After the 2021 public biotech market shakeup, life science investment dollars may be shifting. The past few years have seen a crowded investment market, with both veteran life science investors and new opportunistic investors getting in on the groundswell, especially in the case of IPOs.

In 2021, many of these transient investors cleared out when the bottom finally dropped out. While this investor exodus has been tough for pre-clinical and Phase I startups hoping to go public, steadfast VCs and other biotech investors have the flexibility and wherewithal to weather the froth coming of the IPO market . Comparing 1Q22 to a year earlier is revealing: only nine came in the first three months of 2022 versus 33 IPOs in 1Q21.

So, how will investors wield this new-found freedom? Some signs point to early-stage opportunities as a good destination for their dollars.

Demand for biotech IPOs still weak

One factor pushing investors away from later stage biotech is compressed exit opportunity – either through acquisition or IPO. The fervor for biotech investment carried over from 2020 drove the overvaluation of biotechs going public at all technology stages, leading to a poor post-IPO performance from 2021’s public crop. This trend has shaken confidence in the ability of biotech IPOs to yield returns and has caused all except dyed-in-the wool biotech VC investors and strategics to hang back. While there

is a continued supply of biotechs at the age and stage to go public (approximately 75 companies have SEC registrations ready), there is simply not enough demand for those IPOs currently.

While companies considering an IPO do not all necessarily boast technologies in advanced clinical trials, there is certainly a correlation between technology maturity and propensity for IPO. As a result, those in late-stage clinical work with technologies closer to market may feel the pressure of a slumped IPO market more acutely than less mature firms, primarily because of their cost structure.

With the XBI still leveling out at about half its highwater mark of a year ago, investor confidence in the biotech market will take time to recover. So, it may be a while before capital flows back into public biotech markets to enable the consistent exit environment of last year.

Though the valuations won’t be as lofty as in 3Q21 without the “crossover” or pre-IPO investors, late-stage biotechs can nonetheless seek financing from seasoned VCs, eager to put their money into more reasonably priced deals, and fund the significant

C-rounds needed to support these larger, more mature biotech firms.

Late-stage acquisitions few and far between

The other exit path for late stage biotechs, acquisition by big biopharma, is showing very little activity currently. At the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in January 2022, big pharma such as BMS, Novartis, Pfizer, and Roche indicated their preference for smaller, ‘bolt-on’ deals with small- to mid-size companies rather than large, capital-intensive M&A deals. Smaller deals allow big biopharma to leverage the target’s unique expertise, whereas value added from large, late-stage biotech acquisitions may be not as substantial because of acquirer overlap with the target’s skills.

Moreover, the hawkish tone of the FTC since 2021 has indicated that the coming years could see increased scrutiny on large deals. While the Pfizer completed the acquisition of Arena Pharmaceuticals,  the waters of large-scale acquisitions remain untested. These factors may make the ‘exit via merger’ route harder to come by for a large share of later stage companies..

Could VCs and strategic investors shift focus upstream to earlier-stage biotech?

Given biopharma’s currently small appetite for late-stage acquisitions, the focus on earlier-stage biotech is coming from both strategic investors and life science VCs. And that’s not a bad thing, as it will avoid putting more pressure on the large number of biotechs that went public in 2021 whose shares trade below their IPO price. An investor shift toward earlier-stage, private-market opportunities where those companies remain private longer will give public biotech markets time to recover. Meanwhile, companies spending time to create real, milestone-based value, will be in a position for an exit either via industry acquisition or through a solid, facts-based IPO story.

Moreover, looking backwards to early-stage companies could help investors find more potent contenders to face the now-crowded startup scene. The IPO enthusiasm of 2021 weakened the winnowing process for biotechs and led to an environment with too many companies, with similar, poorly differentiated technologies. Backtracking to earlier stage opportunities could help investors find technologies with the potential to leapfrog the current generation rather than ones providing only incremental improvements.

Rising interest rates could interfere

While a new focus on earlier stage companies seems to be a natural shift, factors like current events and high inflation, which add uncertainty to the market, may intercede. Investors expect the Fed to push interest up rates several times over the coming months to fight inflation, projecting interest rates six more times over the year. These higher interest rates work against longer term, riskier investments while pushing investors into safer markets. However, the magnitude of this effect on current markets is unclear as of yet.

Takeaways: Early stage biotechs could be the winners of 2022

Despite the difficulties of 2021, life science investors are fueled up and ready for

another round. Already in the first quarter of 2022, VC funding reached almost $8 billion, which is higher than all of the last three quarters of 2021. Many of these funds are explicitly set for new venture creation or early stage technologies, such as Atlas Venture’s recent $450 fund geared toward generating new biotechs from existing and new creators. Other players are also making their plays in the early-stage biotech market – including corporate VC such as Fujifilm, which has set up a small new fund of $60 million explicitly for early-stage companies and in modalities like cell therapy.

With the intensity of the current market downturn, factors pushing investors towards earlier stage companies are also strong. Namely, the lack of exit opportunities for later stage companies, either by IPO or acquisition, could cause capital to shuttle rapidly up pipeline. The recently churned market may yield exciting opportunities to a fresh generation of early-stage tech in 2022.

