Langston Whitlock is an accomplished entrepreneur and co-founder of SAFETRIP, a company revolutionizing medical transportation by offering a platform for both non-emergency and emergency bookings. SAFETRIP provides users with a variety of vehicle options, including cars, vans, and ambulances, with payment options that even include insurance. This innovative approach aims to easily access healthcare transportation.

Recognized as one of the youngest founders on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in 2019, Whitlock’s journey in technology began at just 12 years old when he created an anonymous messaging app to connect with his absent father. This early experience shaped his passion for tech and his desire to make a difference.

The idea for SAFETRIP originated when co-founder Ja’Nese Jean encountered a homeless veteran lacking access to healthcare. Recognizing the urgent need for reliable medical transport, she formed a team and invited Whitlock, aware of his skills and dedication. Together, they aimed to address healthcare access challenges.

Whitlock emphasizes the importance of resilience and seeking mentorship, believing that age does not limit one’s potential. He credits the support of those around him for his achievements and remains open to learning from more experienced individuals in the tech field.

Since its founding, SAFETRIP has raised $2 million in funding and plans to expand beyond its primary base in Georgia. The app is available on both iOS and Android platforms, positioning SAFETRIP to make a significant impact in healthcare transportation.

Whitlock is committed to inspiring others, especially young entrepreneurs, to pursue their passions and overcome obstacles. His journey highlights the power of determination and the potential for creating positive change.

The most effective way to manage a spill is to prevent it from happening in the first place. This problem was at the top of inventor Lily Born’s mind when she was only eight years old. During that time, she observed her grandfather, who was living with Parkinson’s disease, frequently struggling to keep his drinks from spilling. Each incident often left her grandmother with the task of cleaning up the mess, which sparked a thought in Lily’s young mind.

Determined to find a solution, she set to work on creating a unique drinking device that would address this issue. Born invented the three-legged cup, named the Kangaroo cup, designed specifically to resist tipping over. This innovative idea ultimately led her to establish her own company, Imagiroo LLC.

In her quest to perfect the design of the Kangaroo cup, Born, along with her father, embarked on a journey across the globe to JingDeZhen, a city in China renowned as the ceramic’s capital. There, they had the opportunity to refine their prototypes, collaborate with skilled manufacturers, and prepare for a significant production run of the cups, which were made available in both ceramic and plastic varieties. Additionally, they successfully secured financial backing through crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo, which helped bring her vision to fruition.

Today, Lily Born has achieved remarkable success, selling tens of thousands of Kangaroo cups worldwide. Her story serves as a powerful inspiration to children everywhere, encouraging them to adopt a mindset that prioritizes finding solutions rather than simply recognizing problems. Through her innovative thinking and determination, Born has proven that even the youngest among us can make a meaningful impact on the world.

Every child has a dream, and for many, it’s the desire to have their very own pony. While this dream might be attainable for those living in rural areas, for urban and suburban families, it often feels impossible.

That’s exactly what Mia Monzidelis’ parents thought when she asked for a pony at the age of five. Living in Bellmore, Long Island, they told her that a pony just was not practical in their suburban neighborhood. But Mia was not discouraged. Instead, she got creative. She envisioned a way to bring her dream to life without needing a barn or pasture. So, she came up with “Power Pony,” a mechanical pony that had interactive mechanisms controlled through an iPhone app.

These four-legged wonders allow children to experience the joy of riding around on their very own pony. Measuring 20 inches from the ground to the saddle, 16 inches from the footpads to the saddle, and 24 inches in length, Power Pony is compact enough for indoor play, yet big enough to deliver a magical experience.

Mia’s dad, recognizing the potential in her idea, was instrumental in turning her dream into a reality. Together, they tested multiple prototypes until they found the perfect version. “At times, it was frustrating,” Mia recalls, “but we kept going until we got it perfect.”

Fast forward to today, and Power Pony has grown from a simple dream into a successful company with 15 employees and 12 volunteers. During the 2021 holiday season, they sold an impressive 5,000 units. But Mia’s story is not just about business success, it’s also about giving back. In 2021, Power Pony donated $5,000 to the Family & Children’s Association in Garden City, Long Island.

“I’ve always tried to help kids and families in need however I could,” Mia says, “and now with Power Pony, I can make an even bigger impact by supporting children who are sick or in need.”

What started as a simple wish for a pony has become something much bigger, inspiring children everywhere to chase their dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem.