Investment-Ready Deals
Click on a company to learn more about their products or services.
Advanced Materials
Malama Composites - Soy Foam
Scoperta - Metals & Amorphous Alloys
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Anabios - Contract Research
Aubrey, Inc. - Bioengineered Tissue
Avacen - Medical Devices
CortiCare - Brain Monitoring
Diomics - Nanobioscience
Freedom Meditech - Medical Devices
Genalyte - Diagnostics
GlySens - Glucose Monitoring
Kaer Biotherapeutics - Aerosol Delivery
Medipacs - Infusion Pumps
MicroParticle Proteomics - Diagnostics
Ridge Diagnostics - Diagnostics
Targeson - Diagnostics
Tocagen - Biopharmaceuticals
Cleantech
Assure Controls - Water Testing
ecoATM - Recycling and Waste
EcoDog - Energy Efficiency
Hadronex - Sewage Control
Innolytics - Wildlife Control
Retail Inkjet Solutions - Recycling and Waste
Consumer Products
Everyone Counts - Election Operations
Innovega - Eyewear
MicroPower Technologies - Wireless Video Camera Technology
Mobile Captions - Mobile Phone Service for Hearing Impaired
Real Phone Card Corp. - Mobile Telephones
SprayMo - Multi-Use Pressure Sprayer
TetraVue - Digital Imaging
Innovative Food and Beverage
Aonori Aquafarms - Shrimp Farming
Biosilo Foods - Snack Foods
Home Town Farms - Energy Efficient Farming
TailGate Beer - Craft Beer
Software / Telecommunications / IT
Clarinova - Marketing Software
Deal Current - Daily Deal Software
Extrabux - Consumer Price Comparison and Coupons
Joe Media - Digital Media and Advertising
Office Games - Business Applications and Gaming Solutions
Sports Innovation and Health
Ask Us International - Software Technology for Comparing Health Insurance
Benchmark Revenue Management - Healthcare Administration
ElliptiGo - Elliptical Bicycles
GOTRIbal - Social Media for Women Athletes
Independa - Technology-enabled Independent Living
Optimal Health - Public Charity
ZuumCraft - Personal Electric Vehicles
Company Descriptions
Advanced Materials
Malama Composites - Soy Foam
Malama Composites (Springboard Graduate, VRT Winner, MIP Finalist – has raised over 350K, signed a distribution deal with Composites One and began manufacturing operations). Malama Composites is a Delaware C Corporation, formed in July of 2009, to develop and manufacture proprietary rigid polyurethane (PU) foams made from natural, bio-based polyols. The resulting high performance core materials are currently sold under the trade name AinaCor™. They enable manufacturers to produce a wide range of products that are stronger, lighter, cost competitive, far less toxic and more easily recycled than alternative, petroleum-based foams. In Hawaiian, Malama means "to care for and protect." The root of our product name, Aina, means "of the earth." These words serve as the foundation for our mission, vision and corporate values.
www.malamacomposites.com
Scoperta - Metals & Amorphous Alloys
Scoperta, Inc. is an advanced materials discovery and development company focused on supplying
disruptive alloys with advanced engineered microstructures placed into service as coatings, welds, or finished product. These microstructures range from amorphous Bulk Metallic Glass (BMG) to BMG-nano-crystalline composite structures, to nano-crystalline. Sold under the trademarked name VecalloyTM, the Company's products possess physical properties that offer a cost effective superior performance: strength, hardness, elasticity, wear and corrosion resistance that drive value to its end users as a result of increased uptime and reduced maintenance cycles. Core to the Company's Intellectual Property portfolio is a proprietary software optimization technology platform that is used to model the inter-atomic forces with the thermodynamic and kinetic factors that drive alloy structures,
resulting in ultimate performance. Key to the efficacy of this platform is the reduce set and rapid screening of multi-component potential alloy candidates. This enables the Company to produce the most promising materials in a matter of weeks versus years using traditional method.
http://scopertainc.com/
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Anabios - Contract Research
AnaBios Corporation, Inc., an innovative contract research organization that deploys assays and develops databases for the assessment of efficacy and safety of drugs, has closed on the first $790 thousand dollar raise of a total Series A investment of up to $2 million dollars from investors led by the Tech Coast Angels. Tech Coast Angels’ Angel Capital Entrepreneur (ACE) Fund is also participating. A portion of the proceeds from the investment will be utilized to fund AnaBios’ new laboratory facility in San Diego. The studies conducted by AnaBios will improve a pharmaceutical company’s productivity and allow them to efficiently advance their drug development programs at a fraction of the cost and time compared to current program metrics.
