We started 2022 with a free event. We decided to have a few free events to help the startup founders get started in the new year with good opportunities to meet quality investors.
Startup founders seem to appreciate the opportunity and they were extremely happy to connect with our investors. The panel presented t investors, including a couple of new investors. We try to get new investors for each of our events, as well as keep some of the investors appear on all events. This way we can provide opportunities to meet new investors to founders that decide to pitch at multiple events.
This event features many startups in the health industry. This was not on purpose, but we did have many applicants that were offering new procedures, applications, and overall solutions related to helping improvement, prevention, and holistic approaches to our wellbeing.
In 2022 we are planning to organize these pitching events every 2 weeks, so there will be many good opportunities for startups to meet with investors.
The Pitching Process
We still offer 5 minutes for the startups to pitch their companies to our panel of investors. In addition, we offer 5 minutes for Q & A, which seems to be the favorite part of the pitch for the founders. These Q & A sessions provide the opportunity to explain in detail and connect with our investors, which is the purpose of these online events.
After all of the startups are done with their presentations, we move to the ‘breakout rooms session’.
Each startup founder is moved to his/her room and investors go from room to room to meet with founders they are interested in. This is still a test, but it looks like founders and investors enjoy the process and derive value from it, so we will continue experimenting and offering ways to one-on-one conversations.
Startup That Pitched At The January 6th Online Event
Floelle
Jerrold Shapiro presents his startup – Floelle
Under the governance of Jerrold Shapiro, an experienced team of healthcare industry trailblazers is stepping up to the prodigious mission of releasing an innovative medical device intended to aid the 500 million globally prevalent incontinence-stricken women. The newly introduced Floelle device, somewhat a similarity to a catheter, is fixed by a skilled healthcare professional within a woman’s urethra, where it serves dutifully for around four months, closely monitoring any variance in her abdominal pressure.
This revolutionary contraption comes to action when there’s a likely chance of urine leakage. It identifies an increase in pressure levels, widely recognized as early signs of a leaking incident, and adopts a forward-thinking approach by blocking its urine tunnel, also referred to as a lumen. As a result, it renders the need for absorption pads, drugs, or surgical procedures redundant. The device’s resilient silicone rubber sheet which houses an antimicrobial compound systematically combats the potential growth of harmful microbes on the device therefore curbing any encrustation. The device has a five-month lifespan, necessitating a four-monthly replacement to ensure the antimicrobial effectiveness is preserved. In addition to protecting the user, this innovative design also introduces a recurring revenue model. It results in higher income for practitioners, slashes patient costs, culminates in an impressive saving of $25,000 per patient for insurers, and drastically cuts down a staggering 4 trillion dollars worth of nursing home expenses for government institutions. Even more, it aids environmental conservation efforts by curtailing the disposal of 2 trillion diapers into dumps each year. Remarkable, indeed.
Floelle has triumphantly engineered a working prototype of the device, accomplished rigorous in vitro and in-patient assessments, reaffirming its efficacy in preventing urinary leaks. Currently, the team is embarking on an Early Feasibility Study to refine both the device and the introducer utilized for implantation into the urethra. Once the design is approved, the subsequent stage is to carry out an international multicenter clinical trial aimed at securing regulatory sanction. After this, the clinical data will be submitted to the FDA in the U.S. and the European Commission for regulatory compliance approval.
After securing their initial $1.2 million Seed Round funding, their projected roadmap includes a gradual penetration into the American and European markets two years hence. Starting with four regions each consisting of 60 million inhabitants, the purpose is to grow into eight areas the next year, and to twelve areas by the third year post-clearance, thereby targeting an annual sales figure of $414. The ultimate plan is for an exit strategy via acquisition. This approach is expected to generate a substantial ROI for Seed Round investors, though the outcome is not guaranteed.
Linggo
Ling Ly Tan presents her startup Linggo
Linggo is a pioneering technological tool aimed at improving communication for those facing speech challenges.
Making it Functional: Individuals requiring assistance use a portable gadget, typically a tablet, to articulate their desires, necessities, and participate in engaging social activities. Interlocutors assist and guide the user to express their thoughts efficiently and enhance their social engagement via the device. Linggo is equipped with a singular, patent-pending algorithm promoting verbal communication and literacy progression through sight-reading, connecting a supplementary app, LinggoCP, for seamless data gathering and progress monitoring.
The scope of this technological solution encompasses a diverse user base, including persons with conditions like autism, developmental difficulties, victims of traumatic brain injuries, stroke survivors, and those diagnosed with dementia.
Significantly, Linggo’s professional clinical ensemble provides training and consultancy to professionals, caretakers, and parents of individuals with autism and aphasia aiming to utilize services and aid technologies to optimize and advance communication.
As a leader in communication technology, Linggo is currently accessible on the App Store, with a version compatible with Android set for release in 2022.
Underrated
Mathew Post presents his startup UNDERRATED
Recognized as a distinct platform for the distribution and streaming of films, UNDERRATED prides itself on highlighting foreign and independent-style movies that offer both quality and significance.
