Sand Cloud

Sand Cloud was founded in San Diego in 2014 by Bruno Aschidamini, Steven Ford and Brandon Leibel. The original concept for the brand was to create a pillow towel hybrid that would allow for better naps on the beach. While the original prototype was popular, customers sought out the company's colorful towels, without the attached pillow. In 2014, the three friends quit their corporate jobs to work on Sand Cloud towels full-time, building out the brand, product and mission of marine conservation. They raised $15,000 on Kickstarter and then made their appearance on Shark Tank in 2017, securing a deal with Robert Herjavec for a $200,000 investment in exchange for 15% of the business. To date, the company has done more than $20 million in sales.

10% of Sand Cloud's net profits goes toward local non-profit partners including the Marine Conservation Institute, the San Diego Surfrider Foundation, the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, San Diego Coastkeeper, the Hawaii Wildlife Fund, and Ocean Connectors. In 2018, Sand Cloud was honored as Philanthropist of the Year by the Pacific Marine Mammal Center. Sand Cloud's network of 250,000 ambassadors uses social media to spread awareness on issues surrounding marine life and regularly participates in local beach clean-up efforts. The company's mission is hashtagged as #SaveTheFishies to spread awareness socially about issues like ocean plastic pollution and coral reef degradation.

Sand Cloud's signature towels are made from handwoven Turkish cotton. According to Sand Cloud, the material allows the towels to be comfortable lightweight, durable, absorbent and sand resistant. Sand Cloud also sells other eco-friendly products, such as apparel made from recycled materials, reef-safe sunscreen, reusable water bottles, and metal straws. Sand Cloud products are available on its website, its Amazon store, select retailers, and online and in-store at Bed Bath & Beyond.

• Official website