Madison Maxey
from receptionist to ceo backed by peter thiel
Madison Maxey, Founder/CEO of Loomia
Madison Maxey had just lost her father, and at only 19 had decided to accept a job as a receptionist at a co-working space in New York, while also taking classes in tech. A departure from her mother’s career as a flight attendant, Madison was more interested in innovation. As founders checked into the co-working space each day, they had no idea that the young receptionist greeting them was also building her own tech company at night. While still working as a receptionist, Madison’s hardware startup Loomia would in fact go on to receive its very first check from Peter Thiel, billionaire cofounder of Paypal and Facebook’s first investor. Winning Venture Studio joined the company’s early advisory board, navigating fundraising strategy and communications - focusing on how to pitch investors, build a brand and audience.
With an early passion for how things work, computing and engineering as well as fashion, Madison was different from her peers. She quickly became interested in how 3D printing could change design, and how fabrics can be infused with electronic circuitry. One of her first projects: a collaboration with Google and fashion designer Zac Posen became a runway dress with multicolored LED lights. Madison went on to be recognised on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, and to speak regularly at Forbes and other conferences.
Her company Loomia, today focuses more on patented technology to create custom heating, lighting, sensing and cabling components for a number of clients and partners including Microsoft. The Loomia Electronic Layer is an award winning material covered by 6 patents, and used for smart surfaces and ambient lighting in EV and car companies like Hyundai.
Imagination Sparks Success
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Madison shares, “It’s been an exciting journey and I never would have dreamt at the beginning that I could take it this far. My advice to any other entrepreneurs would be to really back your vision, and surround yourself with people who can help you and want you to succeed.”