The Iowa State University Startup Factory is thrilled to announce the selection of 12 innovative startups for Cohort 16.
This new cohort brings a diverse array of technologies and entrepreneurial ventures to the table, emerging from across Iowa, with two of the startups choosing to remain in “stealth mode” as they develop their groundbreaking ideas.
Continuing our commitment to fostering global innovation, we are also excited to welcome Ecoessence Solutions, a team from our ongoing partnership with Kenyatta University and ISAAA AfriCenter. This collaboration highlights our dedication to supporting innovative solutions not just in Iowa, but around the world.
Cohort 16 includes:
- EazeClasp (Emily M.S. Worrall and Megan Lenzi): An accessible jewelry company that creates innovative, stylish designs for all, including those with limited dexterity.
- ReMag Solutions (Ihor Hlova): Delivering critical materials solutions by developing innovative technologies for energy and chemical conversion, with a focus on a sustainable future.
- The Athletes Health (Gabe Rummel): A mental performance coaching service aimed at improving athletes’ confidence and composure to help them reach peak performance.
- MedLib, Inc. (Eranda Sooriyarachchi): Empowering physicians and informing patients using AI technology.
- MedTrans LLC (Hala Deng): A medical interpreting software providing real-time speech-to-speech interpretations, making complex medical jargon accessible to patients.
- Lunar Lighting Alternatives (Adam Thiessen): Conducting research and development on elementally doped receptacles to light low atmospheric missions for non-terrestrial missions.
- Immuno Nano Med (Balaji Narasimhan, Michael Wannemuehler, Kevin Legge, and Tom Waldschmidt): A start-up focused on developing particle-based vaccines against infectious diseases.
- Pocianet (Wensheng Zhang): A decentralized platform for social networking and personal data management, enabling users to fully own and control their data.
- Ecoessence Solutions (Silas Ongadi, Warda May): A Kenyan company specializing in eco-friendly briquettes made from sorghum bagasse and other local waste materials, aiming to reduce agricultural waste, combat deforestation, and provide sustainable, affordable energy alternatives.
- CeraExel (Anand P S Gaur, Jun Cui, Xiaoli Tan): Developing energy-efficient capacitors for advanced green electric vehicles (EVs).
Since its inception in 2016, the Iowa State University Startup Factory has supported 137 ventures across 15 cohorts, which have collectively raised $98 million in funding. The Startup Factory is dedicated to helping researchers and inventors develop roadmaps to realize the societal and economic impact of their high-tech innovations. Our goal is to help innovators and founders transition from “tech-speak” to “business-speak,” bridging the gap between research and market-ready products.
To learn more about each of these ventures, join us at the
Startup Factory Demo Day event on Tuesday, December 10 for founder presentations, networking, and an opportunity to learn more about the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
