KnoNap Wins Grant to Grow Drink-Spiking Prevention Tech and Marketing
June 12, 2024 | By Sarah Van Velsor
Arlington Economic Development announced the latest recipients of Catalyst Grants from the Arlington Innovation Fund (AIF). After a thorough review process, four Arlington-based startups have been awarded a total of $175,000 in grants. These companies have shown exceptional promise in innovation and potential for significant impact in their respective fields.
KnoNap is a health tech company dedicated to combating drink spiking with their innovative beverage drug test kits, drink covers and educational resources. Their comprehensive approach fosters better health and safety outcomes. We spoke to Founder and President Danya Sherman to learn more about KnoNap’s products and growth plans.
Tell us about your company and how it will innovate your respective industry?
Danya: KnoNap empowers, educates, and advocates against drug-facilitated sexual assault and crime through beverage drug test kits, drink covers and educational resources. As tangible resources to empower college and dating-aged individuals against drink tampering, KnoNap created Knope tests and Knope covers. Knope tests are discreet, portable and gender-inclusive diagnostics capable of detecting 12 drugs of abuse. Knope covers are reusable, gender-inclusive and act as a barrier of protection for drinks. KnoNap also offers interactive, educational workshops and community engagement opportunities against drink spiking to support individuals against drug facilitated crime one empowerment tool and educational resource at a time.
How will grant funding from the Arlington Innovation Fund impact your growth plans?
Danya: Receiving grant funding from the Arlington Innovation Fund is a game-changer for KnoNap and will significantly impact our growth plans. This infusion of capital validates our vision and potential, while also providing us with the necessary resources to scale our team, ramp up our marketing efforts and accelerate our sales and operations.
With this funding in hand, we are well-positioned to accelerate our growth, achieve our milestones, and realize our vision of becoming leaders in combating drink spiking. We are incredibly grateful for the support and confidence shown by Arlington County, and we are committed to making the most of this opportunity to drive sustainable and impactful growth for our company and the region. Thank you, AED, for supporting our work in saying Knope to drink spiking.
How long has your company been in Arlington and what made you choose Arlington as a place to do business?
Danya: KnoNap has grown in Arlington since 2021. Arlington’s appeal lies in its proximity to D.C., it’s business-friendly atmosphere and its thriving tech ecosystem. It’s adjacency to the nation’s capital facilitates unparalleled access to government agencies, policy makers and non-profit organizations, fostering invaluable interactions between KnoNap and key decision-makers. Moreover, Arlington provides an exceptional business environment with numerous incentives and resources to support startups. Noteworthy initiatives include those provided through VIPC, Lighthouse Labs, ICAP and AED. Furthermore, as part of the Northern Virginia region, Arlington benefits from the surrounding diverse, vibrant and dynamic tech ecosystems which foster innovation, collaboration and growth. Institutions such as George Mason University, George Washington University, Georgetown University and Marymount University, among others, also contribute to Arlington’s robust talent pipeline, ensuring that businesses like ours have access to the expertise needed to innovate and thrive.
Arlington also awarded grant funding to three other Arlington startups: Data Parrot, Pryze and SportAI.
For more information about the Arlington Innovation Fund and/or to stay apprised of potential funding opportunities in the future, please visit www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/aif.