Q&A with Ria D. ’26: Incubator Program Student and chaiFresh Founder

Marlborough’s Frank & Eileen Accelerator Program for the Leaders of Tomorrow provides girls and gender expansive youth across Los Angeles with the resources, mentorship, and funding to bring their business ideas to life. The program has two distinct entry points—the Incubator and the Accelerator. In the Incubator Program, students spend the year developing a deep understanding of a real-world problem and crafting a thoughtful solution. Through prototyping, testing, and user feedback, participants evolve their ideas into viable products or services. The journey ends with a professional pitch presentation at Marlborough’s annual Pitch Showcase.

Marlborough student Ria D. ’26 participated in the Incubator Program during the 2024-2025 academic year, where she further developed her non-profit business, chaiFresh. This past summer, Ria entered the Harvard Undergraduate Venture Capital Group (VGC) High School Pitch Competition. The Harvard Undergraduate VGC is a non-profit with the mission to bridge the gap between ambitious entrepreneurs and the world of venture capital. The winner of the competition receives a $1,000 prize to fund their business venture and mentorship from Harvard Innovation Labs and the Lemann Program on Creativity and Entrepreneurship. Ria D. ’26 won the competition with her company chaiFresh and we had a chance to catch up with her to learn more about her business and this incredible accomplishment:

Tell us about your business, chaiFresh! When was it founded and what inspired you to create this business?

Ria D. ’26 (RD): In 2018, my maternal grandparents encouraged me to join them on a trip to India to explore my culture and visit the regions they grew up in. There, my grandfather would shake me awake at the crack of dawn so we would be the first in line at one of the many chai stalls that line the streets of India. In that small cup, I experienced traditional, saporous flavors that were completely disparate from the “American chai” I was accustomed to like the infamous Starbucks chai tea latte or grocery store concentrates. I immediately felt a need to replicate the life-changing drink back home. So in 2022, I filled that gap and founded chaiFresh with our main product: Cold Brewed Masala Chai.

Why did you decide to participate in Marlborough’s Incubator Program? 

RD: Though I had already established the business, the Incubator instilled business principles that ensured the longevity of my company. The weekly lessons highlighted business fundamentals that provided a strong foundation about the current competitor landscape, a concrete expansion strategy, and helped me build a cohesive pitch presentation. Additionally, the program provided resources and support to grow chaiFresh. Ms. Mino, Marlborough's Engineering + Entrepreneurship Program Head, helped expand chaiFresh to the student-run Corner Café in the CEI. chaiFresh also became a popular catering item for schools and local events across Los Angeles. Most recently, Brentwood School bought 150 bottles for their admissions office to present to prospective students and families.

You didn’t just participate in the competition, you won the Harvard Venture Capital Group High School Pitch Competition. What was the pitch process like for this competition and how did the Incubator help you prepare?

RD: For the competition, the original application consisted of a five page business plan and two-minute video that was given to the Harvard VCG members and professors from the Harvard Innovation Labs and the Lemann Program to be evaluated. The plan focused on chaiFresh’s unique attributes, expansion strategy, and market opportunity while the video gave a macro level overview of the company with a humorous skit to open. Once I was selected as a top 10 finalist, the live presentation consisted of a 10 minute pitch deck that I adapted from the Incubator final presentation and 10 minutes of questions. The presentation, critical thinking, and organization skills that were at the forefront of the Incubator ensured I was prepared to confidently present and answer any question I was asked.

What is your hope for chaiFresh in the next 5 years?

RD: On the same trip to India, it became extremely clear that the schools in rural India did not have the same access to resources as their American counterparts. So, I wanted to do something. I made chaiFresh a nonprofit, where each dollar goes to rebuilding the bathroom in the Darapura Girls’ Elementary School, which is in the village my grandfather grew up in. When I visited the local girls' school, I was in shock at the state of the bathroom: it was essentially a concrete building with three holes in the ground. The new bathroom will have six stalls, running water, a period product dispenser, and most importantly, a private, safe place for the girls, as the quality of a school bathroom shouldn’t impede one’s educational successes.

I hope that I will have funded not only one bathroom but multiple across the state of Gujarat, continuing to lead with the social impact mindset. The current expansion strategy focuses on targeting other high schools and farmers markets. Additionally, I hope to find a manufacturer to increase the efficiency of the brewing process, as it is currently done in my very own kitchen. Once the brewing process is streamlined, I want chaiFresh to become a staple in high-end grocery retailers like Erewhon or Whole Foods that currently market to my target audience. All in all, I want chaiFresh to become a global name, connecting consumers with traditional spices in every sip.