Hardware as a Service Startup Disrupts the Period Care Industry With Free Bathroom Products

What started as an awkward restroom experience for a teenager has grown into one of the most innovative hardware as a service startups in America. At just 18 years old, Claire Coder dropped out of college to tackle a problem millions of women face every day — lack of access to period products in public spaces.

Today, her company, Aunt Flow, has distributed more than 34 million period products across schools, offices, stadiums, and public venues throughout the United States.

From corporate giants like Google to major NBA arenas, Aunt Flow is transforming the way organizations think about restroom essentials.

The idea was born from a simple but frustrating moment. While attending a professional event, Coder unexpectedly got her period and discovered the restroom only offered products through an old coin-operated dispenser.

“In 2026, who even carries a quarter?” became the question that sparked a business revolution.

Coder quickly realized that pads and tampons should be as accessible as toilet paper. Instead of treating menstrual products as optional items, she saw them as a necessary public amenity.

From Small Startup to B2B Industry Leader

In the beginning, Coder handled everything herself, packing orders, delivering products, and building customer relationships one step at a time. But she always believed the company could become much bigger.

Research showed that 86% of women have unexpectedly started their period in public without supplies, revealing a massive and underserved market opportunity.

Rather than focusing only on consumer subscriptions, Aunt Flow made a bold move that changed everything: it became a hardware company.

The company developed proprietary ADA-compliant free-vend dispensers, allowing businesses and institutions to install permanent restroom solutions that provide free menstrual products.

This strategy created a powerful competitive advantage.

Once a school, office, or stadium installs Aunt Flow dispensers, the company becomes part of the building’s infrastructure. That creates recurring demand for product refills, maintenance, and ongoing partnerships.

Instead of making one-time sales, Aunt Flow positioned itself as a long-term facilities partner.

Breaking Into Stadiums and Enterprise Clients

Winning contracts with corporations and sports venues was not easy. Enterprise sales required patience, persistence, and constant visibility.

Coder spent years attending trade shows, facilities conferences, and industry events to stay connected with decision-makers. That effort eventually paid off.

Today, Aunt Flow products are available in more than 30 stadiums across major sports leagues including the National Basketball Association, National Football League, and Major League Baseball.

The company also benefited from strong organic marketing. Visitors who discovered the sleek dispensers inside stadiums and offices often shared photos on social media, helping create demand from the ground up.

That “seen in the wild” exposure helped Aunt Flow gain credibility and accelerate new partnerships.

Riding the Wave of Menstrual Equity Laws

The rise of menstrual equity legislation has also fueled the company’s growth.

Currently, 27 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. require schools to provide free period products to students. Instead of waiting for regulations to change, Coder actively supported policy discussions and advocated for menstrual equity initiatives on Capitol Hill.

By helping organizations understand compliance requirements and accessibility standards, Aunt Flow positioned itself as a trusted industry leader.

Keeping the Mission Alive While Scaling Fast

As the company expanded, Coder focused heavily on preserving its social mission.

Through its Impact Program, Aunt Flow has donated more than 7 million products to communities in need. The company also organizes “Period Parties,” where employees assemble donation kits for nonprofits and local organizations.

These initiatives help employees stay connected to the company’s original purpose while supporting rapid business growth.

Coder has also been open about the challenges of entrepreneurship and burnout. She credits delegation and building a strong team as key reasons the company continues to thrive.

According to her, sustainable leadership means creating a business that can operate successfully even when the founder steps away to recharge.

The 10-Million-Restroom Opportunity

Despite its rapid expansion, Aunt Flow believes it is only scratching the surface.

There are an estimated 10 million women’s restrooms in the United States, while the company currently operates in around 70,000 locations.

That leaves enormous room for growth.

Coder’s long-term vision is simple but ambitious: make period products as common and accessible as paper towels and toilet paper in every public restroom.

If that vision becomes reality, Aunt Flow may not just change bathrooms — it could permanently reshape public infrastructure standards across the country.