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Last month saw the publication of WIPO’s new bi-annual IP report, entitled “The Direction of Innovation”. The report is packed with insights, bringing a combination of powerful observations that really hit home backed by data-driven analysis that look deeply into how and why innovation flows.

A key perspective of the report points to the split of economic benefits which go to society (social benefit) vs. returns to private sector investment (private benefit). Spoiler warning: a clear example is the lightning-paced work occurring from the time Chinese scientists sequenced and released the mapping of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in January 2020, to Covid-19 public vaccinations – barely a year later. While many may point to big pharma’s eye-popping profits, the WIPO report shows that the quantifiable portion of the economic benefits to society are roughly 900x those of the revenue earned by the private sector!

The best laid plans… how global crises affect innovation ecosystem participants

On 7 April 2022, WIPO’s IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector (IES), hosted a short conference to present summary findings of the report, accompanied by a lively panel discussion. Marco Alemán, head of WIPO’s IES, introduced the key concept of how dependent major innovation outcomes are on the influence of each participant in the ecosystem: nations, institutional scientific and engineering research, and private sector investment. However, major events beyond the control of public policy makers shape outcomes, usually via crises, such as war, pandemic and natural disaster. Those crises have enormous impact on research and innovation outcomes. Look at how penicillin development rose in direct response to battlefield infections.

Reflecting academia, industry & government, panel’s views on setting of the direction of innovation

In introductory remarks and presentation of the panelists, Dr. Carsten Fink, head of the IES Department of Economics and Data Analysis, provided illustrations of the change in pace and focus of innovation since the industrial age. As society made its lunge forward in technology in the 20^th century, it did so in recognizable big waves, i.e., engine/transport > pharma > ICT > digitalization, today.

And some funny things happened on the way to the IP forum. A most recent example is digital-related innovation: it has grown 172% faster than all patents over preceding five years.

Lively panel discussion

Introducing themselves and their work, each panelist drove home the reality of innovation acceleration. The panelists included Victor Aguilar, Procter & Gamble’s Chief R&D and Innovation Officer, Dr. Xiaolan Fu, Professor and Founding Director of Oxford University’s Technology & Management Centre for Development, David Kappos, Partner at Cravath, Swaine & Moore, and former Director of the USPTO, and Caroline Ylitalo, Division Scientist at 3M. Here a few items that resonated with me:

Views from academia, industry and public sector

• Dr. Fu highlighted the case of under-the-radar innovation taking place in developing economies, and how digitalization is changing adoption patterns into and out of LDCs. But it’s not only permeability and diffusion that are changing, it’s also about the impact on labor and the growth in services from disembodying know-how and delivering expertise digitally.
• From the corporate side, 3M’s Caroline Ylitalo spoke of major challenges and trends we face as society. She highlighted the impact of crisis and the opportunities they may arise from it, shown in the surge in demand for N95 masks, and visible also in the utility gains from the digital world’s access to masses of technical information, along with the advent of ideation tools and collaboration platforms.
• P&G’s Victor Aguilar drove home the point of digitalization’s impact for P&G’s goal of improving life, ranging from AI’s contribution to retailing optimization, to its role in designing smart toothbrushes, and to the increasing importance of identifying relevant innovation arising outside P&G.
• Cravath’s David Kappos highlighted how dependent the realization of huge economic output and the delivery of the benefit to society are on making sure ecosystems’ participants do what they do best (per their respective missions)
  • Private sector develops suitable commercially defensible applications,
  • Inventors and their institutions need access to the tools – including collaborative networks – to help convert their innovative insights into invention disclosure and products
  • Governments alone needs to provide money and structure of well-reasoned incentives to grow and make accessible the bounty of fundamental research;the private sector’s need to provide returns to owners makes investment in basic research prohibitive.

Public and private motivations: even if not aligned, good neighbors enable a productive existence

The role of government policy and its ability to create a fertile bed of fundamental research is a topic receiving significant attention. And well it should. Thoughtful and economically supportive public policy for fundamental research can produce huge big social benefits. Once they’re convinced of the business potential prospects, the private sector gets busy converting discoveries from a trove of basic research into commercialized inventions. That’s not all, as “de-risked” innovations come into focus, industry dramatically increases its share of development expense.

Beginning in the 1950s, the space race led to the creation of NASA in the US and its enormous role in driving aerospace research and creating in the process a rich network of public-private collaboration. Sponsored research was involved of course, but government purchases of innovation-based products from the private sector – there was no other buyer – were also a critical factor in clearing a path to commercialization of those space-age inventions.

Enormous productivity flowed from that inventive output which created social benefits many times those of the gains for the private sector in a broad array of fields, such as energy storage, photovoltaics and nuclear energy.

The grand challenges facing us and the need to pay attention to the direction of innovation

As the world faces climate change, ongoing food insecurity, the need for higher levels of education and the preservation of privacy rights, to name some big ones, government can play an important role. While the public sector can’t do a great job of predicting private sector winners, it can do things to even out the playing field through incentives, such as by purchasing from innovative smaller firms willing to take the risk of developing emerging technology.

There is so much inside this report, I am moved to invoke lyrics from OMC’s 1995 hit single, How Bizarre, but with a twist: you don’t need to “buy the rights”, WIPO grants you a free readership license, so download their great Intellectual Property Report 2022: The Direction of Innovation – and enjoy its valuable insights.

