Congrats to Mark R. Hatch, DBA, MBA and Lorenzo Mangolini from SiLi-ion Inc. on making it to the Quarterfinals of the San Diego Angel Conference V. SiLi-ion is a University of California, Riverside labs spinout that produces additives that enable immediate improvement in Lithium-ion battery performance. Another one of the impressive Climate Tech startups coming out of UCR, Riverside, and Inland Southern California.
Edge Sound Research’s award-winning ResonX was featured in Billboard Magazine’s Best Innovation of CES 2023 as the “Best Venue Audio Innovation.” Congrats to Founders Valtteri Salomaki and Ethan Castro and the ESR team. ESR has invented a new kind of experiential sound in the labs at University of California, Riverside for pro sports stadiums, music, and gaming.
Congrats to our 11 Riverside Angel Summit Semi-Finalists. Together we can build a strong local ecosystem in Riverside and the larger Inland Empire region where innovation and entrepreneurship can thrive.
Some really impressive tech startups across Agtech, Cleantech, B2B SaaS and Healthtech. I look forward to seeing who the Citrus Seeds investors choose as the Finalists for Riverside Angel Summit this week.
The Semi-Finalists are:
Edge Sound Research : [Gaming, Consumer Hardware]: Audio experiences have stayed stagnant over the past three decades, while all other forms of content have evolved. It’s time that new innovation in audio moves the industry forward and gets us closer to the experiences we crave. At EDGE Sound Research, our dedication is not only to make existing audio experiences better but also to simultaneously redefine how we experience sound as a whole.
Vinduino : [Agtech, IoT]: Vinduino provides predictive intelligence and control services to help farmers manage their crops better under changing climate conditions.
FarmSense : [Agtech]: FarmSense is poised to revolutionize pest management. Our patented digital FlightSensor platform utilizes autonomous intelligent insect sensors providing real-time species identification and field intelligence mated to a machine earning AI database. This real time data provides solutions for agricultural, vector disease, and animal health applications. Our technology decreases pesticides dependence and increases food security.
MIplus Solar : [Cleantech, Clean Energy]: MIplus Solar Inc. is a start-up, spun-out from the University of California Riverside. MIplus Solar is a group of engineers, communications and business specialists based out of the University of California, Riverside who are developing the MIplus Solar Battery: A technology with the potential to revolutionize solar energy, making it a reliable and affordable energy source for every family and community.
UAV-IQ : [Agtech, Drones]: UAV-IQ, which stands for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Intelligence, is an agricultural technology company that leverages deep experience in large-scale drone operations and precision agriculture to develop and scale solutions for growers. UAV-IQ now stands poised to scale a groundbreaking new service of drone-based biological control which releases beneficial insects to control pest populations as an effective alternative to pesticides.
Clearpol : [Healthtech, B2B SaaS]: Healthcare compliance made simple.
SiLi-ion : [Cleantech, Battery]: SiLi-ion is perfecting a patented silicon carbon-shell nanoparticle powder additive that will enable immediate improvements to lithium-ion batteries. Our customers will be Li-ion battery manufacturers, allowing them to expand their product lines to include a high energy density segment without the need to change their current equipment or processes. This approach leverages the existing manufacturing base, applications, and sales channels.
GattaCo : [Med Device]: GattaCo developed a revolutionary new technologies that enabled clinical quality blood/plasma sampling at patients’ homes and decentralized testing. GattaCo is initially pursuing a B2B business model that will allow us to enable dozens of new products by integrating patented Cap-Reset™ material with partners’ diagnostic tests. We generate revenue through sales of A-PON™ Kits and pipeline products to multiple 3rd party labs supporting DTC services, and through funded development projects leading to licensing fees and royalties. GattaCo may pursue B2C opportunities at a later stage of growth.
Pharm Robotics : [Agtech, Robotics]: We are revolutionizing the inoculation process for dairy and beef cows with robotics. The automated system administers and records when vital pharmaceuticals are given. We send this info to the cloud, where farmers with real-time data can make informed decisions pertaining to herd health and labor usage. Leading to an increase in immunization/pregnancy rates, reduced labor/replacement costs, and better milk quality.
