Westerville CEO Earns Forbes 30-under-30 Distinction, Continues to Grow Form5 Non-Profit

In a first-person column penned for City Scene Magazine in 2019, Aaron Westbrook referenced a quote he heard from one of his doctors as a child:

'Aaron is going to struggle - it's going to be hard for him because this is a two-handed world.'

Westbrook, who was born without a right hand, wrote in the very next line:

'I think my entire life thus far has proved that wrong.'

Fast-forward to May 2025, Westbrook was one of Forbes 30-under-30 honorees as he led his non-profit organization, Form5, to new heights in helping individuals with limb differences across the country.

Westbrook, who did not receive his first prosthesis until his teenage years, started working with 3D printing at New Albany High School to begin designing his own adaptations. His initial foray in school led to the founding of Form5 in 2017. The organization has now grown to full-time and part-time staff, designing and distributing products in an office/workshop located at 194 Heatherdown Drive in Westerville.

"I went most of my adolescent life without a device," said Westbrook. "It wasn't until my teenage years I started exploring what was out there and discovered there was such a disconnect from what the limb difference community really needs. As a person with a limb difference, I realized I know better than anyone else what I need. I just need to be empowered to make my own solutions and then start helping other people."

As it celebrates its eighth anniversary this summer, Form5 continues to hone in on individualized needs versus designing products that serve a broader base. Through its CO-FAB® Workshop, which is led by college students and industry professionals, Form5 works collaboratively with individuals on tailored solutions.

"As an organization, we are meeting what people need," said Westbrook. "With upper limb differences, there are not a lot of task-specific solutions. We had a softball player and her prosthesis was high-tech, high-cost, but she was worried about dirt and sweat damage, and it did not fit in her glove. We designed a specific adapter so she could play.

"We also worked with a young boy who lost function in both hands, who wanted to play hockey. We created an adapter that went on his wrist with a latch to help him hold onto his stick."

Along with CO-FAB®, Form5 also offers its PRE-FAB® Workshop over the summer to middle and high school students to help them gain a sense of understanding of those with limb differences through a case study and then begin groundwork on an initial prototype. Form5 is actively working to expand its curriculum to inspire more change-makers.

"We create functional products that allow people to do the things they love," Westbrook said. "We have so many examples. Our mission is transformational. Form5's innovation has no bounds on who we can help."

One particular product, which truly has been a collective venture for all involved with Form5, is the company's Bike Arm Adapter.

"It is the North Star for Form5," said Westbrook. "It is great to serve individual needs, but someone riding a bike is a request we have received hundreds of times a year."

Roughly two years ago as Form5 moved into its Westerville headquarters, the staff circulated about a dozen of the Bike Arm Adapters to recipients based here in Ohio. Now, Westbrook has set intent on national distribution and is looking to launch commercially in the next six-to-eight months.

"This is something that is going to change the face of the organization," said Westbook. "I love that 10-12 people have this adapter, but I also hate that only 10-12 people have it. We want to see more people using this product to be able to ride a bike like everyone else. We are in the process of beta-testing nationwide and look to launch the Bike Arm Adapter as a full-fledged product."

To help promote and fundraise for the continued growth and evolution of Form5, Westbrook will be participating in a 190-mile bike ride from Indianapolis to Westerville in early September with the goal to raise $100,000 for Form5's inclusive design, education and expanding impact.

Westbrook's end goal for his ride - which he has titled "Miles that Matter" - is two-fold. While raising funds for future projects certainly is a key factor, increasing awareness and exposure for the limb difference community is a major component as well.

"The ride will happen Sept. 10-13. On the 13th, I will roll into Westerville with a finish-line celebration at North High Brewing Co., which is right on the bike path," Westbrook said. "I am hoping we can get as many people out for the end of the ride as we can because the impact of Form5 has been ten fold.

"It is not just the people with limb differences who are impacted. It has really become everyone who interacts with this organization. It's the mentors, the students, our board, everyone. I am blessed with a great team. Our products will reach more people and change more lives nationwide because of the team we've put in place."

For more information about Form5 and to learn how to support the organization's initiatives, visit www.Form5.org.