Showcasing innovation

Potential breakthroughs in treating Alzheimers, COPD and cancer, a novel online giving platform and cavity-fighting candy were among the innovations presented to a packed house at the 2015 UNC Innovation Showcase. The April 9 event, in its fifth year, spotlighted the latest research and startups coming out of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for more than 400 attendees.

Sixteen diverse companies – including biotech firms, social ventures and software startups — gave five-minute pitches to an audience of entrepreneurs, investors and alumni. The pitches were followed by a networking session during which founders had the opportunity to demonstrate their products and talk one-on-one wAt the pre-event reception, Chancellor Carol L. Folt announced more than $280,000 in funding awards for faculty teams developing their technologies for commercial potential through Technology Development Grants, or in the early stages of company development through Carolina KickStart Commercialization Awards.ith attendees.

The Showcase was held as the University continues to make a concerted push to promote innovation and entrepreneurship at Carolina. At the pre-event reception, Chancellor Carol L. Folt announced more than $280,000 in funding awards for faculty teams developing their technologies for commercial potential through Technology Development Grants, or in the early stages of company development through Carolina KickStart Commercialization Awards.

“Supporting our entrepreneurial faculty is just one way that we are demonstrating our commitment to putting important ideas generated at Carolina to use,” Folt said.

UNC-Chapel Hill also recently announced the creation of the Carolina Research Venture Fund, a $5 million fund marked for investment in early-stage companies based on university-owned intellectual property.

While several of the startups at this year’s Showcase will likely qualify for funding from the Carolina Research Venture Fund, UNC-Chapel Hill has also taken steps to provide a wide range of support for entrepreneurs. The 16 teams at the Showcase have received support from programs such as Launch Chapel Hill, 1789 Venture Lab, Carolina KickStart, Launching the Venture, and the Carolina Challenge.

The companies at the Showcase were broken down into three categories.

“Innovations to Watch” displayed new technologies being developed by faculty in Carolina’s laboratories. While the research is promising, most of the faculty presenters are still in the process of figuring out how to commercialize their work. The Innovation Showcase gave them an opportunity to share their discoveries with the scientific community from the Triangle as well as potential investors and business experts who can help turn scientific discoveries into viable businesses.

Rich Superfine, Taylor-Williams Distinguished Professor from the physics and astronomy department, speaks during the Innovation Showcase.

One invention on hand was PhysioCam, a physiological sensor that allows doctors to measure vital signs through a video camera without any physical contact with a patient. Two professors from UNC-Chapel Hill’s Department of Psychiatry — Stephen Porges and Gregory Lewis — developed the technology.

“One great aspect of this process was the guidance in crafting this message that was provided by collaborators,” said Lewis, who recently joined the faculty after receiving his PhD from the University of Illinois at Chicago. “The opportunity to present this message to such a large audience was incredible,” he said.

The “Emerging Startups” category featured newly formed startups seeking advice, coaching, management and funding. Patrick Mateer is the undergraduate founder of Seal the Seasons, a company working simultaneously to reduce food waste by making excess produce from local farms available to local markets, and increase accessibility to fresh produce in local “food deserts” – those areas where healthy produce is unavailable.

“The Showcase is a great opportunity to show the community what we’ve been working on and to find strategic partners who can help us get to our next phase of development,” said Mateer.

The third category, “Early-Stage Companies”, featured more established companies with strong management teams who were seeking partners and investors.

Tom & Jenny’s, for example, makes sugar-free candy that is both delicious and good for teeth. The team is comprised of Tommy Thekkekandam, a former management consultant, and Sindhura “Jenny” Citineni, a practicing dentist. They joined Launch Chapel Hill in January and have been expanding their distribution ever since.

Thekkekandam said the Showcase gave his team an opportunity to meet potential investors and partners who can help in areas such as manufacturing, clinical testing and intellectual property.

“The Showcase created an invaluable forum to connect the entrepreneurial community here in the RTP region,” said Thekkekandam.  “We have a growing hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, but need events like the Showcase to keep the momentum building.  For a company like Tom & Jenny’s, getting a forum to tell our story and attract attention from investors and potential collaborators is critical and the event provided exactly that.”

Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Innovation & Entrepreneurship Judith Cone hosted a look at Carolina’s hottest discoveries and startups.

“Bringing the stories of UNC-Chapel Hill discoveries and startups to a broader community of entrepreneurs and investors to generate more connections and support is exactly the purpose of this event,” says Judith Cone who guides UNC’s innovation and entrepreneurship activities. “We have so many faculty and students who are working hard to ensure their amazing discoveries and ideas eventually make a difference in the lives of others,” said Cone. “The Showcase is one example of what we are doing to help them with that journey from idea to impact.”