Pulse360 : [Fintech, B2B SaaS]: Financial advisors use a hodge-podge of tech/processes to capture their meeting notes & convert that to follow-up with their clients – wasting 50-minutes for every 1 meeting. With our software, advisors are already saving over 50% of the time and gives them the capacity to grow. By integrating with industry CRMs, we are tapping into their user base. We have already proven this channel works. We are excited to transform wealth management.
Swellter : [Healthtech, B2B SaaS]: Swellter is a platform as a service providing licensing opportunities to pharmaceutical companies and diagnostic laboratories for delivering educational content, via mobile and web enabled applications, to physicians and patients. Today, industry struggles to get in front of patients and physicians. Swellter augments the sales and educational teams by providing targeted and disease specific information at the point of care and beyond.
Startups & entrepreneurs in Riverside and the Inland Empire – a reminder to apply to pitch for the largest equity investment ever at a pitch event in our region – up to $100K at the Riverside Angel Summit. The deadline to apply is this Friday September 10th. Remember that you can continue to update your profile on the Gust CRM after the deadline, so get something in ASAP even if you just upload your pitch deck. It should only take about 5-10 minutes to apply. Remember that you must have raised less than $750K in equity capital to qualify and that grants (SBIR/STTR, etc) don’t count as part of the $750K. Let me know if you have any questions.
Murrieta Genomics, the launchpad for genomic sequencing startups, has announced that simplSEQ, an incubator company, has completed its seed round funding, having received $2 million in total. Funds are to be used to validate the company’s novel sample preparation technology with external labs, further protect its patent-pending intellectual property and bring the first products to market.
“This is the amount we targeted to get to revenue generation,” stated John Powers, CEO of simplSEQ. “Our first product is a kit for the purification and isolation of nucleic acids from plasma that we believe will transform the genomic industry.”
Powers went on to explain that simplSEQ is initially focused on Nucleic Acid purification and Targeted Assays. The first product is designed to allow labs to isolate and purify virtually all DNA and RNA from biological samples in a completely different way than currently used. The company believes that its proprietary process will be a significant improvement over the existing conventions.
The simplSEQ NGS Group is looking for a skilled scientist to join our NGS Lab. As a key member of the development team, you will be instrumental in the direction, success and the implementation of library sample preparation kits and products.
This is a fast-paced role that will involve cross-functional abilities. It will require a motivated individual who is internally focused and a practical solution provider.
Responsibilities will include
Running and analysis of molecular biology assays, such as PCR, qPCR, and NGS
Operation and tracking of stability studies and equipment
Transfer, optimization and standardization of new assays from product development teams
Assisting external collaborators with experimental design, carrying out experiments and maintaining good documentation
Making technical recommendations based on knowledge, experience and data
Day-to-day communication with collaborators and customers
Evaluation of new analytical tools and techniques
The role and team may evolve and so, the scope of these responsibilities is likely to expand.
Required Skills and Experience:
Education: BA/BS in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Bioengineering, Biophysics
1-5 years relevant work experience
Experience in the following: PCR, qPCR and NGS.
Strong theoretical and practical molecular biology skills
Self-motivated and adaptable
Good communication skills
Must be a team player
Demonstrated experience in solving challenging, interdisciplinary problems at the interface of biology, chemistry and materials science.
Desired Skills
NGS assay and instrumentation
Development, optimization or research experience
Understanding and experience in DOE and other statistical methods
At simplSEQ, we strive to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace by cultivating an environment in which everyone contributes to our mission.
Winners of the regional pitch competitions will be entered into the Fast Pitch Finale, where the finalists from all the regional competitions will pitch for a chance to win up to $10,000 this year. #RivCoInnovation
These are the tech and scalable startups in the Riverside and Inland Empire region with the most traction I am tracking in March (in alphabetical order):