http://www.anabios.com/
Aubrey, Inc. - Bioengineered Tissue
Aubrey Inc. was created in December 2007 to design, manufacture and sell novel bioengineered temporary skin substitutes. It is the 2nd venture into the burn care field by Aubrey Woodroof, PhD, MBA, who invented the first biosynthetic wound dressing cleared by the FDA in 1979. Aubrey Inc. now has its own Advanced Wound Bioengineered Alternative Tissue (BAT™) products cleared by the FDA in February 2009. Aubrey Inc.’s initial focus is to provide burn surgeons with solutions to heal superficial burns, donor sites and meshed autograft wounds better and faster with less potential for infection and less pain. BAT™ optimizes moisture permeability control, maintaining a moist healing environment while eliminating fluid accumulation, thereby achieving early adherence, reducing infection potential, reducing pain, healing wounds faster and controlling the cost of care.
http://www.aubreyinc.com/
Avacen - Medical Devices
AVACEN, Inc. is a medical device company that addresses the $3B migraine market currently dominated by pharmaceutical injections. The AVACEN GRIP™ eliminates migraine symptoms non‐invasively in a safe, 10‐minute treatment. AVACEN has exclusive rights to this Stanford‐invented technology for 24 medical indications addressed by warming and several non‐medical cooling markets.
http://www.avacen.com
CortiCare - Brain Monitoring
CortiCare provides remote, continuous EEG (cEEG) brain monitoring to detect seizures and enhance the neurologic assessment of ICU patients nationwide. There is strong and growing evidence supporting continuous brain monitoring as a common component of comprehensive ICU care along with blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, and respiratory monitoring. CortiCare’s turn-key solution includes OEM supplied FDA approved EEG system, local patient set-up, along with 24/7 remote brain monitoring from a centralized hub by certified technologists with physician oversight. Communication from the system to the hub can be via internet or wirelessly. CortiCare’s cEEG service is fully reimbursable to the hospital through established CPT codes. http://www.corticare.com/
Diomics - Nanobioscience
Diomics is a nanobioscience company focused on the development of Diomat® technology
for a range of life science, aerospace and specialty products. Diomat® is a novel class of nano-composite material. Today, Diomics is focused on life sciences, specifically forensics, biospecimen collection and integrated DNA analysis and profiling solutions. Diomics’ flagship product is X-Swab™. The X-Swab™ is a unique bio-specimen collection device based on Diomicsʼ Diomat® technology. This versatile and easy-to-use product replaces the highly inefficient cotton swab, enabling immediate DNA forensics at the crime scene and genetic testing in the doctorʼs office or at a patientʼs bedside. Unlike cotton swabs that contaminate and damage the cells of the target collection material, the unique properties of the X-Swab™ not only collect more material, it safely manages and stores the specimen. The X-Swab™ allows for rapid DNA analysis as the XSwabʼs™ collection head, made of Diomat® technology, will almost entirely dissolve away, leaving the target material behind for analysis and DNA profiling.
http://www.diomics.com
Freedom Meditech - Medical Devices
Freedom Meditech is a private, growth‐stage medical device company focused on the development and commercialization of first‐to‐market, noninvasive, ophthalmic medical devices for disease detection and management of diabetes. Company’s technology is based on the scientific rationale that glucose (a small molecule), which is the hallmark of diabetes when present or elevated in the blood, presents rapidly within the fluid and blood of the eye. Freedom Meditech’s mission is to transform the current standards for disease detection and diabetes management through the development and commercialization of innovative ophthalmic based technologies. The ClearPath DS‐120 system, is a proprietary non‐invasive ophthalmic diagnostic device designed to quickly detect elevated advanced glycosolated end products ("AGEs"), a well‐established biomarker of diabetes and pre‐diabetes. This non‐invasive bio‐photonic approach represents a potential superior alternative to conventional cumbersome diabetes diagnostic and screening.
http://www.freedom-meditech.com/
Genalyte - Diagnostics
Genalyte, Inc. has developed a breakthrough label-free, real-time diagnostic platform with disposable sensor chip capable of high levels of multiplexing. This diagnostic engine merges core technology disciplines encompassing silicon photonics, optics, biochemistry and micro-fluidics. The target market is primarily clinical diagnostics with research & drug discovery representing early revenue opportunities. The Genalyte system has been designed to embody the razor-blade/razor business model. The Genalyte platform enables parallel measurement in real time of key proteomic/genomic biomarkers in the target sample.
