Brad Swan - Founder

Raised in the wooded hills of Afton, MN, Brad Swan grew up surrounded by the breathtaking beauty and quiet solace of the St. Croix River valley. Whether biking, fishing, or reading in his favorite perch among the pines, his love of the outdoors afforded him the time and inspiration for contemplation and study. He entered Drake University in 2008, where he obtained Bachelor of Science degrees in Chemistry and in Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology in 2011. Deeply troubled by the sudden passing of a close friend, Brad sojourned in roles at Ecolab, Diasorin, and Prime Therapeutics back home in the Twin Cities. Still drawn to academia, he returned to work at Drake University, bolstering his skills in preparation for graduate school. Brad started at Iowa State University in 2021, where he sought his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Materials Science & Engineering (MSE). Under the exacting and enlightening tutelage of Dr. Martin Thuo, Brad discovered his interest in entrepreneurship. Under the encouraging and patient mentorship of Dr. Chris Cornelius, Brad found the subject and the challenge that would change his life forever.

While obtaining his Ph.D., Brad was honored with the POLY Outstanding Poster Award from the ACS Division of Polymer Chemistry. He was further recognized with the Go for the Gold Research Prize from the MSE Department at Iowa State University for his breakthrough research on phenylated poly(phenylene). During this time, Brad began dreaming of a company whose purpose extended beyond its products, even if those products included a revolutionary high-performance polymer. After taking 1st and 2nd place in Iowa State’s College-by-College Pitch-Off, Brad ultimately founded Cygnet DreamForge to ensure a bright future for his wife and children, and in recognition of his late grandfather, Dick Swan, who had long been associated with the “Cygnet” moniker.