Katherine Olives
Its only a few more days until Demo Day–have you met the the startups yet? Youll get to vote for one favorite in each track (there are four tracks–Kaylie Prize for Hardware, Zahn Social Impact, Standard Chartered Women+Tech4NYC, and Zahn Technology). Below youll meet the startups competing for the Kaylie Prize this year!
Many of the teams in this track are born out of senior design or research projects from the School of Engineering or Architecture, and some are inspired by real-life problems people closest to them face. Startups in this cohort are developing tangible products in our MakerLab, and work closely with the students in our Apprenticeship Program to develop their prototypes. And it might be a coincidence, but all of them are medtech-focused–theyre either focusing on making chronic diseases and conditions more manageable, or dabbling in preventive practices with fitness devices.
So who are they?
Design & Disorder is a multi-pronged technology for the deaf community and those with hearing loss, combining a stylish wearable with sensors in the home to help individuals identify & locate sounds. Not only will these individuals feel safer (theyll hear a door opening, the water running, etc.), but it will allow individuals to establish more independence. One of the co-founders, Heba Attia (a Psychology major), has a personal experience with this that drives the team forward. Shes joined by Marvel Delva, an Architecture major, and Elmi Jimenez, an Electrical Engineering student, both equally determined to bring this idea to life.
Glucodot is a wearable device for individuals with diabetes that allows the user to monitor their glucose levels without pricking their fingers. The device will stick on the user, using sweat to monitor glucose levels. Its particularly ideal for those who need to continuously monitor. The Glucodot team is made up computer, chemical, and biomedical engineering students Emily Choon, Sandy Qiu, Sabrina Shafi, and Maliha Tabassum. How did they come up with the idea? Many of their family members suffer from diabetes, and they wanted to help them & others like them manage the disease.
Another competitor is WiseWatch, a stylish and customizable tracking device for individuals suffering from dementia. The bracelet will give caregivers and family members peace of mind, while also allowing people with dementia to gain more independence. This idea was inspired by one of the cofounders personal experience with his grandmother, and those of us who have experienced dementia know how terrifying it is to have your loved one wander off, vulnerable. The WiseWatch team is made up of Mechanical Engineering majors Nikolas Arsenlis and Norphel Sherpa, Computer Science majors Danish Faruqi and Thomas Ly, and recent grad Bethold Kobe Owusu.
Another group of mechanical engineers and computer engineers are working on The Coach, an interactive, automated boxing device that trains you & makes working out fun. The Coach team is dedicated to fitness and believes its the best preventive medicine. However, they know working out isnt always easy, and it certainly isnt always fun. Their goal is to bring an engaging boxing HIIT workout into the home to fit busy lifestyles, almost like a Peloton for boxing. We cant wait to see it in action! The Coach is made up of Mechanical Engineering majors Okiermute Oyiborhoro and Mahutin Paul, Computer Engineering major Krongchai Praponpoj, Computer Science major Nicholas Weatherley, and graduate student Granville Parker.
Another startup looking to help fitness junkies get the most of their workout is Adon, a smart clothing brand focused on providing 3D form tracking and personalized feedback. Their goal is to minimize fitness-related injury and maximize the results of weight lifting by helping you maintain proper form. The team believes this is a great option for those without trainers (and for those who dont want to YouTube every move!). Adon is made up of Biomedical Engineering students Vladislav Mandzhiye and La Shawn Pearce, Mechanical Engineering students Mohammad Bari and Darren Lin, and Computer Engineering student Krushang Shah.
Dont miss these startups and more at their Demo Day on Monday, May 6th outside of the NAC from 12pm-2pm!