http://www.genalyte.com/
GlySens - Glucose Monitoring
GlySens, Inc. is a privately held California corporation developing a new continuous glucose monitoring (GCM) system intended to fundamentally advance the standard of care in the treatment of diabetes. The fully implanted GlySens sensor offers a long-term solution for continuous glucose monitoring, and includes previously unavailable effort free features. Current CGM products have numerous drawbacks, and require regular sensor replacement every few days and burdensome daily maintenance of skin-adhered components. In contrast, the GlySens system automatically measures glucose for more than one year using a fully implanted sensor. Wireless transmission to an external receiver provides for convenient display, recording, and alerts regarding impending hypo- and hyper-glycemic excursions.
http://www.glysens.com/
Kaer Biotherapeutics - Aerosol Delivery
Aerosol delivery via the respiratory tract is the preferred mode of administration for many of biologics, including: proteins, surfactants, oligonucleotides, antibodies, and liposomes. Whereas there is a good choice of nebulizers to deliver micrograms of small molecules, the delivery of tens of milligrams of biotherapeutics presents formidable barriers and practical issues for present liquid or dry powder aerosol delivery systems. Kaer Biotherpeutics’ SUPRAER™ is a new class of aerosol delivery system which generates a large aqueous aerosol of the active agent which is rapidly dried, concentrated and delivered on demand as a solid respirable aerosol of “pure” agent. SUPRAER’s usage leads to lowered cost of treatment, improved patient compliance, and improved efficacy.
http://www.kaerbio.com/
Medipacs - Infusion Pumps
Medipacs is bringing to market a revolutionary new programmable micro-infusion pump as accurate as electronic pumps in a low cost and convenient disposable, creating a new infusion pump category. The pump is small and wearable, for inpatient and outpatient applications. It utilizes a new, electronically controlled polymer-based pumping technology. It is a simple, low-cost device with features found in pumps costing 50x more. Company’s patents and trade secrets protect formulations and product configurations in key markets. Pending patents will expand protection. Medipacs’ product platform serves applications in multiple medical specialties. Mini-infuser™ Pump is attracting attention in pain management, biologics, insulin and applications where small volumes are accurately infused over time. Relevant market segments total > $6B and will be addressed through direct sales and OEM. Company’s management team has experience in several infusion device businesses. Mark McWilliams, CEO: Q3DM (Beckman Coulter), Medication Delivery Devices (Baxter), Baxter, Block Medical (Hillenbrand). Mark Banister, Founder/CTO: Founded three manufacturing companies, Manager Operations Damco. Mark Van Veen, Engineering: Developed first IMED infusion pumps. Anthony DeLizza, Marketing: J&J, selling OneTouch® to consumers and hospitals, roles at medical device start-ups. Glen Freiberg, Regulatory Affairs: Consultant at Alphatec Spine, Gen-Probe, Bard Diagnostics, Coulter Corp and others. Medipacs seeks institutional equity investment up to $15MM to fund 510(k), manufacturing readiness, working capital, sales force and operations through commercial launch.
http://www.medipacs.com/
MicroParticle Proteomics - Diagnostics
MicroParticle Proteomics, LLC (MPP), founded in 2007, is a limited liability biotechnology company based in La Jolla, California. MPP has developed a novel process for identifying, analyzing, and quantifying biomarkers derived from microparticles found in the plasma component of blood. MPP is to become a leader in the analysis of the protein content of plasma microparticles (biomarkers) that lead to the development of predisposition tests, screening methods, and monitoring tools for a variety of diseases and conditions of the vascular system, including angiogenesis related to cancer. Diseases and abnormal conditions are likely to shed microparticles into the bloodstream. Microparticles are sub-cellular membranous vesicles that are released by essentially all cell types, especially when cells are under stress. The patented process developed by MPP provides insight into the protein make-up of microparticles, and thus allows for the identification, measurement, and analysis of candidate biomarkers found in the microparticles.
http://mpproteomics.com/
Ridge Diagnostics - Diagnostics
Ridge Diagnostics is a neurodiagnostic company with a first-in-class, proprietary blood test for MajorDepressive Disorder (MDD). This breakthrough diagnostic is the first blood-based test to aid in the diagnosis, management and monitoring of any neuropsychiatric disease. In December 2008, Ridge established a CLIA certified laboratory in Research Triangle Park, NC where testing services were initiated. This diagnostic process is highly variable because a minority of physicians use standardized structured interview tools and because antidepressant response is an inefficient measure and often misleading due to placebo effects. Market research suggests that up to 50% of MDD cases are missed at the primary care level. Ridge expects that its breakthrough blood test will also significantly advance the ability to effectively select, monitor and optimize depression treatment.