BTW, keep an eye out for a future SeedSprint blogpost where we’ll get more into the weeds on a topic WIPO cares a lot about: increasing the efficiency of the critical interplay between innovation-seeking large enterprise on one side, and technology providers on the other, i.e., institutional intermediaries such as TTOs, along with risk-taking micro and SMEs (MSMEs) in the private sector.

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In this installment of ‘Emerging technology startups profiled on seedsprint,’ we explore startups developing innovative chemicals and materials across diverse applications from biotechnology to consumer goods to sustainability. Here are some up-and-coming young chemical and materials companies that you’ll find on the SeedSprint platform!

(1) BrightSpec (Focus: Analytical Chemistry; Based in Charlottesville, VA)

BrightSpec’s instruments tap into the power of molecular rotational resonance (MRR) spectroscopy. MRR complements other techniques such as Mass Spectrometry or NMR, but can also solve problems that these methods can’t. Using breakthrough technology developed by Brooks Pate at the University of Virginia, BrightSpec made this powerful technique significantly faster, cheaper, and easier to use. BrightSpec is in the process of working with leading biotech, chemical, and environmental players to bring innovative solutions to these applied markets. View SeedSprint profile.

(2) Cirrus Materials Science (Focus: Performance Coatings; Based in Auckland, New Zealand)

Cirrus Materials Science develops stronger, more environmentally-friendly materials. The company’s low energy, low impact processes require minimal transition effort for clients and offer maximum performance benefits for products. Because of their innovative processes, Cirrus Materials Science is always ahead of the curve on environmental and sustainability benchmarks. View SeedSprint profile.

(3) Sixonia Tech (Focus: Graphene Formulations; Based in Dresden, Germany)

Sixonia Tech’s E-Graphenes are few-layer, large flake graphene materials that are functionalized and formulated to meet your processing requirements and tailored for perfect interaction with the desired matrix system. Graphene is a promising material and has many applications, including in polymers or ink formulations. Sixonia Tech identifies the most suitable E-Graphene for the specific application and develops the right material form and properties for perfect integration into a number of applications. View SeedSprint profile.

(4) HyMet Thermal Interfaces (Focus: Electronics Materials; Based in Riga, Latvia)

HyMet offers a new class of thermal interface materials with high thermal anisotropy, excellent conformability, and a high level of customizability. The technology has applications in computing, telecom, e-mobility, and consumer goods. HyMet focuses on physics rather than chemistry, meaning it has tremendous design freedom to spread heat, deform plastics, wet surfaces, and much more. View SeedSprint profile.

(5) NS Nanotech (Focus: Semiconductors; Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan)

NS Nanotech develops innovative Nano-LED Technology. The company’s far-UV ShortWaveLight™ Emitters are the world’s first semiconductors to produce invisible, short-wavelength ultraviolet light that researchers say inactivates coronavirus while posing less risk of harm to skin and eyes than longer-wavelength light. Their nano-LEDs will be used in the coming generation of micro-LED displays for brighter, ultra-high-resolution, greater energy efficiency, and very small display sizes without sacrificing performance. View SeedSprint profile.

(6) Fairbrics (Focus: Synthetic Textiles; Based in Clichy, France)

The fashion industry produced almost 5% of manmade CO2 emissions in 2015 – more than aviation and shipping combined. Synthetic fiber production accounts for around 40% of total fashion industry emissions. Fairbrics is developing the first synthetic fiber with a net positive impact on climate change and is capable of meeting the demand of the market. The company is setting up a pilot plant to be able to scale the technology and will open an industrial plant in a few years capable of producing commercial volumes of polyester fiber. View SeedSprint profile.

(7) Cemvita Factory (Focus: Synthetic Biology; Based in Houston, Texas)

Cemvita Factory applies synthetic biology to reverse climate change, ultimately decarbonizing heavy industries. Cemvita’s vision is for humans to live in harmony with nature. To do so, they are determined to remove one gigaton of CO2 by 2050 – that’s 2.5% of 2020 global emissions. Cemvita partners with companies and applies synthetic biology to help companies on their energy transition journey. View SeedSprint profile.

Young chemical and materials companies like these on SeedSprint are developing cutting-edge technologies applicable across many different fields. Keep an eye out for future installments of ‘Emerging technology startups profiled on SeedSprint’ to discover more game-changing innovations with us!

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When you start a company to commercialize your technology, choosing to work with an industry partner can take your technology to the next level. Industry partners can help your company conduct clinical trials, provide investment, help with scale-up, and much more.

However, finding a good collaboration partner is tricky, and can take time. Here are some recommendations for avoiding common pitfalls and finding better partners, fast.

Identifying the ‘right fit’ companies to collaborate with, in the first place

Finding a company to collaborate with involves more than simply identifying an established player in your industry. Ideally, a ‘right fit’ company has innovation goals in your technology area and a track record of success in partnering with companies like yours.

Understanding the industry partner’s innovation goals 

It is important to check whether the prospective partner is actively involved in research relevant to your work. Sometimes, the main websites and product pages for big industry players represent past innovation goals. Instead, look specifically for the company’s Innovation or Partnership page. These pages outline a company’s R&D objectives, corporate strategy, and innovation goals.

