Inc.’s eighth annual Female Founders list highlights the nation’s top business leaders who challenge the status quo to tackle some of the world’s biggest problems.
New York, NY, March 11, 2025 – Inc., the premier media brand for entrepreneurs and business leaders, has named Maeve T. Wang, Co-founder and CEO of IAMBIC, to its prestigious eighth annual Inc. Female Founders list. Recognized for her groundbreaking contributions to the $400 billion global footwear industry, Wang is pioneering a future where AI-driven, precision-fit footwear is accessible to all—eliminating an age-old problem affecting over 25% of the population.
Inc. Female Founders 500
Wang joins an elite cohort of 500 trailblazing women whose companies collectively generated $9 billion in revenue and raised $10.6 billion in funding in 2024 while tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Selected through Inc.’s rigorous three-round evaluation process, honorees are chosen for their ability to drive economic impact, disrupt industries, and redefine leadership in business.
"I've spent my career at the intersection of retail and technology, watching people struggle with shoes that never quite fit right," said Wang. "IAMBIC goes beyond being a better shoe—it's about fundamentally changing how people experience shoes. Being recognized by Inc. validates our mission to make true personalized fit accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford $10,000 bespoke footwear. We're creating the future of footwear where technology finally serves the human body, not the other way around."
Each year, Inc. editors rigorously evaluate thousands of applicants who are driving innovation and solving major global challenges. The selection process involves three rounds of judging, assessing both quantitative metrics—such as revenue growth, funding, and audience reach—and qualitative impact, including social influence and industry disruption. Honoree selection is honed through the evaluation of the program’s advisory board: Cate Luzio, founder and CEO of Luminary; Anu Duggal, founding partner at Female Founders Fund; Katherine Power, serial entrepreneur and partner at Greycroft; Tiffany Dufu, president of the Tory Burch Foundation and founder of the Cru; and Kay Koplovitz, co-founder and chair at Springboard Enterprises, founder of USA Network.
AI-Powered Innovation Backed by Science
IAMBIC's patent-pending technology translates simple smartphone scans into AI-tailored, precision-fit footwear. Developed over five years of government-backed R&D and testing, IAMBIC’s proprietary AI has been trained on extensive in-house data, making it one of the most advanced fit systems in the world. The company’s technology analyzes 20+ unique foot measurements with accuracy comparable to NASA-grade scanning, delivering personalized fit and performance previously only available in $3,000-$10,000 bespoke footwear.
The company’s debut shoe sold out in just two weeks, and its current model, the MODEL T, was named a TIME Best Invention. IAMBIC has also been recognized by Techstars, the U.S. National Science Foundation, and the Harvard Innovation Lab.
Beyond product innovation, IAMBIC is rapidly scaling through strategic partnerships. The company was recently featured in Times Square through its partnership with Brex, establishing its place as a leading startup in high-growth industries. IAMBIC also holds 12 patent-pending inventions across AI-powered fit optimization, digital-to-physical customization, and next-generation manufacturing techniques. The technology was developed in collaboration with Co-founder and CTO Dr. Raza Hassan and global footwear expert Dr. Hylton Menz, the top most cited researcher in footwear and podiatry globally. With a growing pipeline of partnerships in streetwear, fashion, and performance footwear, IAMBIC is well on its way to setting a new standard for how shoes are made and worn.
“Female founders know what struggle is, but they’re also experts of improvisation, adaptability, and creativity. The women featured on this year’s list exemplify these qualities. Through times of uncertainty, their unwavering dedication and steadfast leadership are not only inspiring but vital to driving progress,” said Inc. executive editor Diana Ransom.
To see the complete list of Inc.'s 2025 Female Founders, visit: https://www.inc.com/female-founders.
About Inc.
Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of its community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating the future of business. Inc. is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow leading business publication Fast Company. For more information, visit www.inc.com.
About IAMBIC
IAMBIC, named a TIME Best Invention, creates AI-tailored, custom-fit shoes that redefine modern luxury. Using precise smartphone foot scanning and proprietary AI, IAMBIC analyzes over 20 unique measurements to craft shoes uniquely tailored to each individual. Each pair is handmade in Portugal by master artisans using the finest full-grain leather. By merging NASA-grade technology with centuries of Portuguese craftsmanship, IAMBIC delivers precision and bespoke excellence to those who believe footwear should be as exceptional as the person wearing them. For more information, visit www.iambic.co.
As a runner, as an athlete, just knowing that I'm doing a good service to my body is incredible.It’s the reason that I love my IAMBIC shoes. It's that precision that makes me feel safe to walkdown the street, get on the subway, do my commute, bring my kids to school, and not feelconcerned that I'm doing it in a shoe that doesn't fit right or that doesn't feel good.
The most interesting thing about them being crafted just for me is how well they fit. And I hadnever even noticed that my shoes didn't fit right. My other shoes don't hurt me - they just slosharound. With these, the heels actually stay on the whole time and it fits snugly yet stillcomfortably. And I'd never experienced that before. They just stay comfortable all day.
The thing that I was surprised by the most with the precision fit is that any pressure points thatI had been feeling with the shoes that I previously came in wearing were completely gone. I waswearing a shoe that wasn't too tight. It wasn't too loose. The sole fit just right. Total comfort.That's the best way to put it.
So I suffer from chronic foot pain and I believe that a lot of that has to do with wearing shoesthat actually don't fit. Whenever I wear my IAMBICs, I've noticed that I have felt less pain,which is really incredible. And they're just so comfortable. I'm not worried about the back of my heel popping out or my ankles not having enough support. Also, they're just so stylish andevery timeI wear them out in the street, I always get compliments, which never happens to me.
A shoe that may feel comfortable for a half hour walk is not a shoe that always feels comfortablefor a three and a half hour walk. So what I like about IAMBIC is, even though the snug fit isthere and it feels comfortable, it also feels substantial enough that I can walk a lot withoutgetting any discomfort. That's just something that's especially important to me and I think theshoe has really delivered that.
The first moment that I tried on my IAMBIC shoes, I noticed a difference. I have small feet. So whenever I try on shoes, I usually expect them to not fit. If they do fit, there's usually some sort of discomfort, whether that's in the toe box or too much space or at the heel. So knowing that this shoe was tailored to my foot was really meaningful. It's rare that you find a shoe like IAMBIC that truly is comfortable, but also hits the markers of style versatility.
I think we're all placed on this earth as unique individuals. None of us are really off the rack in terms of sizing. So for me to have that experience of having something made specifically for me that fit perfectly was something that was a little bit mind blowing. And once I got the shoes, I tried them on, they looked great, they felt great. And honestly, they fit like a glove.