http://www.ridgedx.com/
Targeson - Diagnostics
Targeson, Inc., founded in 2003 in Charlottesville, VA, develops, manufactures, and markets molecular imaging agents. The company is developing new applications for its technology in diagnostic imaging and therapy, and has launched several products for use in the preclinical drug discovery and research market. The company’s technology is based on proprietary acoustically active microspheres, which enable researchers to identify diseases at the molecular level using portable and cost-efficient ultrasound imaging technology. Targeson launched its first product line, Targestar™, in late 2005 and has recently launched its second generation of targeted ultrasound contrast agents, VisistarTM. http://www.targeson.com/
Tocagen - Biopharmaceuticals
Tocagen is a biopharmaceutical company pursuing the discovery, development and commercialization of products for the treatment of cancer. Tocagen is initially focusing on treatments for patients with advanced cancer for whom no adequate treatment currently exists. The Company believes that the most important remaining challenge to commercialization of gene transfer cancer products is the lack of efficiency and selectivity of gene transfer (bio-distribution) to a large percentage of cancer cells in a solid tumor without harming healthy tissue. The founding technology of the Company is a novel replicating gene transfer platform, which is believed to be more effective, with fewer side effects, than many current conventional cancer treatments.
http://www.to cagen.com
Cleantech
Assure Controls - Water Testing
Assure Controls, Inc. has an innovative and patented “biosensor” system, based on technology licensed from the US Navy to test water for contaminants of any type at harmful levels. The company’s mission is to assure that water is safe for its intended use via assessment technologies that reduce the time, cost, and complexity of water quality testing. This simple quest provides the most important health benefit to mankind and increases the most critical resource for all economies of the world.
http://www.assurecontrols.com/
Diomede Storage - Cloud Storage
Diomede Storage is a green, energy-efficient, cloud storage service that offers enterprise-quality storage service for less than $0.03/GB per month, 3 storage tiers (Online, Nearline, Offline) to match various performance requirements, 5 times less expensive and 60 times less power consumption than Amazon S3 for backup data, and more than 500 pounds of CO2 emissions saved per year for each 1 TB migrated from Amazon S3. Diomede Storage has patent-pending power management technology with best-in-class features, scalability, and reliability. Diomede currently supports many small and mid-sized businesses.
http://www.diomedestorage.com/
ecoATM - Recycling and Waste
ecoATM is pioneering a new solution to an old problem which involves motivating people to participate in electronic recycling by creating financial incentives. ecoATM has patent applications pending including >25 claims associated with electronic reverse vending, inspection, identification and real-time remuneration. ecoATM is the only company developing an automated machine to administer trade-in and electronic recycling programs for retailers and wireless carrier stores. Fry’s Electronics had this to say, “One of these ecoATM’s will be in every electronic retail outlet in 5 years, if only for eWaste law compliance.”
http://www.ecoatm.com
EcoDog - Energy Efficiency
EcoDog’s FIDO Home Energy Watchdog oversees energy generation and use throughout the home, on a room-by-room basis. The software interface, which runs on a home PC, combines this data with current pricing information from the utility. Using patent-pending algorithms, the software displays recommendations of ways in which homeowners can optimize their solar installations, reduce their electric bills and track their ROI. Users can identify specifically where they are using the most electricity and pro-actively make cost-saving changes. When used in conjunction with controllable switches and appliances, the system can carry out recommendations automatically for even greater savings and reduction in peak loads to maximize solar power use.
http://www.ecodoginc.com/
Hadronex - Sewage Control
Hadronex is a rapidly growing early stage company spanning two recession-resistant emerging markets: clean technology and water infrastructure. Integrating 21st century technologies, the SmartCover® product helps utilities prevent sewage spills, and provides an on-line wireless digital data and sensor network that gives water and sanitation utilities the ability to manage their systems more effectively and efficiently. The SmartCover® has won multiple awards, including the California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) award for most innovative technology, CONNECT’s Most Innovative Product Finalist in Clean Technology, and the American Electronics Association Clean Technology finalist.