Additionally, these pages can even describe the partnership structures they prefer to work with. Together, evaluating these factors can help you determine if a partnership with your startup will fit well with the company’s goals going forward.

Looking at past partnerships

Further, the companies you are targeting should have experience working with companies like yours on development tasks. Some examples of development tasks include prototyping, clinical trials, and distribution.

If a company does not expressly outline its future R&D goals or preferred partnership strategy, look at a company’s recent collaborations. Deals within the past 5 years can sometimes be a good indicator of the company’s interests. Previous partnership structures are also indicative of a company’s preferred role in collaboration, whether it be as a partner in research, collaborator in testing or clinical trials, investor, or acquisition partner.

Identifying the right people at a company

Once you’ve found the right company, many startups face the obstacle of finding the right people to propel your development goals. Business development infrastructure at large companies can be complex and difficult to navigate. Here are some considerations before reaching out to technology scouts to make sure that you are contacting someone that can meaningfully contribute to your relationship with a potential partner.

Understanding area of expertise

Even within a company, technology scouts and business development professionals may have different areas of scientific or technological expertise. The diversity or specificity of a scout’s technology area is often a factor of the size and scientific breadth of the company. Smaller companies’ scouts may work with most incoming technologies, even if they do not necessarily have a background in that field. A large company’s technology scouts may be more segmented by technology area.

Understanding technology maturity

Scouts or BD officers also often work with different company maturities. At larger companies, scouts may specialize in collaborations with academia, startups, or other corporations. In smaller environments, scouts may wear many hats or take on both business development and transactions responsibilities. Their titles may also be less specific to technology sourcing and collaboration.

A scout’s georgraphical region of interest 

Some tech scouts and BD&L people are responsible for identifying exciting emerging technologies in specific regions of the world, while others are location-agnostic. It is important to pay attention to whether the scout you identified covers your region or not before reaching out.

Catching the attention of scouts at relevant companies

Scouts are often inundated with requests from technology entrepreneurs, hopeful to get their technology off of the ground. It is easy for your technology to get lost in the sea of corporate communications. So, how can you make your company stand out and get the attention of tech scouts? SeedSprint can help! SeedSprint is free of charge for startups and research institutions and is available at a flat fee for industry. You can sign up here and search scouts by keyword, maturity, and region. Happy seedsprint-ing!

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Medtech is an exciting field and is one of the fastest-growing sectors on SeedSprint. From wearables to interventional devices, to digital health and beyond, medtech is at the forefront of innovation. Here are six devices that have the potential to diagnose conditions faster, treat disease more accurately, and facilitate overall better health and patient care. 

(1) Articulate Labs (Focus: Orthopedics; Based in Dallas, Texas)

2020 Texas A&M New Ventures Competition semi-finalist and 2019 TechConnect Defense Innovation Award-winning company Articulate Labs is developing the wearable KneeStim device. KneeStim provides personalized, data-driven physical therapy. Worn around the knee, the device uses machine learning to analyze patient movement. Based on these movements, the device responds with directed neuromuscular electrical stimulation. KneeStim provides data to enable more personalized physical therapy that can be performed daily or as needed while being directed remotely by professional therapists. Ultimately, this style of physical therapy is more convenient and has the potential to increase compliance and improve post-surgery outcomes. At present, the KneeStim prototype has undergone a feasibility study. We can’t wait to see what’s next for Articulate Labs! View SeedSprint profile.

(2) Ergosuture (Focus: Surgical; Based in Boston, Massachusetts)

Ergosuture aims to improve deep-tissue suturing with its first product, Drive’N Roll. This handheld device uses rollers to grip the needle at the tip of the device. As such, sutures can be placed in any direction. In addition to allowing for minimally invasive suturing, surgeons can learn to operate the Drive’N Roll more easily than other handheld devices. Ultimately, the device makes suturing less expensive than robotic-assisted suturing. Moreover, their device is easy to maneuver, less strenuous to use, and faster than suturing by hand. View SeedSprint profile.

(3) Vixiar Medical (Focus: Cardiovascular; Based in Baltimore, Maryland)

Johns Hopkins spinout, Vixiar Medical, is developing a non-invasive, point-of-care system to monitor heart disease. The system consists of a device paired with a mobile app. The Vixiar Indicor utilizes a finger photoplethysmography sensor to determine intrathoracic volume by measuring pulse response to the Valsalva maneuver. Since pulse response changes in patients before more obvious symptoms appear, the company hopes to detect changes in cardiac health earlier. This way, the treating physician can make more informed decisions for patients with cardiopulmonary disease. So far, this technology has been tested in multiple clinical studies with promising results. View SeedSprint profile.

(4) Jogo Health (Focus: Digital Health, Orthopedics; Based in Bridgewater, New Jersey)

Jogo Health bridges cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and virtual reality with physiotherapy through its wearable and connected mobile app. The technology takes advantage of neuroplasticity to rewire the brain to strengthen muscles and reduce pain. The company’s digital treatments can be used to treat neuromuscular conditions such as stroke, cerebral palsy, and chronic pain. Currently, Jogo Health is developing and commercializing several digital therapeutics that treat these conditions and more. View SeedSprint profile.

