletes stay cool, dry and comfortable so they can play their best.
The NinetyEight6 line has brrr°’s patented blend of natural cooling minerals, along with active wicking and rapid drying technologies that work together to create a Triple Chill Effect. brrr° instantly and continuously draws heat and moisture away from the skin, and is independently lab tested and proven to keep you cooler. 
The design-forward line of tennis wear by NinetyEight6 also use body mapping technology that promotes sweat evaporation, and reflective colors that help reduce heat buildup. The polos, crew shirts, and shorts are designed to maximize freedom of movement, and they fall back into place after every stroke to help players stay focused and perform better on the court.
“Tennis is a uniquely challenging sport, and nobody can come in and take your place if you are overheated or just plain worn out,” said David Dougherty, Founder & CEO of NinetyEight6 and an avid tennis player. “We wanted to create a line of tennis apparel that was designed in every way to help you perform better, and brrr° will help keep players cool, comfortable and focused.”
Dougherty, the former CEO of call center operator Convergys Corp., founded NinetyEight6 with a mission to develop advanced cooling tennis apparel that gives players of all skill levels a distinct performance advantage on the court.
NinetyEight6 is also committed to investing in the next generation of players and has pledged to donate 10% of profits to community organizations and not-for-profits that help make tennis more accessible to young players. You can buy the new NinetyEight6 line of men’s tennis shirts and shorts featuring brrr° cooling technology here.
Sourcing Journal Recognizes ‘Next Level’ Cooling Performance From brrr°
As our climate gets hotter, is there a way to fool Mother Nature through technological advancements in textiles that can help keep us cooler?
Absolutely, says Arthur Friedman, a lead writer at influential trade publication Sourcing Journal.
Product developments by brrr° and others help make the apparel wearer – from outdoor enthusiasts to spectators – cooler or warmer while also improving their performance, Friedman wrote. Products that battle odor, moisture, and durability are also getting more attention.
The Sourcing Journal article recognized the way brrr°’s patented cooling technology combines natural minerals, active wicking, and rapid drying to create a trademarked “Triple Chill Effect” that instantly and continuously draws heat and moisture away from the body.
Friedman also noted that brrr° nylon and polyester fabrics consistently outperformed numerous other comparable products in independent laboratory tests that measured Qmax (cool to the touch), wicking and dry time.
“The patented process behind brrr° cooling technology has just been put to the test by independent labs that show it consistently outperforms other products available to consumers and can keep people cooler and more comfortable in everyday activities,” Friedman wrote.
These “next level” advancements are going to help people cope with a warmer climate, he said.
To learn more about how to integrate brrr° cooling technology into your product lines, you can reach us here.
Southern Tide + brrr° = Cool Customers
The company you keep says a lot about your brand and we’re delighted by our partnership with Southern Tide, the leader in coastal lifestyle clothing. 
Southern Tide uses brrr°’s natural cooling minerals, active wicking, and rapid drying to create a “Triple Chill Effect” in a new line of clothing that helps keep people cooler and more comfortable all day long.
Earlier this year, Southern Tide launched a line of Intercoastal Performance dress shirts for men that Business Insider raved about, saying it was “perfect for the transition from the office to happy hour.”
Another popular item is the Southern Tide brrr° cotton/polyester Gulf shorts with a 10-inch seam and four-way stretch for ultimate comfort
Southern Tide also has a line of brrr° polo shirts with UPF 50+ sun protection that come in summer-ready colors such as pineapple and tidewater.
Since it was founded in 2006 by a then-college student who wanted to bring the polished, laid back coastal lifestyle look to the rest of the world, Southern Tide has since grown into a leading apparel brand with fans far beyond the Southern United States.
The company also offers women’s clothing and children’s apparel, as well as collegiate polos, hoodies and other garments.
Southern Tide has been so pleased with initial sales of the brrr° collection that they are adding brrr° cooling technology to several new product lines in 2020.
We’re proud of our partnership with Southern Tide, and how it brings two growing brands together to make superior products.
If you would like to learn more about what brrr° can do for you, please reach out to us here.
Business Insider: Southern Tide brrr° Shirts Are ‘Perfect’
Professional men face a dilemma when temperatures soar: wear something formal and be sweaty and uncomfortable, or go for casual comfort that doesn’t project a polished image.
The two shouldn’t be mutually exclusive.
Dress shirts are getting a promotion with a new line of Southern Tide Intercoastal Performance Shirts that feature brrr° natural cooling minerals, active wicking and rapid drying.
Those technologies work together to create a “Triple Chill Effect” that instantly and continuously draws heat and moisture away from the skin to keep men cooler, comfortable and more confident at work.
Business Insider’s Danny Bakst recently ranked the Southern Tide brrr° shirts among the best tried-and-tested performance dress shirts that will help men beat the summer heat.
