Lauren Gropper, founder and CEO of Repurpose, has been recognized in the Inc. Female Founders 500 by Inc. Magazine.
The recognition highlights Lauren Gropper’s work in building Repurpose into a leading sustainable consumer brand that has replaced more than 656 million pieces of single-use plastic with compostable alternatives available in 20,000+ retail stores across the United States.
These milestones reflect the incredible journey of Repurpose, a portfolio company of Propel(x), and its founder and CEO Lauren Gropper.
Recently, Lauren and her work were recognized with a spot on the Inc. Female Founders 500 by Inc. Magazine — an honor celebrating women entrepreneurs who are building successful companies while driving meaningful change.
Turning a Problem into a Mission
Lauren didn’t originally set out to build a company.
The idea for Repurpose began with a simple but powerful observation: the massive amount of single-use plastic waste generated on Hollywood film sets. Seeing the scale of the problem sparked a question — could everyday products be redesigned to reduce this environmental burden?
That question led to the founding of Repurpose, which became the first brand to bring compostable tableware into mainstream retail across the United States.
Redefining Everyday Products
Today, Repurpose produces compostable plates, cups, utensils, and food storage products designed as alternatives to conventional plastic.
By combining thoughtful design with sustainable materials, the company has helped replace over 656 million pieces of plastic, bringing environmentally responsible options to more than 20,000 retail stores nationwide.
The brand’s growth proves that sustainability and commercial success can go hand in hand.
Supporting Mission-Driven Founders
At Propel(x), we believe the most impactful companies are often built by founders who begin with a mission.
Lauren’s journey reflects that philosophy. She didn’t just identify a problem — she built a scalable solution that enables consumers and businesses to reduce plastic waste in everyday life.
We’re proud to support founders like Lauren who don’t just talk about change — they manufacture it.
Congratulations to the Repurpose Team
Recognition from Inc.’s Female Founders 500 highlights not only Lauren’s leadership but also the dedication of the entire Repurpose team working to create a more sustainable future.
Congratulations to Lauren and everyone at Repurpose on this well-deserved recognition.
If you’re interested in discovering innovative companies and mission-driven founders like Repurpose, you can learn more by registering at Propel(x).