(5) OtoNexus Medical Technologies (Focus: Otology; Based in Seattle, Washington) 

OtoNexus Medical Technologies is revolutionizing the way that middle ear infections are diagnosed with its proprietary ultrasound otoscope. The scope uses Doppler ultrasound which works through the air, rather than a gel. The device collects and analyzes quantitative data on the fluid in the middle ear. This new data then allows physicians to accurately differentiate between viral and bacterial infections. Thus, the doctor can reduce the number of antibiotic prescriptions to only cases where they are necessary. In the end, these improvements to diagnosis decrease health care costs and the over-prescription of antibiotics. View SeedSprint profile.

(6) ThermopeutiX (Focus: Cardiovascular; Based in Poway, California)

ThermopeutiX specializes in catheter devices for diagnosing and treating cardiovascular diseases. The company’s TwinFlo catheter can transform the way an acute stroke is treated by inducing selective hypothermia. The device provides rapid cooling targeted regionally to the brain rather than the entire body. In the end, this rapid cooling provides neuroprotection from hypoxic damage. Further, it does so without side effects that may result from total-body hypothermia. In addition to delivering this quick and selective temperature change, ThermopeutiX’s TwinFlo Catheter can be used to simultaneously deliver therapeutics and diagnostic elements to the brain during the intervention. View SeedSprint profile.

These emerging medtech companies are uniquely poised to drastically improve patient care and health. They represent just a few of the many startups moving the field of medtech forward. Keep your eye out for future installments of Emerging Technology Companies Profiled on SeedSprint and discover more innovative startups with us!

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With its wealth of knowledge in many technology areas, Japan has long been a global leader in technology and innovation. As the country’s startup scene continues to grow, Japan’s largest corporations are beginning to embrace startups. At present, between 25 and 44 large Japanese corporations are actively collaborating with startup companies — and the numbers continue to grow. Many of these startups are poised to become key players in sectors like life science, software, robotics, and more. Read on to learn about four cities in Japan that are at the forefront of innovation!

Tokyo: embracing change

Japan is a known leader in cutting-edge tech. For instance, the country was the second nation to adopt a national AI strategy in 2017. However, some may not know that Tokyo houses an up-and-coming startup ecosystem. Tokyo’s startup ecosystem is valued at over $14 million. The number of Tokyo-based startups continues to grow and the city is quickly becoming a global leader in startup formation. 

In 2018, Tokyo was ranked number one in the Innovation Cities Index. The publisher of the index noted that Tokyo embraced globe-shaking trends like robotics and 3D manufacturing. The city is home to more than 1,200 software startups, with advancements building on well-known names like Mitsubishi, Denso, and Epson, just to name a few. 

Tokyo has started several initiatives to advance its innovation ecosystem while expanding its ventures globally. One of its primary goals is to attract global talent by offering special visas for entrepreneurs. By practicing inclusivity, Tokyo’s startups are able to market their innovative mindset to the world. 

Yokohama: old meets new

The Yokohama bay area is transforming itself into a next-generation innovation district. The bay area includes the master-planned business district Minato Mirai 21, featuring futuristic skyscrapers juxtaposed with traditional brick warehouses.

The district truly reflects the harmony of old and new. It has become home to some of the world’s most influential industries and is now a hotspot for startup companies. Due to its proximity to Tokyo, the bay area has limitless potential to emerge as the world’s next big innovation district. 

In addition to hard assets, Yokohama has a wide range of soft assets that enable local innovation. Yokohama is home to several top-tier universities. Schools like Yokohama National University and Yokohama City University are equipping the next-generation workforce with skills in areas like data science, smart mobility, and cybersecurity. Many Yokohama-based universities are also planning to open satellite campuses within Minato Mirai 21 to expand their reach.

Osaka: a first-class center of life science innovation

Osaka has long been an economic hub alongside Tokyo and Yokahama. The city has a vibrant startup ecosystem, with about 1,000 early-stage companies. Furthermore, special economic zone designations from the Japanese government, tax breaks from the Osaka Government, and strengthened assistance for the development of drug discovery have made Osaka one of the most rewarding places in Japan for life science startups.

Osaka now represents the densest science cluster in Japan. The government assistance for life science companies introduced such significant advantages that there are now no vacancies at the bio clusters flagship business center in northern Osaka, the Saito Life Science Park. 

Fukuoka: Japan’s answer to Silicon Valley

Although Fukuoka is often overshadowed by mega-conglomerates and the pull of Tokyo, Japan’s fastest-growing urban center wants to become Japan’s own Silicon Valley. While Japan has built a strong reputation for its technological advancements, its startup scene is sometimes challenged by long-standing traditions. Fukuoka’s young mayor, Soichiro Takashima, is trying to change that. In 2011, he declared that Fukuoka would become “Japan’s startup city.”

Since then, the city has significantly lowered corporate tax rates for startups and has implemented widespread regulatory reforms. These changes have made it easier to start a new business in Fukuoka.

In 2014, the city was designated as a national strategic special zone to test how to grow an innovation ecosystem. Due to these changes in policy from the public and private sectors, entrepreneurs are now flocking to Fukuoka.

Stay in the loop on the latest in technology and innovation!

