Making Their Pitch
Aspiring Innovators Hit All the Right Notes at UH’s Innov8 Hub
When Tanu Chatterji looks back on year one of the Innov8 Hub accelerator program at the University of Houston’s Technology Bridge, the region’s premier park for tech commercialization, industrial partnerships and startup development, she can’t help but be in awe of how far the program has come in such a short amount of time.
“We’ve gone from just coaching to getting community business leaders involved and putting more ecosystem partnerships in place that have really helped the program grow,” said Chatterji, associate director of startup development at UH. “Now we have experts from several different organizations that are not only mentoring our founders but are genuinely interested in their innovations and helping get them to market.”
Tanu Chatterji, associate director of startup development at UH's Tech Bridge.
Tanu Chatterji, associate director of startup development at UH's Tech Bridge.
Nearly a year after it launched, the program just celebrated another cohort of aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs on its fourth Startup Pitch Day.
“This event showcases the incredible talent and ingenuity of our founders, and the partnerships we’ve provided to help them succeed.”
“This event showcases the incredible talent and ingenuity of our founders, and the partnerships we’ve provided to help them succeed,” said Ramanan Krishnamoorti, vice president of energy and innovation at UH. “Through this program, we are empowering these visionaries to transform their ideas into market-ready solutions that can create lasting impact in their industries and continue to transform our regional ecosystem.”
Pictured L-R: Sammy Tawakkol, Gail Aflalo, Jokūbas Žiburkus, Maddie DeJong, Alexandra Ulinski, Joe Lane, Deepak Krintha, Tanu Chatterji, Robert Johnson
Pictured L-R: Sammy Tawakkol, Gail Aflalo, Jokūbas Žiburkus, Maddie DeJong, Alexandra Ulinski, Joe Lane, Deepak Krintha, Tanu Chatterji, Robert Johnson
What is Innov8 Hub?
Innov8 Hub is a founder-driven series of accelerator programs for early-stage startups led by UH Technology Bridge in partnership with the UH Small Business Development Center. Each cohort features six to eight aspiring entrepreneurs who want to explore bringing their ideas to market, and they receive all the tools needed to launch their ventures. To date, 47 founders have come through the program.
“This program is about empowering the next generation of changemakers.”
Innov8 Hub uses methodology designed by another partner, the Wendy Kennedy Institute, that provides step-by-step, easy-to-use frameworks to help founders determine and communicate a clear and compelling value proposition for their idea.
“By providing these founders with the tools, mentorship and resources they need, we’re not only fostering innovation but also building a more vibrant and dynamic business community,” said Robert Johnson, co-founder of Innov8 Hub and business advisor at SBDC.
At the end of the three-month program, each founder has the opportunity to showcase their work in front of the innovation community, including potential partners and investors, at Startup Pitch Day.
In this latest competition, eight innovators representing six companies vied for a top prize of $2,500 and a package including legal help with patent and trademark applications, pro bono consulting and everything else involved in forming a company.
Robert Johnson, co-founder of Innov8 Hub and business advisor at UH SBDC, speaks at Startup Pitch Day.
Robert Johnson, co-founder of Innov8 Hub and business advisor at UH SBDC, speaks at Startup Pitch Day.
Startup Pitch Day organizers present the first-place check to Brain Haven founders Jokūbas Žiburkus and Gail Aflalo.
Startup Pitch Day organizers present the first-place check to Brain Haven founders Jokūbas Žiburkus and Gail Aflalo.
The Founders
Jokūbas Žiburkus & Gail Aflalo
Brain Haven
Brain Haven provides multisensory therapies to treat people with impaired memory and sensory functions, such as Alzheimer's Disease.
Brain Haven provides multisensory therapies to treat people with impaired memory and sensory functions, such as Alzheimer's Disease.
Shark Tank veteran Vance Zahorski presents the first-place check to Brain Haven founders Jokūbas Žiburkus and Gail Aflalo.
Shark Tank veteran Vance Zahorski presents the first-place check to Brain Haven founders Jokūbas Žiburkus and Gail Aflalo.
The winning pitch came from the team at Brain Haven, a cutting-edge startup born from Jokūbas Žiburkus’ neuroscience courses at UH that is transforming care for people with impaired memory and sensory functions, like those suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia.
“The concept began as an educational project where students were encouraged to think creatively about the potential of multisensory environments,” Žiburkus said. “It’s incredible to see how that initial spark has evolved into a meaningful solution for sensory loss and neurodivergence.”
Žiburkus, an associate professor of biology and biochemistry in UH’s College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, launched Brain Haven with one of those students, Gail Aflalo, who just earned her bachelor's degree in biology and will soon begin graduate studies in the UH College of Optometry.
“UH’s Tech Bridge continues to flourish as a melting pot of innovation and creativity, and Brain Haven is a testament to this thriving community.”