Embedded within UNDERRATED’s framework is a thoughtfully selected library that encourages the discovery and appreciation of diverse cinematic experiences. Gratifyingly, our early adopters have given their positive approval, demonstrating routine engagement with our range of content.
Since unveiling a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) with a remarkable achievement of 50 registered users, approximately 100 unique site visits, and a growing tribe of over 1,000 organic Instagram followers, UNDERRATED is geared towards a rapid growth trajectory. After concluding a successful beta-testing and comprehensive market analysis, we possess a solid understanding of our audience’s preferences and our potential market share. Crucially, there is noticeable consumer willingness to explore fresh content, even considering the option to transition away from existing streaming platforms.
Future plans entail considerable enhancements to the UNDERRATED platform. This incorporates the creation of dedicated iOS and Android applications to improve user accessibility, a significant expansion of our film collection, and the establishment of strategic alliances in marketing and finance to fast-track our growth objectives. In fact, several crucial marketing partnerships have already been forged. A grand-scale launch targeting a larger market segment is planned for February, effectively utilizing these marketing resources.
In addition to functioning as a subscription-based film distribution platform, UNDERRATED recognizes the immense potential in the Intellectual Property (IP) of cinema. In line with this viewpoint, we are proactively seeking IP rights to a range of films and intend to cultivate these for our platform.
We assert that the failings of the Hollywood system are evident. Film production costs are escalating, and high-quality films are not gaining proportional exposure. This inadequate representation can be associated with theatre releases and various historical factors apparent since the dawn of film-making.
Aiming to revamp and disrupt this traditional production and distribution model, UNDERRATED staunchly believes in the feasibility of producing influential movies with lesser resources. In simpler terms, lowering entry costs can increase the Return on Investment (ROI). On this journey, we plan to adopt innovative distribution strategies such as the “back-stop” deal and venture into the domains of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), Cryptocurrency, and the Metaverse.
Venja Health
Melinda Chu presents her startup Venja Health
Emerging in the health tech scene, Venja Health aims to elevate one’s well-being through real-time health data and symptom tracking, facilitating optimal communication between healthcare providers and patients.
Problem
For oncology patients, keeping up with fluctuating symptoms can be an enormous challenge. The random nature of symptoms and their potential severity induce persistent uncertainty and stress. Research supports that tracking symptoms can be critically helpful for cancer patients, leading to enhanced overall survival rates.
Solution
At the heart of Venja Health’s strategy lies the Health Efx platform, currently in development, aimed at mitigating this issue and vastly improving the quality of life for patients. The platform is a two-pronged solution: a health app custom-made for patient use, and a web-centric platform for healthcare providers. The platform excels in EHR system integration, assimilating functionalities such as EPIC and Cerner. The health app paves the way for seamless collection of user health data, encompassing prior medical history, medication information, symptoms, and general health status. With its voice-to-text feature, data input becomes effortless. This recorded information is securely relayed through a HIPAA-compliant conduit to the providers. Patient data, upon consent, becomes searchable, and with the integration of Natural Language Processing (NLP), rapid patient report evaluations are possible, thereby saving precious time for healthcare providers.
Team
The people propelling Venja Health include Dr. Melinda B. Chu, M.D. M.B.A., and Jon Chin. Dr. Chu boasts 12 years of clinical research experience and has spearheaded studies centered on tracking cancer therapy side effects. Alongside her is Pratik Sanyal, a seasoned tech veteran with 18 years of software experience, including time at renowned tech stalwarts Microsoft and Apple. They are currently on the lookout for NLP experts and a CMO to amplify their team.
Business Mode
Venja Health’s initial focus is on catering to cancer patients, however they plan for broader availability on the App Store. They intend to employ a Freemium business model, with a suggested monthly upgrade value of $4.99. They are also devising a future-proof reimbursement strategy to partner with insurance companies and employers. The idea is to offer this service at a fee of $70 per month for the initial four months, subsequently dropping the rate down to $10 per month.
Market / Competitors
Our platform occupies a premier position across three burgeoning billion-dollar industries: mobile health app market ($40.1 billion), health tracking market ($13 billion), and the real-world evidence domain ($1.2 billion). Our rivals in the symptoms tracker niche offer only manual data input, lacking a speech recognition input option. Folia Health is proud to have one of a handful of apps supporting healthcare provider interactivity; however, it operates exclusively online. Venja Health aims to keep things fresh by proffering a similar online platform, albeit with enhanced Electronic Health Records (EHR) integration. This potent combo can significantly lighten the workload for healthcare providers (fewer clicks and time needed), thus encouraging broader adoption.
Devorto
Justin Selfridge presents his startup Devorto
Devorto is building an aircraft that never has to land.
