Austin Patry and Sophia Karbowski, founders of Fort Worth-based Realsy, have been named to the 2025 Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the Food and Drink category, recognizing their entrepreneurial success and innovative contributions to healthy snacking.

Patry says the honor is the culmination of a long-held dream. “This has been a goal of mine since high school, and to see it come to fruition is truly surreal,” he said in a LinkedIn post.

For Karbowski, the recognition reflects nearly eight years of perseverance and passion. “Almost eight years of hard work and holding myself accountable to keep going,” she added in a post. “What started with recipe-testing in my college kitchen led to managing a team of 150 employees and launching multiple ventures, all with the mission of making real food more accessible.”

Helping people kick a sugar craving

The duo’s journey began at Texas Christian University (TCU) in 2017, where Patry and Karbowski launched their first health-focused venture, Rollin’ n Bowlin’, during their senior year. But that was just a start.

The lessons learned from that experience paved the way for Realsy Foods, which launched in 2022 with the goal of helping consumers “kick a sugar craving” through snacks that are both healthy and indulgent.

The brand’s flagship product—a shelf-stable Medjool date filled with shelf-stable nut butter—has gained attention for its clean ingredients, minimal processing, and convenience.

Just four “planet-friendly” ingredients

Made with just four ingredients or fewer, Realsy snacks emphasize planet-friendly ingredients, which have resonated with health-conscious consumers.

In recent weeks, Realsy has celebrated significant milestones. The company expanded its presence to shelves at Wegmans Food Markets in the Northeast and introduced shipper displays at over 50 Safeway locations in California, showcasing its commitment to nationwide growth.

Projecting $1.5 million in revenue

“We’re just getting started and excited to continue with the profitable momentum,” Patry said. According to Forbes, the company is projecting $1.5 million in revenue this year.

TCU, proud of its entrepreneurial alumni, praised the pair for their determination and innovation. “From starting health food cafes on college campuses to adapting during the pandemic and launching Realsy Foods, Sophia and Austin have demonstrated exceptional innovation and determination,” the university wrote on LinkedIn.

Karbowski credits “incredible support” along the way, “dating back to our business professors at TCU paying (or testing? lol) us to run home during class and bring back açaí bowls for everyone.”

Now, she says, “we’re prepping for a big 2025 — keepin’ it realsy.”

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