Cash for brains: B.Franklin Tech pumps $2.3M to 16 start-ups
Local brains get funded
Ben Franklin Technology Partners, the Philadelphia-based, state-backed startup/early-stage investment fund, says it's spreading $2.3 million among 16 new and repeat companies set up by locally-based brains:
Jenrin Discovery Inc. (Ross. J. Chorvat, Wilmington, Del.) -- developing "small-molecule drugs" that "selectively target peripheral receptors" for liver disease, diabetes, obesity.
SonoSolve (Steven C. Davis, Philadelphia, and doctors at Penn) -- "a revolutionary new device that aims to eliminate catheter-associated complications, using non-invasive sound waves to clear obstructions" and biofilms within catheters. https://sonosolve.com/
MBF Therapeutics (Thomas Tillett, Ambler) -- "a veterinary oncology company" http://mbftherapeutics.com/
Kynectiv, Inc. (Bob Yayac, Ambler) -- "a leading provider of simulation-based technology" and data collection for worker training programs http://kynectiv.com/
Advent Therapeutics, Inc. (David Lopez, Lumberville, Pa.): "A platform approach" to develop neonatal, pediatric and similar "orphan drug niche markets"
VitalTrax (Zikira Syed, Philadelphia) - "A cloud based enterprise platform and a mobile application" for clinical trials. http://vitaltrax.net/
Choosito! Inc. (Eleni Miltsakaki, Philadelphia) -- Developed an "artifical intelligence natural language processing and machine learning technology" to select digital content appropriate to students. http://choosito.com/
The One Health Company (Christina K. Lopes, Philadelphia): "Connecting naturally sick pets to clinical trials just like in human (cancer) trials"
http://theonehealthcompany.com/
Photosonix Medical, Inc. (Drs. Mark Schafer and Tessie McNeely, Fort Washington) : Trademarked CLENS (Coincident Light Energy and Non-focused ultraSound), "a novel energy-based therapy" using light and ultrasound "to treat chronic bacterial infections (biofilms)" staring with "moderate to severe acne." http://photosonixmed.com/
FlockU ( Josh Verne, King of Prussia): "A digital hub dedicated to providing college students" student-written material on everything from "current events to party tips." http://www.flocku.com/
Sustrana LLC (Nancy Cleveland, Devon, Pa.) : "A software company that provides sustainability management solutions" http://sustrana.com/
Keriton LLC (Vidur S. Bhatnagar, Philadelphia): "Breast milk management and lactation analytics platform for neonatal intensive-care units" http://www.keriton.com/
COSY Cognitive Operations Systems, Inc. (Jonas Cleveland, Prof. Kostas Daniilidis ex-GRASP Lab at Penn chief and co-founder kapou.gr): "An artificial intelligence software company that powers off-the-shelf robots to survey retail store floors" http://cosyrobo.com/#home