Let’s hear it for Empathy-First Innovation & Commercialization (EFIC)
because capitalism isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, but solving meaningful problems for the human condition can still be ethically lucrative.
Solve for Z (SFZ) is an empathy-first entrepreneurship studio, helmed by serial founder & product strategist Marcy Capron-Johnson. Yes, the Z we solve for is the empathy axis to add dimension to the traditionally 2D problem/solution space.
We specialize in Opportunity Design, with extensive experience in both software and hardware. Our passion is empathically (+ profitably) solving juicy problems of all kinds that benefit humans.
Projects related to quality of life, chronic illness, disability, or invisible conditions get priority in our schedule.
Who is Marcy?
Serial Founder + Innovation Executive
Absurdly excitable about how technology can create meaningful progress — and quickly.
Founder of Polymathic - exit 2017 to Tandem
Co-founder of Equilibria (HPA, Salveo, Unilever - investors), departed late 2022 to go on sabbatical re: sleep apnea research. $0 to 8figs total revenue in 14.5 months, doubled the following year. Exit expected, now serving as fractional CPO.
~30+ products 0-to-1 GTM under belt since 2010
Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) at mHUB, the Midwest’s largest physical innovation center, since mid-2023. Fractional CPO/CCO to an intimate roster (not all posted, due to NDA).
DogMom of 2, HumanMom of 1, Wife to the kindest, most supportive dude an ambitious-to-a-fault problem-solver could ever ask for.
invented by SFZ, currently testing prototypes
PAPRIKA— the future of CPAP masks.
active advisees @MHUB