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Tampa startup turns invasive species into exotic leather fashion brand

Inversa is attacking a major underwater problem while also trying to grow a 10-employee company.

By Brian Hartz
| 5:00 a.m. January 23, 2024
| 0 Free Articles Remaining!

Inversa partnered with Piper & Skye on a handbag collection.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

The next time you see a friend or colleague sporting a nice new leather wallet or handbag, take a closer look: Thanks to a Tampa startup, it might be made from the skin of one of Florida’s most notorious invasive species.

The company, Inversa, was founded in late 2020 — a “COVID company,” according to co-founder and CEO Aarav Chavda, who, along with co-founders Roland Salatino and Kahan Chavda, is an avid scuba diver.

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Brian Hartz

Brian Hartz holds a master’s degree in journalism from Indiana University and has been a St. Petersburg resident since 2013. He has also worked for newspapers and magazines in Indiana, Canada and New Zealand.