At SeedSprint, we work with innovative academic institutions, startups, and corporations from around the world to fast-track innovations in more than 15 sectors. Keep up with our blog or sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know about up-and-coming technologies, the latest in technology commercialization, and the hottest innovation hubs and innovation districts!

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At Seedsprint, we’re always on the lookout for new Covid-19-fighting technologies. In the past, we’ve written about how scientists, engineers, and innovators shifted their focus to solving pressing global health issues over the past year due to the pandemic. Just last week, we posted about one of our member startups, Nanolayr (formerly Revolution Fibres). Nanolayr makes nanofibers that are used in protective face masks and other applications. The company recently invested in a new testing machine to test their nanofibers. Pretty cool!

The Covid-19 Task Force and The Commons Project

Last week, Betaworks Studios in New York City hosted the Covid-19 Technology Task Force and The Commons Project for a virtual event called “Using Technology to Prove Covid-19 Test & Vaccination Status.” We had the opportunity to hear Andrew McLaughlin, co-chair of the Covid-19 Tech Task Force, lead a conversation with Paul Meyer, JP Pollak, and Brad Perkins of The Commons Project. 

As vaccine rollouts continue around the world, the next major hurdle is validating Covid-19 testing and vaccination status. Read on to learn more about the latest tech helping us track, manage, and protect against the disease.

Tracking Covid-19 testing and vaccination status

The Commons Project was founded as a non-profit organization in 2019. The project’s mission is to build global-scale digital infrastructure between tech companies, governments, and non-profits. The project initially began by developing the Android equivalent of Apple Health. Most recently, however, the organization has been working on digital vaccine passports. 

The Commons Project’s CommonPass empowers individuals to share their health information. Its Smart Card technology utilizes the SMART on FHIR API to securely access information from healthcare providers. As electronic health records become increasingly important in our healthcare system, this type of technology is in high demand. In the near future, it may help individuals resume air travel, cross borders, and attend sporting events and entertainment venues.  

Most recently, CommonHealth partnered with health insurance providers like Cigna and airlines like JetBlue and Lufthansa. These companies recognize the value of seamlessly accessing customer’s health information.  

Covid-19 and electronic health records

Are you a startup looking to innovate within the electronic health record space? You may be interested in the open-source SMART Health Cards Framework and specifications, which were developed by the Vaccination Credential Initiative.

Around the world, innovative, tech-driven solutions are helping to curb the pandemic and guide safe reopening protocols. Check out our past post on 9 startups on SeedSprint focused on applying their technology to combating the COVID-19 pandemic to learn more about this topic. We also recommend our post on how the pandemic has changed the tech transfer landscape. Stay tuned for more innovative solutions to stopping the spread of Covid-19 and preventing future pandemics.

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Samsung is currently accepting applications for a 6-month startup acceleration program for young companies with technology that can enhance or be used with Samsung products. The program, called Samsung Startup Acceleration Program (SAP), will award five startups a $100K grant and provide development support. The program is open to companies based in the US and Canada. Read on to learn more about the program, and be aware that applications close on April 17!

Samsung’s program is a great fit with many startups on SeedSprint. After all, our core mission is to facilitate collaboration between emerging technology and industry. Samsung’s SAP program is an excellent source of both funding and development and expertise for young companies with promising technology to work with an important player in the consumer electronics space.

Our team sat down with Raul Quino, Director of Technology Strategy and Partnerships at Samsung Research America, to learn more about the program.

SeedSprint: How does Samsung SAP fit into the company innovation strategy? Is it supposed to identify completely new technologies that turn into products or to fill in specific gaps?

Raul: Today, the program’s primary goals are to accelerate the launch of specific technologies that complement Samsung technologies. We are looking for technology or solution that can be applied to Mobile, TV, wearable, and future robot products. While we want to work with companies whose technology is in their roadmap, we are also eager to look at innovative products and encourage any company to apply. 

SeedSprint: Who is involved in evaluating submissions for the program? Does Samsung Corporate Ventures get involved, or the R&D departments?

Raul: The selection process is coordinated by Samsung Research America, Samsung Ventures, and Samsung R&D.

SeedSprint: Do you like when submissions detail how they see the fit with Samsung? Do you expect it? 

 Raul: This program was specifically made to work with companies that have a strong fit with Samsung’s products. The fit with Samsung is, in fact, one of the questions we ask companies when applying for the program. 

SeedSprint: If you could snap your fingers and have whatever technology you want – what kinds of tech would come through the accelerator?

Raul: There are too many to name, but some technologies we are excited about include: display technologies for battery, on-device AI, camera technology, computer vision, advanced materials, sensors, battery technology, audio technology, AR, wearables, home robotics, gaming, GreenTech, IoT, social platforms, CSR, and health/fitness.

Interested in Samsung SAP? Applications close on April 17th and can be submitted here. You can also reach out to jump@samsung.com for more information. Best of luck to all who apply!  

The post Interested in Collaborating with Samsung? Applications for new Startup Acceleration Program due April 17! appeared first on seedsprint.

Last week, we attended the second round of the MIT $100K Entrepreneurship Competition: Accelerate. Accelerate is the second of three rounds of a pitch competition hosted by MIT each winter. As part of the event, ten startup finalists present their technologies in a 90-second pitch.

