Jiye Son is the founder and CEO of Anew Material, who is on a mission to create a new class of nature-inspired, bio-based coatings that eliminate microplastics and VOCs at the source. A former nail technician turned PhD chemist turned entrepreneur (Activate Fellow 2024, Biomimicry’s Ray of Hope 2025), Son combines her lived experience with advanced materials science to reimagine high-performance materials made anew from nature. Anew Material’s breakthrough product is the first and only microplastic-free, VOC-free nail polish that achieves durability by mimicking the natural chemistry and layered structure of keratin in nails, without relying on petroplastics, VOCs, or added cost.