Ashton Cofer

Ashton Cofer is an inventor and entrepreneur whose career spans science, technology, and startup leadership. Cofer began by competing in FIRST Robotics during middle school and earned the Google Science Fair Innovator Award for developing a solution to address Styrofoam waste in landfills. He holds several patents pending, including a glove designed to reduce hand tremors, a device for detecting drowsy driving, and a method to convert polystyrene foam waste into activated carbon for water purification. Cofer also competed in First Lego League robotics, leading his team to win the FLL World Championship, and has taught robotics workshops to local youth.

Cofer delivered a TED Talk titled "A Plan to Recycle the Unrecyclable" at TED-Ed Weekend, sharing insights from his experience in FIRST LEGO League and highlighting the environmental impact of Styrofoam waste in the United States. The talk has received more than 55 million views. Cofer has also exhibited at the White House Science Fair, further establishing his presence in the science and technology community.

Cofer co-founded Fizz, a social media platform for college students, with Teddy Solomon. Fizz is designed to provide a private, engaging space for students to share authentic content, accessible only to those with proof of enrollment at their school. Cofer serves as chief technology officer and co-founder of the company. He paused his studies at Stanford University to focus on Fizz, which has raised over $41 million in funding and is used at more than 250 colleges. The platform facilitates information exchange about campus events and culture, and has evolved into a feedback engine for student communities, supporting discussions on institutional change.

Cofer was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in recognition of his contributions to technology and entrepreneurship. As a keynote speaker, he addresses topics such as technology, STEM education, science, conservation, leadership, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. Cofer draws on his technical expertise and personal experience to engage audiences on issues ranging from overcoming failure in scientific research to reimagining social connection for young people.