UC alumni set ‘gold standard’ for scrap metal business

It's a family affair. Bowen and Finn Alexy stand with their parents in front of the Alexy Metals' vault. Photo/Alexy Metals.

The Alexy brothers' trajectory underscores the power of the University of Cincinnati's entrepreneurial ecosystem, where students gain the skills, networks and hands-on experience to transform ideas into thriving businesses and investments. Under the leadership of Finn and Bowen, Alexy Metals has achieved 135% revenue growth over the past five years, including 65% growth from 2024 to 2025, while remaining an eight-figure manufacturing company. The company has expanded its operations through a 52,000-square-foot headquarters in Willoughby, Ohio, the acquisition of Tampa-based AMP Rings, Inc. and the creation of 10 high-skill manufacturing jobs in Northeast Ohio.

"UC gave us incredible business knowledge and education as well as the confidence to think bigger," Finn says. "Through the experiences and entrepreneurial opportunities we found at UC, we learned how to identify opportunities, solve problems and turn ideas into action. Those lessons continue to influence how we lead Alexy Metals and build BowFin Capital."

At the heart of the company's growth is a commitment to innovation in brazing alloys, the advanced materials used to join metals in high-performance applications. Alexy Metals calls its process the "full cycle of metals," and it is the industry's first integrated model that combines brazing alloy manufacturing and precious metal refining under one roof. This method of brazing creates strong, reliable bonds capable of enduring extreme temperatures and demanding operating conditions.

The approach allows manufacturers to not only purchase high-performance brazing alloys but also to recover valuable precious metals from scrap material that would otherwise go to waste. As a result, sectors ranging from aerospace and automotive to healthcare and advanced manufacturing depend on these materials to ensure safety, precision and long-term performance.

Bowen expands on the feature in Aerospace Manufacturing and Design, which highlights how "the brothers have transformed a traditionally slow-moving industry by introducing a fully integrated, technology-driven operating model."

"The brazing alloy industry has operated the same way for decades," Bowen says. "We saw an opportunity to rethink the entire supply chain, not just selling the highest-quality materials, but helping manufacturers recover the valuable precious metals locked inside their brazing scrap."

Bowen (left) and Finn (right) were always a good team. Photo/BowFin Capital.

Since childhood, they have always been a successful team. It carried into adulthood as the brothers continue to work closely launching the industry's first ecommerce platform for brazing alloys, providing manufacturers with real-time pricing for precious metals and online ordering capabilities. Additional investments in proprietary refining technology, precision laser-cutting capabilities and advanced inventory systems have helped position the company as what leadership describes as the "Amazon of the brazing alloy manufacturing industry."

"Operational efficiency has been a major focus for us," Finn says. "We've built systems across inventory, refining and manufacturing that allow us to move faster and operate more efficiently than traditional suppliers, while giving customers a more dependable supply chain."

These innovations contributed to Alexy Metals earning Smart Business Magazine's Smart 50 Award and the specialty distinction of "Most Innovative Company."

Finn Alexy (left) and Bowen Alexy (right), celebrate their win at the Fast Track 50 Awards. Photo/BowFin Capital.

Building on their entrepreneurial experience, the Alexy brothers launched BowFin Capital in 2024 with approximately $250,000 of personal capital accumulated through years of work, entrepreneurship and investing.

Unlike many venture firms, BowFin was not started with institutional backing or outside investors. The firm remains 100% founder-funded and currently manages approximately $500,000 in assets, following roughly 400% portfolio growth since inception.

Today, BowFin Capital has invested in three companies: fintech platform dub, wellness brand Purity Coffee and activewear company Haus.

Collectively, BowFin's portfolio businesses generate more than $10 million in annual revenue and have achieved significant growth milestones since the firm's initial investments. This performance underscores the brothers' dual experience as both operators and investors, a track record that has translated into growing industry recognition tied directly to their entrepreneurial journey.

Most notably, Finn and Bowen were selected by the Cleveland Professional Twenty-Thirty Club for its top 25 under 35 class, becoming the first brothers chosen for the same leadership class in the program's 20-year history. The duo was also recognized as an "Emerging Company" winner in the FastTrack 50 Young Entrepreneur Award, becoming the first co-recipients of an honor traditionally intended to recognize a single entrepreneur.

Left to right: Finn Alexy, dub founder and CEO Steven Wang, and Bowen Alexy. Photo/BowFin Capital.