By combining scents and sounds into clinically validated, highly accessible protocols, Brain Haven provides personalized, multisensory therapies that aim to enhance and improve brain function and quality of life at a fraction of the cost of traditional therapeutics.
“The idea took root as an educational project, inspiring students to explore the potential of multisensory environments,” Aflalo said. “With support from Innov8 Hub, we’ve refined our business model and we’re ready to secure intellectual property rights, get seed funding and establish a foothold in Houston’s booming medial innovation ecosystem.”
Mariachi Sana Sana, a non-profit created by Brain Haven co-founder Gail Aflalo, performs at Startup Pitch Day.
Mariachi Sana Sana, a non-profit created by Brain Haven co-founder Gail Aflalo, performs at Startup Pitch Day.
Taking the sensory stimulation a step further, Aflalo also created a non-profit called Mariachi Sana Sana and performs with the group at memory care centers around Houston.
“UH’s Tech Bridge continues to flourish as a melting pot of innovation and creativity, and we believe Brain Haven stands as a testament to this thriving community,” she said.
Alexandra Ulinski
Macaw UAS
As an air quality researcher in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at UH’s College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Alexandra Ulinkski’s work depends on accurate data. But when she discovered a lack of suitable drone options to use in her research, she decided to build her own.
Ulinski, who earned her B.S. in physics at UH in 2022, and her colleague, Dr. James Flynn, are developing a new, easily deployable drone that is purpose-built for research and air pollution monitoring, with a high payload capacity and designed to integrate with a variety of high-quality sensors.
“We’ll incorporate real-time data streaming and provisions for extended sampling inlets which are critical for accurate air quality measurements,” Ulinski said. “I formed my company, Macaw UAS, to commercialize our drone, but first I need to develop a prototype. Dr. Flynn and I are currently pursuing funding options for that.”
Macaw UAS tied for second place in the competition and earned a share of $1,000 and an intellectual property support package.
The Innov8 Hub program is helping Ulinski along the way, with facilitators and mentors offering inspiration and support as she translates her technical experience to entrepreneurship.
“It’s encouraging to know how many people in the ecosystem are willing to help early entrepreneurs like me,” she said. “And I'm happy to have been a part of a program that encourages out-of-the-box thinking with facilitators that have such a strong understanding of the transition between technical innovation and commercialization.”
Alexandra Ulinski works on her drone prototype at UH's Tech Bridge.
Alexandra Ulinski works on her drone prototype at UH's Tech Bridge.
The drone is capable of carrying a large payload and sensory equipment for a host of air quality and weather monitoring projects.
The drone is capable of carrying a large payload and sensory equipment for a host of air quality and weather monitoring projects.
Alexandra Ulinski pitches her innovation to a panel of judges at Startup Pitch Day.
Alexandra Ulinski pitches her innovation to a panel of judges at Startup Pitch Day.
Macaw UAS and LUCID shared the second-place prize at Startup Pitch Day.
Macaw UAS and LUCID shared the second-place prize at Startup Pitch Day.
Joe Lane & Praveen Bollini
LUCID
LUCID is pioneering low-cost carbon mitigation solutions, such as a scalable, organic-free adsorbent.
LUCID is pioneering low-cost carbon mitigation solutions, such as a scalable, organic-free adsorbent.
The LUCID team in the lab working on their innovative products that could revolutionize CO2 capture.
The LUCID team in the lab working on their innovative products that could revolutionize CO2 capture.
Joe Lane and Praveen Bollini, co-founders of LUCID.
Joe Lane and Praveen Bollini, co-founders of LUCID.
Serendipity.
That’s the word Joe Lane, a chemical engineering Ph.D. candidate at UH, and Praveen Bollini, an associate professor in UH’s Cullen College of Engineering, use to describe how the idea for LUCID, their startup that is pioneering low-cost carbon mitigation solutions, came about.
“We were working on a project in heterogeneous catalysis when we noticed CO2 was adsorbing onto a material we were testing,” Lane said. “That observation led us to see the potential of this material as a new kind of carbon capture solution.”
Their first breakthrough product is a scalable, organic-free adsorbent designed for direct air capture applications. The duo enhanced the material, a metal hydroxide, to improve its performance, creating an innovative product that could revolutionize CO2 capture.
Bollini credits the Innov8 Hub program for helping make their vision a reality.
“Our carbon capture material started in the lab, but Innov8 really transformed LUCID into a business,” Bollini said. “The mentorship, guest speakers and structured guidance helped us turn our invention into a comprehensive business plan.”
Next, LUCID, which tied for second place, aims to secure funding, scale up manufacturing and demonstrate the process in a pilot-scale facility.
“We’re excited to build a team and connect with partners to bring this product to market,” Lane said. “And with our innovative spirit, LUCID is poised to redefine the future of carbon mitigation.”
