### Italic, a membership-based marketplace, was founded by two high school friends who dropped out of college to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. The platform offers manufacturers the chance to sell products directly to consumers and reach a global customer base. Since its launch in 2018, the company has raised $15 million and given consumers the chance to shop unbranded quality goods at prices 80 percent lower than comparable brands would ordinarily charge. Italic operates on a subscription model, charging for a membership that grants customers access to their entire product offering, allowing them to pass savings directly to members and profit only from annual subscription fees.