“I tested this shirt on one of the first warm days of the year, and beyond reducing sweat, the fabric really helped keep me cool throughout the day,” Bakst wrote. “The shirt is exceptionally stretchy, and is perfect for the transition from the office to happy hour.”
The Southern Tide shirts are a great choice for business casual settings, and they elevate Southern Tide’s reputation as a maturing brand that provides clothing for men that spans everything from weekend activities such as backyard barbecues to professional office settings, Bakst said.
Previously, men were resigned to several months of “yellow armpit stains, uncomfortably damp backs, and musty commutes,” Business Insider said. Now, performance cooling shirts marry functionality and comfort with a professional look.
“In the past, the only solution to this problem was having back-up undershirts hidden under your desk and a few spare deodorants in your file cabinet,” Bakst wrote. “But in a stroke of genius, many brands have utilized the fabrics and materials designed to wick away sweat in athletic gear and applied it to clothing more appropriate for a work setting.”
That pretty much nails it, Bakst. It’s exactly what we did with the Southern Tide Intercoastal Performance Shirts, as well as the polos and cotton/polyester blend weekend shorts.
Learn more about how brrr°’s Triple Chill Effect technology can improve the fabrics you wear at work and at play. You can reach us here.
Forbes Recognizes the Science of brrr° Cooling Technology
Cool doesn’t just happen by accident.
There is rigorous research and development, trial and error, and countless trips back to the drawing board in order to make the breakthroughs that lead to innovative new products.
After nailing some early wins, some companies get complacent. Not us.
At brrr°, we test and iterate. And then we test and iterate some more.
Innovation is central to everything we do, and retailers and manufacturers are counting on our claims of cooling fabrics to make their own brands stronger and create important differentiators at the point of sale with our cool-to-the-touch features.
Forbes writer Jeff Kart recognized our scientific rigor in a recent article: “Test data from an independent lab that shows brrr°'s technology can keep people cooler and more comfortable in everyday activities.”
Each year, we spend significant amounts of money on independent lab tests by globally respected testing companies to prove that the cooling, wicking and drying capabilities of our fabrics outperform other brands.
brrr° nylon is more than twice as cool feeling as other brands on the market. brrr° nylon received a Qmax score of 0.217, compared with 0.103 for another brand, according to independent tests by an internationally recognized testing facility conducted according to the FTTS-FA-019 standard.
brrr° nylon wicks away moisture in as little as 1 minute, compared with 8 minutes and 31 minutes for other brands.
It also dries faster than other brands — 7 minutes and 4 minutes quicker than two other competing products.
You can see the complete test results here, along with fabric descriptions and details on the tests that were performed.
Innovation is part of our DNA as a fast-growing innovator of cooling fabric, and it’s what propelled us to create our “Triple Chill Effect” technology.
We have patented methods for integrating natural cooling minerals, active wicking, and rapid drying to instantly and continuously draw heat and moisture away from the skin, and we’re working hard on next-generation products that will build upon the advances we’ve already made.
Let’s talk about how we can make your fabric lineup even better with the cooling powers of brrr°. You can reach us here.
Exploring the Future of Cool at the Functional Fabric Fair in NYC
Performance fabrics are making major advances with better wicking technology, more stretch and greater breathability to keep us comfortable as we go about our everyday lives.
We think fabrics should also do more to keep us cooler.
That’s why brrr° developed a patented blend of natural cooling minerals that are embedded right into the polymer matrix of the yarn. The minerals work together with active wicking and rapid drying technologies to create a “Triple Chill Effect."
brrr°’s cooling sensation is immediate and continuous, and unlike other fabrics that are sprayed or coated to create a cooling effect, brrr° technology is a permanent the yarn so it won’t ever fade or disappear with repeated washings.
Product development executives, textile scientists and retail buyers explored the wide variety of brrr° cooling fabrics that were showcased at the Functional Fabric Fair by Performance Days trade show in New York City on July 22 and 23.
brrr°’s library includes hundreds of woven and knit fabrics, and the technology can be integrated into virtually any existing fabric used by manufacturers and retailers.
The cooling, wicking and drying capabilities of brrr° consistently outperform other brands on the market, and each fabric is rigorously tested by globally recognized independent labs to prove its effectiveness. You can see test results here.
“Consumers expect more from their clothes and the fabrics they touch throughout the day,” said Julie Brown, Vice President of Sales at brrr°. “Drawing heat and moisture away from the skin will keep people cooler and more comfortable so they can feel their best.”
brrr° cooling fabric technology is already being used or will be featured in upcoming product launches by Southern Tide, GAP, Jos. A. Bank, Men’s Wearhouse, Mizzen+Main, Coral Coast Clothing, Greyson, GILLZ, The Gameheadwear and CAT apparel to name a few.
Let’s talk about how we can improve your fabrics with the cooling powers of brrr°. You can reach us here.