Fintech-backed company dub has surpassed 2 million app downloads, raised approximately $50 million in total funding and earned recognition among the world's top 100 companies in the industry. Milestones like these underscore the business' rapid growth and market traction. For BowFin, these results reflect the kind of high-growth momentum the firm aims to support in its portfolio companies.

"I was personally very impressed with their passion, care and ambition," says Steven Wang, who founded dub in 2021 and remains its CEO. "They are two very sharp guys. I'm excited about what they're doing with BowFin Capital, and I think they're going to be successful."

Purity Coffee has grown to more than $40 million in its annual revenue and projects $60 million in sales for 2026. Haus generated approximately $10 million in revenue in 2025 and has become the top men's activewear brand on TikTok.

"From the beginning, we believed the next great venture firms don't have to start on Sand Hill Road in Silicon Valley," Finn says. "We didn't have legacy networks, institutional backing or a predecessor's road map to follow. What we did have was a great education and experience with the conviction and willingness to execute."

BowFin focuses on revenue-generating companies at the seed, pre-series A and series A stages, with a track record of identifying and backing early-stage winners.

"We're interested in companies that show some real traction," Bowen says. "Our focus is on businesses that are generating revenue and proving product-market fit, particularly in sectors like consumer brands, health and fintech, where strong execution and scale can quickly create category leaders."

Finn Alexy (left) and Bowen Alexy (right) are mic'd up to discuss their entrepreneurial journey on the podcast: Bearcats Mean Business. Photo/BowFin Capital.

Finn and Bowen Alexy bring personal experience scaling an eight-figure manufacturing business into every investment decision they make. That operator's mindset shapes how they evaluate opportunities and support founders.

BowFin Capital does more than cut checks. It works alongside founders on the levers that move companies forward: operational strategy, supply chain execution, growth planning and marketing that drives visibility and demand.

"We try to be the kind of investors we would want ourselves," Bowen says. "Having built and scaled businesses firsthand, we understand the challenges founders face and try to offer practical support wherever we can."

That approach has resonated with portfolio clients like CEO and co-founder of Haus, Lukas Pakter, who says, "Finn and Bowen are not your typical investors. They're entrepreneurs who genuinely care about building things and inspiring others to do the same. They bring a rare combination of operator experience and investor mindset, and that perspective carries through in how they approach BowFin Capital and support the founders they back."

Finn Alexy (left) and Bowen Alexy (right) stand on the field of Nippert Stadium as Bearcats for life. Photo/BowFin Capital.

With the Lindner College of Business' vast resources, both brothers participated in the Venture Lab accelerator program through the UC 1819 Innovation Hub. The business accelerator helps startups move from early concepts to full-scale commercialization, turning ideas into market-ready companies.

The Alexy brothers' journey reflects the growing role universities can play in developing entrepreneurially minded graduates who not only launch startups but also modernize existing businesses, create jobs and invest in future founders. Recently, Finn and Bowen returned to their alma mater as guests on the Lindner College of Business' podcast, "Bearcats Mean Business," where they discussed their upbringing, education and entrepreneurial success.

Since graduating, the brothers have generated more than 11 million social media views through educational business content, appeared on nationally distributed podcasts and been featured by publications including Crain's Cleveland Business and Ohio Business Magazine.

Looking ahead, this duo plans to expand BowFin Capital's platform over the next several years while simultaneously continuing to grow Alexy Metals' manufacturing footprint.

"We're calling our shot," Finn says. "Our goal is to grow BowFin Capital into a $10 million venture platform backing the next generation of founders. We didn't start with institutional backing or a legacy network, but we've proven that if you execute and trust your instincts, you can build a venture firm from anywhere."

Bowen Alexy

Finn Alexy

BowFin Capital

@alexymetals

You can start by applying for the Venture Lab Digital Pre-Accelerator here.

The 1819 Innovation Hub is the University of Cincinnati's center for innovation, entrepreneurship, startup development, technology commercialization and industry collaboration. It serves as a bridge between the university, corporations, researchers, students, inventors, and entrepreneurs. A one-stop shop for resources such as the Venture Lab Accelerator that supports startups and accelerates their journey from concept through to commercialization. The Ground Floor Makerspace is another resource that includes 12,000 square feet of machining space to build and prototype whatever your imagination dreams up with tools such as CNC machines, water jet cutters, 3D printers and more.