http://www.mysmartcover.com/
Innolytics - Wildlife Control
There is a compelling need today for better control of nuisance wildlife. Starting with pest birds, Innolytics has developed contraceptive technology to help control flocks of unwanted birds in areas where they damage property and represent a potential health or safety risk. Founded in 2003, Innolytics, LLC is currently focused on safe and humane, avian population control. The company participates in product development, registrations, sales, marketing and customer support for its products. OvoControl®, Innolytics’ brand of nicarbazin, was registered by the USEPA for use in pigeons in mid-2007; first sales occurred in the 4Q07. Sales continue to grow briskly as the product gains traction in the market. OvoControl has been extensively tested under both laboratory and field conditions. Studies show that the eggs from treated pigeons do not hatch (Avery, 2008) and that the population of birds declines at the rate of 48% within 14 months of treatment (Freedom Co., Rimini, 2007; Innolytics, San Diego, 2009). A recent Gates Foundation grant provided research funding for development of the technology in rodents and higher mammals. Innolytics is a boot strap startup. Funding sources have included internal; founders, friends, family, and SBIR.
http://ovocontrol.com/
Retail Inkjet Solutions - Recycling and Waste
Retail Inkjet Solutions, Inc. has developed and currently markets a proprietary system designed specifically for refilling inkjet printer cartridges on-site at major retail, university and corporate locations. This unique solution provides the highest quality inkjet refills to consumers at more than 50% savings; while delivering the reliability, ease-of-use, throughput and upgradeability demanded by major retailers. The RIS InkCenter™ solution has placements today in major retail locations nationwide.
www.retailinkjet.com.
Consumer Products
Everyone Counts - Election Operations
Everyone Counts, Inc. is a post-revenue technology startup with a strong management team, satisfied customers, highly qualified prospects, and field-proven technology. The business is Information Technology solutions for conducting elections, particularly for serving remote and disabled voters. The solutions allow governments to significantly improve operational processes, increase the accuracy of those processes and save more than half the cost of providing elections. Elections are a fast-growing multi-billion-dollar market, hungry for technical improvement with only a few competitors providing inadequate solutions.
http://www.everyonecounts.com/
Innovega - Eyewear
Innovega’s new contact lens-enabled video eyewear platform was developed in response to the media bottleneck created by conventional display technologies. This bottleneck will become more evident as digital media continues to advance. The recent movie, Avatar, represents the quality of media that will soon be commonplace and our desire for “big” media experiences. Innovega’s iOptik™ media interface comprises tiny flat-panels that are wrapped into conventional eyewear and contact lenses that allow the wearer to view both their full and usual environment plus conveniently access available media from mobile or other devices. Innovega’s next generation eyewear, iOptik delivers the equivalent of a 30 inch desk-top monitor display. The iOptik platform could also benefit people with macular degeneration by improving their vision remarkably. The company views defense and low-vision as available and immediate markets for the innovega iOptik platform. The company has won two government defense contracts for a total of $600k, and anticipates a further $1M as follow-on contracts. In addition, the company has been asked to negotiate a considerably larger contract and expect to be able to announce this by late summer or early fall 2011.
http://innovega-inc.com/
MicroPower Technologies - Wireless Video Camera Technology
Founded in 2008 by a team of wireless and video industry professionals, MicroPower Technologies is the creator of the world’s most power-efficient wireless video camera technology. MicroPower has developed an innovative video security system which completely eliminates the need for wires for both power and data, eliminating costly cable pulls and installation. Systems can be deployed immediately in virtually any location, thus eliminating surveillance “blind spots”. The company’s disruptive, truly wireless technology provides significant benefits to users of IP video security cameras in government, public safety, SMB and commercial markets. With extensive patent filings, proven technology and a track record of innovation, MicroPower markets through OEMs, system integrators and distributors to enable the unleashing of video. In December 2010, the company has completed its “Series B” round of venture funding to further product development and expand market share. MicroPower raised approximately $2.2 million through a variety of private and institutional investment sources. The company is headquartered in San Diego, California.
http://www.micropowerapp.com/
Mobile Captions - Mobile Phone Service for Hearing Impaired
Mobile Captions Company (MCC) provides an end-to-end system for the hearing impaired cell phone users allowing them to Catch Every Word!SM. The MCC enabled phone automatically connects to a relay service through the MCC server and easy-to-read captions (text) are delivered in near real time. The hard of hearing (HOH) person can Speak, Listen and Read all at the same time. Sessions can be saved, and text size adjusted. According to the 2006 National Health Survey, there were 37 million adults in the U.S. with hearing trouble. Many of these are “late deafened adults” a group that is growing quickly, as 78 million baby boomers reach retirement age. The group also contains about 4 million adults and children that are severely hearing impaired or deaf and hearing loss is now the number one cause of disability among young veterans. The MCC service is a sought after breakthrough for this growing audience. Mobile Captions Service is currently available through its cellular partner, Consumer Cellular in 11 states and D.C.
www.mobilecaptions.com.
