Four Launch Blue Startups Earn Kentucky Matching Funds
July 1, 2021
Four Launch Blue startups will receive state matching grants to support high-paying jobs and technology development in Kentucky. The grants are part of the commonwealth’s nationally recognized Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Matching Funds program.
The program, overseen by KY Innovation within the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, provides critical non-dilutive capital for promising early stage tech companies by matching all or part of federal SBIR/STTR awards received by Kentucky-based companies or companies committing to relocating to the state.
The four Launch Blue startups receiving funding are:
Active Therapy Systems LLC (Nicholasville): Active Therapy Systems is developing a technology to deliver personalized, automated and adaptive physical therapies for people with Parkinson’s disease. The technology acts as a virtual coach for patients, facilitating remote therapeutic exercise and social engagement via an in-home device that monitors real-time functionality to adapt cloud-based digital content to improve physical performance, cognition and physiological response to exercise.
Inquiry Technologies LLC (London): The research and product development inspired by Inquiry Technologies allows individuals to better express themselves by using digital capture technology designed to heighten learning, encourage self-evaluation and offer feedback channels providing highly personalized and non-threatening constructive criticism. The technology encourages users to respond to questions and prompts while capturing their speech, facial expressions and any on-screen actions they may be demonstrating in real time. The resulting videos prompt users to self-reflect upon their efforts, make changes as needed and eventually share their work with those in training and/or managerial positions.
VerraGlo LLC (Lexington): Collaborators at VerraGlo and the University of Kentucky have developed foundational technology for light-emitting metal-organic lumiphores (MOL). MOL sensors can measure peroxide value (PV) in edible fats and oils, which must be continually tested to meet product specifications and assure quality in the food industry. The industry standard for measuring PV requires laboratory glassware, the use of flammable and toxic solvents that are expensive to purchase and dispose of, takes about 15 minutes to conduct, suffers from lack of sensitivity and poor endpoint determination, and requires trained personnel. The current VerraGlo assay that uses MOL sensors can measure PV in about three minutes and uses no laboratory glassware, no solvents and requires no cleanup.
Wild Dog Physics LLC (Lexington): Wild Dog Physics’ flagship device and service, the Quality Assurance Integrator (QAI), innovates in precise and efficient cancer care by conquering several nagging challenges to top-notch cancer care. The QAI is a radiation medicine hardware device that provides innovative technology, consolidates multiple pieces of equipment, is lightweight, portable and robust, and provides complete regulatory and best practice standards for data collection. It promotes cost-efficiencies, quality improvements, regulatory compliance and better data while improving access to and speed of treatment.