Ohio supports innovative technology startups
The Ohio Third Frontier Commission recently approved $800,000 in grants to support entrepreneurs in Ohio, bringing new technology and innovative products to the workforce. Four companies, Altered Gravity, LLC, Avani Enterprizes, LLC, Sensate Biosystems, LLC, and The Science and Engineering Corps, LLC, will receive grant funding.
The Ohio Third Frontier Technology Validation and Start-up Fund provides grants to Ohio companies aiming to license institution-owned technologies to accelerate commercialization through activities such as market research and further prototyping. This helps companies raise funds and get the licensed technology to the marketplace faster.
“Investing in ideas is investing in our future,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development and chair of the Ohio Third Frontier Commission. “This program is a testament to our commitment to advancing technology and creating an environment where groundbreaking ideas can become tangible solutions.”
Altered Gravity, LLC, located in the city of Toledo (Lucas County), was awarded $200,000 to commercialize the Biomimetic Engineered Space Technology (BEST). BEST simulates partial gravity conditions (LEO, Mars, Moon) while culturing 3D tissues, tissue-analogs, and organs to study human diseases, physiology and drug efficacy. The company aims to create and sell Random Positioning Machines (RPM) that will simulate partial gravity conditions. This allows users to conduct complex space-based experiments. The University of Toledo is licensing this technology.
Avani Enterprizes, LLC, of Toledo (Lucas County), was awarded $200,000 to commercialize a novel polypropylene recycling technology that can take low-quality, waste-mixed plastics as feed and deliver high-quality, virgin-like polypropylene. Polypropylene is used in plastic packaging, manufacturing and even in textiles. However, it is rarely recycled. Avani’s solution centers around the improved handling of plastic waste and supplying recycled polypropylene to resin manufacturers and other end users. The University of Toledo is licensing this technology.
Sensate Biosystems, LLC, located in Elyria (Lorain County), was awarded $200,000 to commercialize a fitness patch that tracks the lactate levels of wearers during exercise. This biometric monitoring technology is designed to reduce recovery time and the chances for injury for athletes by alerting them when they come close to overtraining. The University of Cincinnati is licensing this technology.
The Science and Engineering Corps, LLC, located in Dayton (Montgomery County), was awarded $200,000 to commercialize a new product that combines the components of a personal cooling device, hydration capability and smart feedback to optimize performance during military operations. This product is specifically designed for field operations conducted by the United States Armed Forces and potentially other militaries of U.S. allies. The U.S. Air Force is licensing this technology. The company is veteran-owned and anticipates creating several high-tech jobs in Ohio.
Awards focus on technology and tech-enabled products in advanced manufacturing, materials, biomedical and life sciences, energy, sensors, and software and information technology. To learn more, visit the program webpage at Development.Ohio.gov/TVSF.
Ohio Third Frontier works with innovative startup companies across the state, making Ohio the destination for technology entrepreneurs. The Ohio Department of Development empowers communities to succeed by investing in Ohio’s people, places and businesses. Learn more at development.ohio.gov.