Real Phone Card Corp. - Mobile Telephones
The Real Phone Card Corporation, an early stage San Diego based company, will revolutionize the way the mobile phone is used for marketing, branding, and promotional purposes. Real Phone will launch in the spring of 2009 the world’s first Ultra Low Cost Voice Activated Mobile Phone in the world’s thinnest and lightest package, a credit card size of less than ¼” thick, weighing only 1.3 ozs. The fully encased, highly durable and water resistant CARD Mobile Phone will be a device desired by users and companies around the world.
http://www.realphonecorp.com/
SprayMo - Multi-Use Pressure Sprayer
The SprayMo™ is a patented reusable hand held spray dispensing mechanism with cost, health, safety and environmental advantages over current hand held trigger spray dispensing mechanisms. To dispense a liquid like 409 or Windex with the SprayMo™, one simply squeezes a rubber diaphragm, pressurizing the air in the container and then pushes a button to release the spray. Compared to a conventional hand held trigger sprayer which requires 400+ activations (trigger pulls) to dispense 32 oz. of liquid, the SprayMo™ requires only 20-30 activations (pumping the diaphragm). Due to the unique design of the SprayMo™, approximately 90% less effort is required to dispense liquids compared to existing designs and dispensed liquids are not atomized. Eliminating atomization generates a reduction in product waste of 10% or more and creates significant health benefits.
http://spraymo.com/
TetraVue - Digital Imaging
TetraVue uses patent-pending laser and techniques to enable off-the-shelf digital imaging components (including CMOS imaging chips) to record 3D images with potential for cost reduction to consumers. TetraVue builds on concept already proven by government programs, adding patent-pending techniques that enable commercial use. Key areas are high resolution and automatic data processing. Company’s patent applications already filed. Preliminary experiments and design predict millimeter resolution and 30 Mpt/s speed in handheld device which matches criteria identified by NIST for ideal 3D measurement device.
Innovative Food and Beverage
Aonori Aquafarms - Shrimp Farming
Aonori Aquafarms (Springboard Graduate), AAI has developed NatureFarming™, a proprietary technology that reproduces the natural marine habitat of shrimp. Shrimp are fed on Aonori (Ulva clathrata), a high-protein macro-alga. As a result, flavor, coloration and texture are superior to farmed shrimp, comparable to wild caught shrimp. Our patented low-cost, high yield Aonori pond culture method not only results in a low production cost for shrimp, it also provides in-pond pollution remediation and healthier shrimp. With little or no dependence on marine resources, no pollution, no habitat destruction, no bycatch, and no damage to sea bottoms, this is simply a better way to provide shrimp. In addition, it produces a high value co-product. The Company has recently raised $500,000 from private investors and received a $325,000 grant to begin its pilot operation in San Quintin, Baja California, Mexico.
www.aonori-aquafarms.com
Biosilo Foods - Snack Foods
Biosilo Foods, Inc. dba Gamer Grub develops snack foods that connect specific activities important to a consumer’s lifestyle. Biosilo’s 1st product line, Gamer Grub, has four flavors- including Pizza, PB&J, BBQ and S'mores - packaged in convenient 'Tear N' Tilt' snack packs. The Gamer Grub performance snack line is sold in North America and the United Kingdom . Biosilo is presently seeking its Series A marketing expansion funds.
http://gamergrub.com/about/
Home Town Farms - Energy Efficient Farming
Home Town Farms is a high-margin, energy efficient urban farming, distribution and retail business. The company’s model combines proven and profitable high efficiency vertical growing systems that drastically reduces the amount of water, fuel, land, fertilizer, processing and transportation needed to grow and sell produce, and makes the produce available for sale at the same high-traffic urban location where it is grown. Current farming methods in the U.S. are unsustainable and increasingly more expensive due to high natural resource use and inefficient distribution. Home Town Farms’ operational model changes the economics of how produce is grown and distributed by reducing the natural resources required by traditional farming and eliminating the costs associated with transporting produce hundreds or thousands of miles from farm to consumer. Home Town Farms is raising $700,000 to build a farm, distribution and retail business in San Diego.
http://www.hometownfarms.com/
TailGate Beer - Craft Beer
TailGate Beer offers a robust entry at the intersection of two fast-growing markets: craft beer and tailgating. These markets have had annual sales growth of 10% and 12%, respectively, for the past five years. The beer industry is split between slow-growing, large, domestic and imported beers and fast-growing, ultra-artisan, less-drinkable, and expensive craft beers. Market trends show unsatisfied demand for an affordable, handcrafted, high-consumption beer that is both tasty and drinkable. TailGate Beer has fine-tuned recipes and distribution models to fill that market void. TailGate Beer has created six award-winning hand-crafted ales that combine the unique character of craft brews with the drinkability demanded by everyday consumers. In addition an International Gold Medal for Amber Wave (2010) and the International Gold Medal for TailGate Beer Hefeweizen (2009); all TailGate Beer styles have won California State Awards and numerous local and regional distinctions at Southern California competitions.