Imagine an airplane that can perpetually loiter in the sky without needing to land. Devorto is developing this solar-powered technology, designed to function in the stratosphere, harnessing solar power during the day and relying on batteries during the night, free from fuel limitations. Our novel technology outrivals existing satellite systems by delivering similar services at a lower cost and with ease on par with operating a drone. This system has the potential to bring about detailed atmospheric surveillance, collecting sophisticated climate and weather data. Moreover, it is poised to address our pressing 5G infrastructure quandaries, vital for the Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous driving, and extending high-speed wireless broadband to the most remote regions worldwide.
Numerous first-rate aerospace firms and DARPA have struggled to achieve continuous flight. Tech behemoths like Google and Facebook deserted corresponding business endeavors due to the lack of a feasible technical solution.
Devorto stands a step ahead with the unveiling of the Tethered Uni-Rotor Network (TURN), an inventive airborne vehicle combining the strengths of fixed-wing and rotorcraft designs. The resulting system consumes ten times less power, bringing persistent flight within reach.
Dr. Justin M Selfridge, founder and CEO of Devorto, previously involved with experimental aircraft development at NASA Langley, developed TURN during his doctorate. After completing his doctoral thesis and supported by $475k in R&D funding from NASA and the US Air Force, he has successfully dedicated his full attention to TURN, creating multiple prototypes and securing three patents. Al Waddill, past Head of Sales at Groen Brothers Aviation for over twenty years, joins him in leading the company.
The forthcoming smaller scale TURN systems will utilize solar energy. Our primary objective is to team up with essential industry allies to engineer a system that can vertically ascend and hover, delivering 20 times the flight persistence compared to a multirotor. This leading commercial product is expected to provide enhanced infrastructure inspections, back data-as-a-subscription business models, and satisfy the requirements of the Washington Air National Guard, one of our key clients.
Elevate
Aaron Warric presents his startup Elevate
Elevate is a breakthrough mobile app that offers an innovative blend of mental health and comprehensive wellness features. Its primary aim is to serve as a personalised journey guide for those striving to achieve success in their physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. Elevate sets itself apart with its singular peer-to-peer therapy feature, which fosters engaging interactions between users and authorised wellness professionals.
Elevate plays the role of a wellness inspiration source, encouraging users to experience life to its fullest. It provides individuals with bite-sized pieces of knowledge, advice, and motivation, equipping them to tackle life’s hurdles and unveil their full potential. To boost user engagement, Elevate intelligently utilizes predictive analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning to create a customized user experience.
Founder Bio
I am Aaron Warrick. I am the the CEO and co-founder of Elevate. As the CEO of Elevate, I take the wheel in guiding the company, ensuring our vision and objectives align with evolving industry trends. My CEO duties range from pinpointing potential avenues for expansion to mapping out new routes into untapped markets and sectors. An integral part of my role involves coaching up-and-coming leaders, aiding in the formation of a powerhouse team that speeds up company progression while fostering a vibrant company culture.
Regarding my educational background, I can boast of a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Lincoln University, supplemented by a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from George Mason University. Having spent over 8 years working as a Control System Engineer in the Natural Gas & Water/Wastewater industries, my professional credibility distinctly supports my role at Elevate. My proficiency extends across multiple domains including computer and electrical engineering, computer coding, mobile app creation, SCADA systems, system unification, and cybersecurity engineering. My vast skills equip me uniquely to steer Elevate towards continued achievement.
USEFUZE
Rawley Filbin presents his startup USEFUZE
USEFUZE is a mobile tool designed to support gig workers by centralizing all their work experiences into one digital “Living Resume”, which is accessible through an intuitive dashboard. This innovative tool is set to streamline the process for gig workers, providing flexibility, self-reliance, and job security while paving a career path.
Problem
Attaining a balanced work/life milieu can be fraught with difficulties. Regular job hunts, restricted avenues for career growth, manoeuvring around legal and compliance hurdles, and the possibility of clients failing to pay are downsides of the gig economy. With about 800 distinct job search marketplaces and 70% of gig workers active on multiple platforms, a single reliable, and verifiable source to merge all job-related efforts is crucial for a gig worker’s success.
Solution
USEFUZE ingeniously integrates technology in its user-friendly interface – a distinctive tool enabling a “Fuzer” to source job opportunities from ANY resource. It aids in forging contracts regarding services offered, navigates project management, and guarantees streamlined payments. In parallel, it constantly updates the employment history, creating a transparent and reachable network of reports via a dynamic dashboard user interface.
Target Market
While USEFUZE is designed to serve all gig workers, it strategically zeros in on veterans moving away from military service and spouses of both active and retired military personnel. With roughly 200,000 military personnel leaving the service every year, and veterans being 45% more likely to be self-employed, the potential market is considerable. Coupled with this, there is a daunting 24% unemployment rate and a 53% underemployment rate among the estimated 710,000 active-duty military spouses, according to the Department of Labor.
Competitors
The primary resistance comes from both the professional and trade services marketplaces. Allied to this is the robust influence of service solutions catering for professional workers. Nevertheless, USEFUZE ardently focuses its efforts on the frequently overlooked and evolving market of trade service solutions for gig workers.
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