Inc. Names Popilush CEO Eve DeMartine to Its 2025 Female Founders 500 List

Inc.'s eighth annual Female Founders list highlights the nation's top business leaders who challenge the 
status quo to tackle some of the world's biggest problems

NEW YORK , March 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Inc., the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future, today announced its eighth annual Female Founders list, honoring a bold group of 500 women whose innovations and ideas are leading their industries forward including Eve DeMartine, CEO and founder of viral shapewear fashion brand Popilush. These resilient entrepreneurs expressed grit and drive to collectively attract approximately $9 billion in 2024 revenue and $10.6 billion in funding.

Each year, Inc. editors review thousands of applications highlighting female founders who are challenging the status quo and tackling some of the world's biggest problems, and cull applicants through three rounds of judging, looking specifically at an entrepreneur's bona fides in the past year. Criteria include quantifiable metrics such as revenue, sales, revenue growth, funding, and audience size. Inc. also looks for qualitative metrics including social media momentum and stories of impact.

Honoree selection is also honed through the evaluation of the program's advisory board: Cate Luzio, founder and CEO of Luminary; Dany Garcia, founder, CEO, and chairperson of the Garcia Companies; Pinky Cole Hayes, founder and CEO of Slutty Vegan; Anu Duggal, founding partner at Female Founders Fund; Katherine Power, serial entrepreneur and partner at Greycroft; Tiffany Dufu, president of the Tory Burch Foundation and founder of the Cru; and Kay Koplovitz, co-founder and chair at Springboard Enterprises, founder of USA Network.

"I am honored to be recognized among so many trailblazing women who are redefining industries and breaking barriers," said DeMartine. "At Popilush, we've built a brand that prioritizes both innovation and empowerment, proving that fashion can be both transformative and functional. Being named to Inc.'s Female Founders 500 list is an honor, and I'm excited to continue pushing boundaries in shapewear and beyond."

The founders cross all industries and bring with them unique stories of success from each stage of the entrepreneurial journey — from startup to going public, being acquired by big buyers, or spending decades at the helm of an organization.

Popilush has experienced extraordinary growth, redefining shapewear and women's fashion with a 31x year-over-year Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) increase in 2023 and selling over 2 million units. A viral moment in late 2022 set the stage for this success, generating a boost in sales and propelling the brand's rise. In 2024, Popilush continued its momentum, earning multiple prestigious awards and garnering media recognition from top publications. The launch of the Bluetag COOLING Collection, blending sustainable design with cooling technology, further solidified Popilush's status as an industry leader. This collection earned the Silver NY Product Design Award, reflecting the brand's commitment to innovation.

DeMartine has been the driving force behind the brand's rapid ascent. In 2024, she was honored with The Gold Stevie Award for Best Female Entrepreneur in Consumer Products, recognizing her role in scaling the brand. Her leadership spearheaded the launch of the Bluetag COOLING Collection, reinforcing Popilush's reputation for sustainability and innovation. She also led the establishment of the brand's flagship headquarters in New York, cementing the brand's presence in the U.S. fashion industry. Eve's vision continues to revolutionize the shapewear space, empowering millions of women with confidence-boosting fashion.

"Female founders know what struggle is, but they're also experts of improvisation, adaptability, and creativity. The women featured on this year's list exemplify these qualities. Through times of uncertainty, their unwavering dedication and steadfast leadership are not only inspiring but vital to driving progress," said Inc. executive editor Diana Ransom.

Several honorees will be featured in Inc. magazine's Female Founders issue, on newsstands March 18, 2025. To see the complete list of honorees, please visit: https://www.inc.com/female-founders

About Inc.
Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of its community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating the future of business. Inc. is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow leading business publication Fast Company. For more information, visit www.inc.com.

About Popilush
Popilush is an innovative, multifunctional lifestyle and shapewear apparel brand that seamlessly combines fashion and functionality, offering stylish clothing with built-in shapewear for comfort and convenience. Founded by CEO Eve DeMartine, a 2025 Inc. Female Founders 500 honoree, Popilush streamlines wardrobe choices for confident, on-the-go women offering a diverse range of apparel, including dresses, bodysuits, activewear, intimates, and workwear. Featuring a diverse range of apparel, including dresses, bodysuits, activewear, intimates, and workwear, Popilush streamlines wardrobe choices for confident, on-the-go women. Committed to body positivity and self-love, the brand's slogan, "It all starts inside," reflects its mission to enhance rather than change, ensuring every woman feels beautiful from the inside out. With high-quality, affordable contemporary designs that sculpt and support, Popilush allows every woman to express her individuality with ease and grace. To learn more about Popilush and discover their products, please visit www.popilush.com, or engage with the Popilush community on Instagram & TikTok @popilush.

SOURCE Popilush