Maddie DeJong
The Green Sling™
Maddie DeJong, who just graduated from UH with a master’s degree in entrepreneurship, founded The Green Sling™ as an answer to a problem she faced while training for a marathon – what to do with those extra layers you shed while running?
“I was frustrated not knowing what to do with those layers, and after doing some research, I found out there was no existing solution on the market,” DeJong said. “With my background in textiles, apparel and sustainability, I set out to create a solution that was affordable and good for the environment.”
The Green Sling™, which is currently patent-pending, is an innovative running belt made from upcycled leggings with one compartment to safely store personal items and another made to store extra layers with ease.
DeJong says Innov8 Hub was helpful in getting business off the ground.
“As an entrepreneurship student, I already understood most of the concepts covered by the hub, but it was a great resource because of the mentorship offered,” she said. “It was a great sounding board as I launched in the beginning of October. Now I’m ready to scale my business by further solidifying my supply chain and pushing my product through TikTok Shop and local pop-ups.”
The Green Sling™ is an eco-friendly storage idea for runners made from recycled spandex and other materials.
The Green Sling™ is an eco-friendly storage idea for runners made from recycled spandex and other materials.
Maddie DeJong with her The Green Sling™ display at Startup Pitch Day.
Maddie DeJong with her The Green Sling™ display at Startup Pitch Day.
Sammy Tawakkol
Reimmerse
Sammy Tawakkol pitches his company, Reimmerse, at Startup Pitch Day.
Sammy Tawakkol pitches his company, Reimmerse, at Startup Pitch Day.
Sammy Tawakkol demonstrates his VR technology at Startup Pitch Day.
Sammy Tawakkol demonstrates his VR technology at Startup Pitch Day.
Sammy Tawakkol is using VR technology as a neurological rehabilitation experience.
Sammy Tawakkol is using VR technology as a neurological rehabilitation experience.
When it comes to virtual reality, while most people see computer-generated 3D environments, Sammy Tawakkol, a second-year Ph.D. student in computer science at UH, sees opportunity.
With 700,000 strokes in the U.S. each year, and more than 15 million worldwide, and with the cost of telehealth and virtual reality rising, Tawakkol is designing neurological rehabilitation experiences around video games through Reimmerse.
“That’s what VR technology was designed for,” Tawakkol said. “My idea is to create a suite of VR experiences, notably interactive games, for neuro rehab. And hopefully we can bridge the gaps that exist in accessible and affordable care.”
After Startup Pitch Day, Tawakkol is more determined than ever to build out his project and get it to market.
“Innov8 Hub has given me resources and insight into how to talk about my idea, how it works and how to find a true target market,” Tawakkol said. “Never did I realize how much my perspective would change while the idea itself and my goals stayed the same.”
Deepak Kranthi
Simple Recruit
Deepak Kranthi’s idea for Simple Recruit emerged from the common pain points in the hiring function: time-consuming job post creation, resume screening and candidate evaluation.
Through generative AI and cloud technologies, Kranthi’s team has developed a solution that streamlines recruitment workflows and reduces time-to-hire without compromising candidate quality.
“Prior to Innov8, I had a foundational concept but lacked structured market entry strategies,” Kranthi said. “Innov8’s program was transformative – their methodology helped identify our beachhead market and refine our value proposition through comprehensive analysis. The collaborative environment and group discussions were instrumental in developing proposals that aligned with industry standards and investor expectations.”
With help from the Innov8 Hub, Kranthi has now laid out his development roadmap that includes an engineering phase, testing and validation and market entry.
“Through structured brainstorming sessions with fellow entrepreneurs and expert guidance from organizers, we uncovered new feature opportunities and use cases,” he said. “The collective analysis brought diverse perspectives that enhanced the product's scope and market potential.”
Deepak Kranthi pitches his company, Simple Recruit, at Startup Pitch Day.
Deepak Kranthi pitches his company, Simple Recruit, at Startup Pitch Day.
Deepak Kranthi pitches his company, Simple Recruit, at Startup Pitch Day.
Deepak Kranthi pitches his company, Simple Recruit, at Startup Pitch Day.
What’s Next?
Innov8 Hub is just one part of a booming ecosystem in the Houston region where research and innovation are thriving. For eight of the past nine years, UH has ranked among the top 100 universities globally for the number of utility patents issued. UH is also home to the nation’s top-ranked undergraduate entrepreneurship program, the Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship.
“The future of research and innovation at UH is brighter than ever. We’re just getting started, and I’m excited to see where these ventures go.”
“It’s clear that our community is full of creative thinkers and trailblazers eager to turn groundbreaking ideas into reality,” Chatterji said. “The future of research and innovation at UH is brighter than ever. We’re just getting started, and I’m excited to see where these ventures go.”
Now the search is on for the next group of aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs who are ready to make their ideas a reality. For more information on Innov8 Hub’s “Innovator to Founder” program, click here. Registration for the next cohort opens in January.
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