Josh Miner '24: From Family Inspiration to Entrepreneurial Success
Josh Miner, a 2024 graduate of William & Mary, is the founder of Archetype Braces, a company that has reimagined the knee brace industry with its innovative product, Archetype Braces. He worked hard to bring his venture to life here at the Hub. Winning one rocket pitch competition last fall, and then going on to take the cash price on Demo Day. This groundbreaking knee brace mimics the natural function of the knee, offering support that has changed the lives of people like his mother, who had long struggled with mobility.
Josh’s inspiration for creating the knee brace came from a deeply personal place. His mother, facing chronic knee issues, was told she would need to accept living with limited mobility. Armed with an engineering background and driven by the desire to improve his mother’s quality of life, Josh set out to design a solution. His mother, who could barely manage three steps, found herself walking up and down the stairs with ease using the brace—an achievement that solidified Josh’s commitment to bringing this product to market.
Archetype Braces goes beyond the typical knee brace design by incorporating a mechanism that mimics the natural movement of the knee, offering users the ability to move freely and with confidence. Its purpose is to serve as both a preventive measure against injuries and a tool to aid in regaining mobility after an injury. This breakthrough product is already helping people extend their ability to engage in meaningful activities without being held back by mobility issues.
The William & Mary Entrepreneurship Hub was instrumental in Josh’s journey, providing a supportive community that nurtured his venture from concept to development. The Hub offered invaluable resources, including legal guidance and a network of mentors and fellow entrepreneurs. Josh highlights the Rocket Pitch sessions as “a tremendous asset” in building his confidence, sharing that “it was a huge relief to have so many people see my idea and provide even the most basic level of customer validation.” He also extends his gratitude to Brandon Hennessey, Director of the Hub, for providing “a sense of solid footing in my ambitious attempt to break into a massive industry.”
Through months of research, testing, and prototype development, Josh and his new business partner, Spenser Bagdoyan, refined the product into what it is today. Over the course of nine months, they created and tested 20 prototypes, worked through patent processes, and are now in the beta testing phase, with plans to expand the product’s reach.
Josh’s story is a testament to the power of determination and innovation, fueled by personal passion and supported by a community of like-minded entrepreneurs at the Hub. His success story is one that we are thrilled to share and expect to see great things from him in the future.