This year, the showcase was hosted via Zoom. Read on to learn about this year’s finalists!

(1) Candelytics (Technology area: Aerospace and Defense)

Candelytics is a 3D analytics and LiDAR startup that has partnered with a Department of Defense research lab to change how maritime law enforcement is conducted. Drawing from extensive experience in military and engineering, Candelytics uses 3D visualization and object recognition to search for illegal drugs, weapons, and human trafficking activities. 

(2) Floe (Technology area: Energy & Environmental)

Floe is a cleantech startup that is building a smart solution to damaging ice dams. The company’s machine learning IoT deicer system uses environmentally-friendly, non-toxic antifreeze fluid to efficiently remove ice from buildings. Additionally, the platform’s IoT system collects year-round data. This data can then be sold to companies seeking longitudinal trends to maintain their facilities more efficiently. 

(3) Gaia AI (Technology area: Energy & Environmental)

Gaia AI uses solar-powered autonomous drones to tackle climate change. The company has developed drones that plant AI-powered germination pods that promote reforestation and carbon sequestration. These drones enable LiDAR-powered computer vision to provide valuable insights that can help create intelligently designed forests. 

(4) Go-Aut (Technology area: MedTech)

Go-Aut is a digital health platform that supports children with developmental disabilities. The platform’s online assessment helps primary care providers detect developmental disorders in children before the age of 3. By combining familial and environmental risk factors with a child’s progress on cognitive functioning tests, Go-Aut empowers parents and physicians to support children as early as possible.

(5) Harvest (Technology area: Fintech)

Harvest is an online platform that is revolutionizing the loan industry. The platform groups loan-seekers into homogenous groups such as “law students” or “medical students.” Using these groupings, students can regain collective bargaining power in student loan negotiations. This eBay-style bidding model simplifies the communication process between groups and lenders to support a new way of borrowing money. 

(6) Human Dynamics (Technology area: Computer Science & Robotics)

Human Dynamics is building automated solutions to tackle sanitation demands in the food manufacturing industry. Combining LiDAR, thermal scanning, and machine learning, the company has developed engineered drone robots that reduce our reliance on human labor. This solution offers a faster and cheaper solution to food sanitfation.

(7) KANO (Technology area: Life Science)

KANO addresses the major manufacturing bottleneck in the production of cell and gene therapies by engineering mass DNA production processes. Using phages and bacteria as ssDNA biofactories, KANO facilitates the scaling of innovative nucleic-acid-based therapies.

(8) Osmoses (Technology area: Energy & Environmental)

Osmoses is developing a membrane technology for the industrial separation of water and natural gases. The company uses molecular filters to replace existing energy-intensive separation methods. This method provides a cleaner solution that simultaneously purifies natural gas and captures carbon to tackle climate change.

(9) Project Prana (Technology area: MedTech)

Project Prana is an emerging medical device startup that is committed to expanding emergency ventilation capacity. Their primary product, iSAVE, can be retrofitted onto existing ventilators to support the personalized treatment of two patients simultaneously. They also have a remote monitoring app that provides ICUs with individualized data for each patient. This solution provides a much-needed safe and reliable solution to the global ventilator shortage, which has been especially prevalent during the Covid-19 crisis.

(10) ProtectEd (Technology area: Aerospace and Defense)

ProtectEd builds bookcases that provide critical protection against violent attacks in a matter of seconds. Their patented bookcase design easily locks into place in front of the doors to classrooms, government buildings, or religious institutions and can provide a physical and ballistic barrier in the event of a violent attack. The bookcase is a simple and easy-to-use solution to provide security without a fear-invoking militarized appearance. 

The competition at this year’s Accelerate was fierce! In the end, Go-Aut won the $10K Audience Choice Award. Meanwhile, Candalytics, Human Dynamics, and Go-Aut made it to the final stage of the MIT $100K Competition, Launch.

Launch will take place later this spring. Then, the first-place team will win the coveted $100K prize. Stay tuned!

Interested in learning about more emerging technologies in a specific technology area? Check out some of our past blog posts on topics like Chemical and Materials, Biopharma, MedTech, Green Chemistry, and Cross-Sector Technologies aiding in the fight against Covid-19!

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In this installment of ‘Emerging technology startups profiled on SeedSprint’, we recognize 9 startups that are leveraging their technologies to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. These startups have transformed their existing innovations or ramped up the development of new tech to help address the multifaceted challenges presented by the virus.

Here are some of the startups that you’ll find on SeedSprint that are at the forefront of the fight against Covid-19:

(1) NS Nanotech (Technology area: Optics and Electronics, Based in Michigan, USA)

NS Nanotech’s ShortWaveLight™ Emitters produce invisible UV light via their patented nitride semiconductor technology. This far-UVC light inactivates human coronaviruses and flu viruses. The technology offers the ability to disinfect without contact and the hazard of current germicidal UV lights. The Emitters are integrated into their personal, portable ShortWaveLight™ Purifiers. These devices can disinfect both surfaces and air to help reduce the spread of Covid-19. View SeedSprint profile.