http://www.tailgatebeer.com/
Software / Telecommunications / IT
Clarinova - Marketing Software
Clarinova develops collaborative marketing software that allows manufacturers, distributors, and brand owners to promote their products to consumers by using their extensive networks of independent retailers. Front Window, Clarinova’s flagship product, gives retailers a content management system to create websites—called “microsites”—for their
stores and allows manufacturers to syndicate product information and promotions to the retailers’ websites. This system delivers the most cost-effective Web traffic to manufacturers and will produce an extraordinarily valuable database of business and inventory data for independent retailers. Clarinova fills a gap in Internet marketing that affects $76B in US retail sales.
http://www.clarinova.com/
Deal Current - Daily Deal Software
Deal Current is a fast growing deal software and solution provider designed for any publisher looking to create their own Groupon-style daily deal program. The company has over 30 clients in place and 250 expected in 2011 . Deal Current has processed $1 million in transactions in Q1, is seeing 30% month over month growth and clients include The Buffalo News, The Pittsburgh Post and JDate. The company launched a major partnership in 2011 with Triton Loyalty, the largest provider of loyalty and rewards solutions for radio stations – which exposes Deal Current as the deal vendor of choice to more than 800 individual stations. The core team has worked together previously building a print advertising business, running a multi-state sales organization and growing revenues at a major web registration company (The Active Network). The company has spent the last year perfecting its product, refining the sales process, and building the systems to execute. With a team of 16, the business has been operating at cash flow break-even the last two quarters after having raised only $500k in seed investment. The company is now raising a $5 million Series A round to fuel more aggressive client acquisition, new product development and team growth.
http://www.dealcurrent.com/
Extrabux - Consumer Price Comparison and Coupons
Extrabux.com combines comparison shopping with discounts from online coupons and cash back to offer shoppers the lowest prices on nearly every product sold online, thus saving consumers time and money. Extrabux works with over 1,300 of the top 2,000 online retailers to ensure that shoppers buy from reputable online retailers. Upon searching for a product, Extrabux’s search engine displays the online stores that sell that product, along with each store’s price and tax & shipping charges. Extrabux also displays any available online coupons for each store, the cash back the shopper will receive and the final price after discounts. Once the shopper completes a purchase, Extrabux receives a commission from the retailer that ranges from 2-30% of the purchase price. Extrabux keeps roughly a third of this commission and passes the rest on to the shopper as “cash back.” Extrabux also offers a “Shop by Store” section where consumers can receive cash back and use coupons on their everyday online shopping. The company has raised a total of $800,000 in capital.
http://www.extrabux.com/
Joe Media - Digital Media and Advertising
Joe Media is an ad delivery network, marketing platform, and an internet access tool designed to connect brands with their consumers. Joe Media’s network has been developed to utilize WIFI access as a vehicle to deliver accountable, targeted and invited advertising messages to willing and captivated recipients in a unique way that allows the needs of the advertiser, location owner, and the consumer to be met. The networks Joe Media has established are building blocks for future network upgrades which include digital signage and Bluetooth zones to reach consumers through multiple avenues. SMS and email marketing will also be incorporated to position Joe Media as the complete digital out-of-home network. Locally, Joe Media has partnered with NBC to target local retail locations through ‘private label’ networks. Nationally, Joe Media has completed a Phase I rollout with Denny’s Restaurants.
http://www.joemediainc.com/
The Office Games - Business Applications and Gaming Solutions
THE OFFICE GAMES is a comprehensive, digital media experience delivering the latest business applications and gaming solutions in a sophisticated high tech environment. Designed for people on the go who want to check email, print documents while out of the home or office; or for the game enthusiasts with a desire to play the latest PC and XBOX 360 games, THE OFFICE GAMES offers state-of-the-art services coupled with modern convenience. Each location features dozens of computers with fast Internet connectivity and advanced biometric account access. Starting with two locations in San Diego, and growing, THE OFFICE GAMES provides access to high-end PCs and gaming consoles in a clean, safe and modern environment featuring the latest technology. For only $6 per hour, customers activate their accounts through a login screen or via fingerprint scanners provided at each station. THE OFFICE GAMES combines the convenience of an Internet café or hotel business center with the thrill of action-packed gaming to create an ideal environment for work or play.
