- December 01, 2023
- By Maryland Today Staff
A University of Maryland undergraduate and alumna were named to DC Inno’s Inno Under 25 class of 2023.
The honor showcases some of the region’s top young innovators under the age of 25, including entrepreneurs, disruptors, philanthropists and venture capital enthusiasts determined to shake up the status quo.
Dilene Upendra ’20 M.Fin. ’21 is an associate at Motley Fool Ventures, where she focuses on sourcing deals, financial modeling and portfolio company monitoring as well as fundraising. She interned for the company while in graduate school at Maryland; she earned degrees in international business and finance.
Upendra is a mentor for the Techstars Washington DC Powered by J.P. Morgan, an accelerator that primarily supports underrepresented founders; serves on the board for VC in D.C.; and is a member of the D.C. chapter of All Raise, a networking group that connects women founders and funders.
Marie Brodsky ’24 is CEO and co-founder of WISE Cities, which connects older adults to their local communities to allow for healthy aging at home. The social impact startup envisions a future without social isolation and with an integrated network of support for older adults. Older adults and family members use the WISE Cities platform to discover local opportunities and resources.
The company has been awarded approximately $60,000 in funding from competition awards, accelerator program stipends as well as a grant from the city of Fairfax, Va.