Danya Sherman (KnoNap)

Overview

Danya Sherman is an American entrepreneur and the founder of KnoNap, a company dedicated to combatting drink spiking through innovative detection solutions. Sherman gained recognition for developing the "KnoNap," a discreet napkin that can detect the presence of date rape drugs in beverages. Her work is motivated by personal experiences and aims to empower individuals through preventive measures and education. Sherman's initiatives have earned her accolades such as Forbes' 30 Under 30 in Social Entrepreneurs and the title of "Toyota Mother of Invention." As of 2024, she continues to expand KnoNap's product line and mission, focusing on inclusivity and accessibility.

Recent Developments

October 2023: KnoNap received a $100,000 grant from the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation's Commonwealth Commercialization Fund. This funding supports the commercialization of KnoNap’s latest product, Knope, empowering individuals to detect drink spiking discreetly and efficiently.
September 2023: Knope, a more portable and gender-inclusive drug test, capable of detecting 12 common drugs used in drink spiking, was introduced. This product aims to adapt to changing social dynamics and is slated for market release soon.¹
June 2024: KnoNap was awarded a grant from the Arlington Innovation Fund to help grow its tech and marketing strategy, emphasizing educational resources to prevent drink-facilitated crimes.²
April 2023: KnoNap became a finalist in Barclays' Small Business Big Wins competition, selected from 15,000 applicants for its resilience and innovation during the pandemic. This selection underscores the company's impact and promises potential prize winnings to facilitate further rollout plans.³

Personal Information

Attribute	Information
Full Name	Danya Sherman
Born	Not publicly available
Nationality	American
Occupation	Entrepreneur, Founder & CEO of KnoNap
Known For	KnoNap (anti-drugging detection technology)
Net Worth	Not publicly disclosed
Education	BA/BS, George Washington University; MBA, Georgetown University⁴

Early Life and Education

Danya Sherman’s journey into entrepreneurship is deeply personal and transformative. During her undergraduate studies at George Washington University, Sherman was motivated by a traumatic incident where her drink was spiked while she was studying abroad. This experience propelled her into the innovation space, where she started working on proactive solutions against such crimes. She harnessed her ordeal to create KnoNap, initially using a napkin technology.

Sherman's academic path saw her engaging deeply in entrepreneurial pursuits. Throughout her university years, she participated in and won several innovation and entrepreneurship contests, leveraging the resources and mentorship available through university-led initiatives. She refined her entrepreneurial skills and later pursued an MBA at Georgetown University, which provided her with comprehensive knowledge supporting her endeavors in tech and social entrepreneurship.

Career and Notable Achievements

Danya Sherman formally launched KnoNap in 2017, with an early focus on creating a napkin that could detect date rape drugs in drinks. Her work quickly gained recognition, leading to several milestones:

2018: Named "Toyota Mother of Invention," acknowledging her innovative approach to addressing social issues through technology.
2018: Participated in Target Accelerator, which helped in scaling initial prototypes.
2020: Listed in Forbes' 30 Under 30 in Social Entrepreneurs, highlighting her contributions to social innovation.
2023: Knope, a portable drug detection device, expands KnoNap’s lineup, adapting to newer consumer demands post-pandemic.

Current Work and Impact

Presently, Danya Sherman, through KnoNap, continues to advocate for social change by expanding the company's product lines, such as the Knope Test. These products reflect a commitment to creating safer social environments through gender-inclusive and portable solutions. KnoNap actively collaborates with community programs and educational campaigns to broaden its influence and effectiveness in preventing drug-facilitated crimes.

Sherman’s impact goes beyond product innovation; her leadership has fueled campaigns like "What Now," an educational initiative providing guidance and support to victims of drug-facilitated assaults.

Conclusion

Danya Sherman’s journey from a devastating personal incident to a trailblazing entrepreneur exemplifies turning adversity into innovation. Through KnoNap, she has made significant strides in enhancing safety and awareness, leaving a lasting impact on the prevention of drink-spiking incidents. Her dedication to inclusive solutions and empowerment is poised to continue influencing the social sector significantly.

References

LinkedIn Post by Danya Sherman ↩
Arlington Economic Development Article ↩
Technical.ly News Coverage ↩
Forbes Profile Information ↩