Pitch Perfect

Shoujun Xu
UForce Biotechnology

UH chemistry professor Shoujun Xu is a seasoned researcher and innovator in the field of magnetic-based techniques for molecular and cellular imaging and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). His latest innovation is a new technique of super-resolution force spectroscopy, or SURFS.

 “SURFS is based on using acoustic radiation force, or ultrasound, and atomic magnetometry to precisely measure biomolecular interactions,” Xu said. “Our aim is to use this technique for drug screening with unprecedented resolution and specificity.”

 Xu’s group has been developing the technique for more than 10 years, and notes that UH already holds three patents that cover concept, instrumentation and applications.

 “The Innov8 Hub program taught me everything I know about technology commercialization,” Xu said. “The weekly seminars, focused on the basic tools needed to bring an idea to market, offered diverse, constructive critiques that helped me understand how to present our product to a broader audience.

 The Pitch Day audience deemed Xu’s presentation the best of the night and he was awarded $7,500 in legal services to help his business venture and one year of coworking space free of charge. Xu says the program has positioned his company, UForce Biotechnology, for launch in the near future.

Easy Anyama
ODX Health

Easy Anyama, a fourth-year student in the UH College of Optometry, says ODX Health is a collection of ideas that has been evolving for the past four years. The company focuses on improving data harmonization, interoperability and integration in eyecare to reduce inefficiencies and enhance health outcomes. With growing interest in technologies like artificial intelligence, Anyama wants to ensure digital eyecare is safe, reliable and optimal for patients, providers and the industry as a whole.

 “We have been post-revenue for three months now and we are receiving a surprising amount of interest in our work, which is promising,” Anyama said. “Next I’m going to finish optometry school then see where the future takes everything.”

 Anyama says the accelerator program was crucial to his growth as an entrepreneur and his company’s future success.

 “The program helped a lot with how to present ODX to non-experts, as well as providing a great environment for feedback, brainstorming and networking, and I was blessed with a lot of great mentors,” Anyama said. “Our future strategy is definitely in a great place.”

Jeremy Tee & Easy Anyama
Ringit

Anyama’s second entry in the Pitch Day event was a team effort with fellow fourth-year optometry student Jeremy Tee.

 “The idea for Ringit was the brainchild of a previous mentor of mine,” Anyama said. “I joined in the research and later the development and commercialization efforts. About a year ago, I brought Jeremy onto the team due to how well his passions and talents aligned with the project.”

 Ringit aims to address the challenge of medication management for the visually impaired. With a substantial number of people living with visual impairments, most of whom don’t use Braille, they saw a need for a practical, low-cost solution.

 “Ringit is an innovative and adaptive labeling system that allows for identification of medication and their dosages through intuitive, touch-based features, enhancing independence and safety,” Tee said.

 Tee says the next steps are finalizing the product design and getting it into the hands of eyecare providers for feedback before preparing initial manufacturing and distribution efforts.

“The program has been instrumental in supporting our commercialization process and the future looks bright,” Tee said. “They have provided great guidance for navigating and utilizing SBIR and STTR programs effectively and their support has been useful in furthering our product and commercialization strategy.”

Jan Beetge
AltiSora

Jan Beetge, founder of AltiSora, says the idea for his oil-based, “green” waterproofing application AltiSeal grew out of frustration with wood treatments that either didn’t work or didn’t last very long.

 “While working with some red cedar siding on a project, I used every sealant and UV protectant available in the hardware stores, but the appearance faded over time,” Beetge said. “Then, after cracks formed in the wood during the freeze in ’21, I saw a serious need for an environmentally friendly product that not only preserved the wood’s original appearance in an outdoor setting but extended its service life as well.”

 The application, which Beetge says is like “Botox for wood,” is based on high sustainability raw materials that are non-hazardous and non-toxic. He’s grateful for the guidance and support the Innov8 Hub provided.

 “The accelerator program helped refine the value proposition and open up new and exciting market opportunities,” Beetge said. “Critique and feedback from all members of the group helped bring focus to various aspects of our business plan, and it helped to have a soundboard to validate our ideas.”

Jason Shi
Smart Planter Project

Upon returning home from a recent vacation, Jason Shi saw that all of his plants had died while he was away. Then he saw an opportunity.

 “That’s when I thought of creating a high-tech planter, a device that autonomously takes care of your plants and keeps them healthy while you’re gone” said Shi, a UH engineering student. “I discovered many people love plants but struggle taking care of them properly, so I wanted to make plant care simple and manageable for them.”

 Shi had the basic idea and design for his planter but didn’t know a lot about sales, marketing and dealing with investors. That’s where Innov8 Hub was crucial to his growth, with a focus on market analysis, business planning and making his product appealing to investors.

 “I received valuable feedback, which was eye-opening,” Shi said. “The diverse environment and interaction with other early-stage innovators who were on similar paths provided me with unique perspectives. It was an incredible journey of learning and growth.”

 Shi’s next step is to test his product with customers and use the feedback to refine it before taking it to a broader audience. And he hopes to continue collaborating with Technology Bridge and the SBDC to deepen his understanding of marketing, sales and consumer behavior.