http://www.theofficegames.com
Sports Innovation and Health
Ask Us International - Software Technology for Comparing Health Insurance
Ask Us International, Inc. (AUI) has developed an analytic software technology that ranks all available health insurance plans sold, by employee, by claim level for small businesses to select the best plans saving over a $1,000 per year per employee on average. Over the past three years the Company has developed a comprehensive product called “SuperAgent®” which changes the way we compare, evaluate, rank and buy healthcare insurance policies. The company is now ready for the product launch and revenue growth stage.
http://www.askusinternational.com
Benchmark Revenue Management - Healthcare Administration
Founded in 2002, Benchmark Revenue Management’s Hospital Efficiency software, delivered as a web service for a monthly fee, has driven substantial cash and net revenue gains for hospitals throughout the United States. Benchmark has generated revenue from hospitals since 2007, has substantial, exclusive, and long standing distribution partnerships with large Healthcare specific companies, and is a recognized innovation leader in driving cost savings in US healthcare today. Benchmark operates in the US Hospital Revenue Cycle software market, a $2B+ market and growing. Benchmark Graduated from the CONNECT Springboard program in 2006 and received initial funding in 2007.
http://www.benchmarkrevenue.com/
ElliptiGo - Elliptical Bicycles
PT Motion Works has developed and is currently selling the world’s first elliptical bicycle. This year, 1.5 million frequent runners in the U.S. will be forced to quit running because of injuries. Elliptigo 8S is the first low-impact exercise device available that emulates the outdoor running experience. The 8S uses an improved version of the elliptical trainer motion to propel a two-wheeled vehicle that performs like a conventional bicycle. It can reach speeds in excess of 25mph on flat ground, can climb and descend steep hills, and handles like a performance road bike. Most importantly, riding the ElliptiGO provides an experience and cardiovascular workout that is very similar to running outdoors.
http://www.elliptigo.com/
GOTRIbal - Social Media for Women Athletes
GOTRIbal® empowers and connects women in endurance sports the resources they need to stay active and healthy in their chosen sport. Regardless of a woman’s ability, age or location, GOTRIbal® provides women safe venues for addressing their specific needs and questions related to their growth and development in endurance sports. IronGirl, AUS Triathlete magazine, SkirtSports and espnW are some of the companies that have supported GOTRIbal as it grows in its offerings to women worldwide. GOTRIbal women are in 19 countries and 44 states. GOTRIbal invites angel investors to consider us in their portfolio if social media enterprises are their passion.
http://www.gotribalnow.com/
Independa - Technology-enabled Independent Living
Independa, Inc. provides integrated technologies and solutions that help caregivers help their loved ones live at home longer, safer, and more comfortably. Independa subscription services address today’s gap in integrated solutions to deliver Technology-enabled Independent Living. Independa provides greater safety, social connectivity and dignity for care receiver, greater peace of mind for their family caregivers, and all-round significant cost savings versus today’s alternatives, especially “healthcare” pricing models families face for institutionalized eldercare.
http://www.independa.com/
Optimal Health - Public Charity
Optimal Health and Prevention Research Foundation (OHPRF) is a 501 (c)(3) public charity, which was founded in 2008, and, following three years of extensive R&D, has developed the Optimal Health and Prevention Personalized Integrative Self-Care Program (the OHP Program). The OHP Program is designed to effectively address multiple preventable root causes of chronic diseases on an individual level. The 12-month personalized OHP Program starts with an 8-week uniquely comprehensive, predictive health assessment. It employs a proprietary panel of over 200 cutting-edge blood, urine and saliva biomarkers, and 100 nutrigenomic and life-style genetic tests; as well multiple validated health questionnaires and over 30 advanced non-invasive and safe physical, imaging and wireless health monitoring tests. The sophistication and comprehensiveness of the Program’s predictive biomarker, wireless health, and functional testing is unprecedented in its ability to determine each individual’s unique genetic, biochemical, physiological and psychological profile and to identify the earliest self-modifiable risk factors for major chronic diseases, all of which are specific for the individual.
http://www.optimalhealth.org/
ZuumCraft - Personal Electric Vehicles
ZuumCraft designs, manufactures, and markets three-wheeled Personal Electric Vehicles to provide environmentally sensitive short distance transportation. Three years in development, the first Zuumers have shipped. Featuring proprietary and patent pending technologies, the Zuumer offers a range of 15- 20 miles, a 20 mph top speed, and the fun factor – stable Lean2Steer (L2Stm) handling. http://www.zuumcraft.com
