The COOP Brings Storyfave to Cambridge, Showcasing the Future of AI-Powered Storytelling
New initiative brings generative AI to the COOP, enabling many to explore, create and preserve their own stories
The Harvard Cooperative Society (the COOP), a cornerstone of Harvard since 1882 and MIT since 1916, today announced a collaboration with AI-powered bookmaker Storyfave, an interactive platform that enables people to create beautifully written and illustrated books using AI. The installation marks a new chapter in the COOP’s transformation from a retailer into a dynamic and future-looking community hub.
“Bringing Storyfave to the COOP reflects our vision of blending tradition with innovation,” said Jodi Goldstein, CEO of the COOP. “For generations, the COOP has been a place where stories were discovered on bookshelves. Now, people who visit the COOP in Harvard Square can create their own. Books are sacred, and with Storyfave, AI serves not as the author but as a guide, helping people capture and shape the stories that matter most. It’s a fantastic way to honor our history while inviting Harvard and MIT students, as well as the broader community, to imagine what storytelling can look like in this new AI era.”
Harvard Roots, Global Reach
Storyfave was founded by Harvard students Brayan Romero (HES ’22, SEAS visiting student ’22) and Onchanok (Kamsai) Nawapruek (GSD ’24), who first met by chance at the Harvard Innovation Labs. Their shared vision of preserving humanity’s most meaningful stories through generative AI quickly grew from an idea into a venture supported by Harvard’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Both founders credit the Harvard community and mentorship as critical to Storyfave’s early growth.
In just one year since launching, Storyfave has produced more than 1,500 custom books. Stories range from children’s tales about magical camels to deeply personal tributes capturing the wisdom of loved ones who have passed away. Each Storyfave book becomes a personal keepsake that preserves people’s stories and memories.
A Living Lab for Harvard and MIT Entrepreneurs
At the COOP, the Storyfave installation will allow customers to test the platform firsthand, experimenting with how generative AI can transform personal memories, cultural traditions, and imaginative ideas into tangible works of art. The installation is designed not only as a creative tool, but also as a demonstration of how AI can augment human creativity in meaningful and accessible ways — encouraging even those who never thought they could write or illustrate a story to share their voice, their memories, and their imagination.
The Storyfave installation is part of the COOP’s broader vision to redefine what a modern student cooperative can be. As one in a series of new collaborations with Harvard and MIT entrepreneurs, it underscores the COOP’s commitment to serving as a “living lab” where students can showcase their ventures and test new ideas in a real-world retail environment. In the past year, the COOP has featured products from Harvard and MIT-founded startups such as Ministry of Supply, Heritage Gear and Shelly Xu Design.
“We’ve always celebrated ideas, creativity, and the people who bring them to life,” Goldstein added. “Through the COOP Collective, we’re supporting Harvard and MIT innovators like the founders of StoryFave, giving our community a space to explore, create, and share new ideas in ways that honor both tradition and imagination. This isn’t just about technology; it’s about empowering human creativity to thrive in new forms.”
About The COOP
Established in 1882, the COOP is not only the oldest and largest university bookstore in the country. It is deeply rooted in the tradition and the fabric of the Harvard and MIT communities with a long history of supporting student groups and initiatives. The Coop, as a cooperative, is owned by its members, yet open to all. All members of the Harvard & MIT communities are eligible to join and enjoy a 10% member discount. The COOP of the future will build on its storied history and will continue to evolve, enhancing the value we provide and reimagining what it means to be a member. The vision is dedicated to curating experiences that captivate and unite — a new model of modern retail and community engagement, leveraging innovative collaborations, products, and spaces, all designed to spark new ideas, forge meaningful connections, and strengthen our community.