By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
A Huntsville entrepreneur’s innovative approach to bedmaking has earned her national attention — and a $750,000 grand prize.
Ruth Young-Loaeza, founder of NEET Sheets, won the top award at the “Meet the Drapers” Halobama Pitch Competition in Tuscaloosa, hosted by Halogen Ventures in partnership with Innovate Alabama.
Young-Loaeza, a former housekeeper, said her invention was born from years of firsthand experience.
“I’ve made beds over 20,000 times,” she said. “I know exactly how stressful it can be. NEET Sheets can reduce bedmaking time by 47%.”
Her patented bed linen design improves efficiency and safety for the hospitality and healthcare industries, where bedmaking injuries cost more than $1.5 billion annually.
Competition judges were so impressed, they tripled the original prize money.
“She blew people away,” said Jesse Draper, founding partner of Halogen Ventures. “The sheets industry hasn’t changed in a million years. She has a chance to reinvent the entire category.”
Young-Loaeza holds 10 U.S. and international patents and plans to use part of her winnings to file three more. She also intends to invest in marketing and attend industry trade shows to expand NEET Sheets’ reach.
Originally from San Diego, Young-Loaeza came to Alabama through the Sweet Home Alabama program, which offers housing and business support to entrepreneurs.
“I realized what I needed was here in Alabama,” she said. “I’m surrounded by an incredible ecosystem of innovation, guidance, and opportunity.”
Next, she’ll head to Hollywood to pitch NEET Sheets live on television before venture capitalist Tim Draper for a chance to win $1 million.