(2) AccuBreath (Technology area: Medical Devices, Based in Utah, USA)

AccuBreath has developed a portable and easy-to-use ventilator that has the potential to treat Covid-19 patients requiring ventilation in emergencies, or patients at home needing temporary assistance. The company’s ventilator can be powered by either battery or a wall power source. Further, it can be operated by users who are not medical professionals. AccuBreath is currently finishing its prototype and plans to apply for FDA Emergency Use Authorization to help meet the demand for ventilators during future waves of the pandemic. View SeedSprint profile.

(3) NuvOx Pharma (Technology Area: Pharmaceuticals, Based in Arizona, USA)

We previously featured NuvOx Pharma on our blog for their novel NanoO2™ technology. NanoO2™ increases the delivery of oxygen from the lungs to the tissue via dodecafluoropentane microbubbles. In response to the current health crisis, NuvOx has begun exploring their NanoO2™ technology as a treatment for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), which is a serious complication of Covid-19. The company is currently in phase IIa clinical trials for the treatment of ARDS in Covid-19 patients. View SeedSprint profile.

(4) Breathe99 (Technology Area: Medical Devices, Based In: Minnesota, USA)

Breathe99 has developed industrial-grade B2 filters and facemasks to help protect against environmental aerial contaminants and aerosols. These B2 filters are composed of four layers, including two filtering polypropylene layers. The spun-bond polypropylene layer’s electrostatic charge traps particles as small as 0.1 micrometers. Meanwhile, the melt-blown polypropylene layer’s fine mesh physically obstructs particles. The masks’ filters can be replaced and their accompanying outer covering is washable and reusable, which reduces waste compared to other industrial face masks. Breathe99’s masks are commercially available for non-medical use. In the longer term, the company plans to seek certification for medical use from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. View SeedSprint profile.

(5) MindCheck (Technology Area: Digital Health, Based in Australia)

MindCheck has developed a series of web-based mental health assessments. Users can take these assessments to check and track their levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. MindCheck’s assessments are completely confidential. Users can take advantage of the tool to increase awareness of their emotional state, assess environmental and lifestyle factors that may contribute to distress, and select from individualized recommendations and actions to address their needs. The current health crisis has been socially and emotionally taxing for all, so MindCheck’s online software is a great way to stay on top of your mental and emotional health. MindCheck’s assessments are available to both individuals and organizations. View SeedSprint profile.

(6) Aequor (Technology Area: Chemical, Based in California, USA)

We previously featured Aequor in another edition of ’emerging technology startups profiled on SeedSprint’ for their innovative non-toxic biocides and dispersants. We think their technology is pretty neat. In response to Covid-19, Aequor’s microbial testing has been busy advising businesses on effective cleaning protocols so they can operate safely. At the same time, Aequor has been hard at work continuously improving its antimicrobial cleaners and water treatments. Their hope is to tackle resistant ‘superbugs’ using nontoxic formulations to protect our health as well as the environment. View SeedSprint profile.

(7) Enable Biosciences (Technology Area: Diagnostics, Based in California, USA)

Enable Biosciences has leveraged their antibody detection platform to create highly sensitive and specific immunoassays for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Their assays can be used in both serum and dried blood spot samples. Their ADAP (Antibody Detection by Agglutination PCR) diagnostic platform works by binding to antibodies via a DNA-antigen conjugate. The aggregates that form from these antigen-DNA conjugates and human antibodies can then be detected and quantified via PCR. The company’s SARS-CoV-2 serum assay has been approved by the FDA for emergency use. Meanwhile, they have submitted their dried blood spot assay to the FDA for review; it is currently available for research use. View SeedSprint profile.

(8) Liberate Medical (Technology Area: Medical Devices, Based in Kentucky, USA)

Advanced Covid-19 cases often require patients to receive mechanical ventilation. Among other complications, ventilation can lead to respiratory muscle atrophy if use is prolonged. Disuse muscle atrophy can make weaning off of mechanical ventilation difficult, lengthen ICU stays, and increase mortality. Luckily, Liberate Medical’s novel VentFree Respiratory Muscle Stimulator prevents respiratory muscle atrophy via electrical stimulation to contract respiratory muscles in sync with mechanical respiration. This method can be used from the onset of mechanical ventilation, which may reduce the length of time that patients must be ventilated. Liberate Medical’s ventilator has received emergency use authorization in the US and has received CE marking in the EEA. View SeedSprint profile.

(9) Grip Molecular (Technology Area: Diagnostics, Based in Minnesota, USA)

Grip Molecular is developing a chip-based Covid-19 diagnostic test that uses 3D printed graphene nanoelectronics to detect both nucleic acid and antibodies in patient samples. The assay uses solid-state electronics rather than chemical reagents, making it fast, cost-effective, and portable. By detecting both nucleic acid and antibodies, the test can determine the state of Covid infections, and can even be read on a smartphone. GRIP Molecular is working to rapidly develop its technology, which has the potential to lead to faster and more complete Covid-19 diagnoses. View SeedSprint profile.

Innovations like these will help limit the spread of Covid-19 and lead to better health outcomes for patients. We commend these startups for channeling their expertise to help tackle the diverse challenges that we face as a result of the current health crisis.

Keep your eyes peeled for future installments of ‘Emerging technologies profiled on SeedSprint’ to learn about more impactful technologies and startups!

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