Portfolio Companies
JumpStart's portfolio companies have navigated through the JumpStart application and due diligence process and emerged with investments. JumpStart is proud to have invested in them and partner with them to add value along their path to growth.
AcelleRX Therapeutics
AcelleRX Therapeutics is a Cleveland Clinic spin-off company developing novel regenerative therapies for cardiovascular disease. Several studies have demonstrated that the company’s lead product, Stromal Derived Factor-1 (SDF-1) significantly increases cardiac function through promoting cell survival and revascularization after a heart attack. AcelleRX’s first generation SDF-1 platform is based on engineering cellular therapies currently in clinical trials to deliver SDF-1 to damaged heart tissue. Through a strategic partnership, AcelleRX anticipates advancing this platform to a Phase 1 Clinical Trial in 2008. Recent data also suggests that SDF-1 can also be delivered through non-cell based delivery methods providing a cheaper, logistically more manageable second-generation alternative to current cell therapy initiatives.
AMTI
Advanced Materials Technology International LLC (AMTI) is developing and commercializing a line of high-tech, energy-curable, nanoparticle dispersions and coatings. AMTI’s method of producing smaller particles (nanoparticles) and evenly suspending them in liquid medium results in improved color quality, easier application, and improved durability. AMTI produces a solvent-free and energy curable product, which significantly reduces ink and coating drying time and the space requirements needed for air drying large pieces. This unique process addresses environmental concerns, provides superior durability, and can be applied more effectively than standard application methods.
AnalizaDx, LLC is a Cleveland-based cancer diagnostics company that has developed a proprietary platform technology to improve cancer detection, diagnosis, progression, and prognosis. A newly formed spin-off company from Analiza, Inc., AnalizaDx’s cancer detection technology differs from conventional biomarker technologies that measure the amount of a disease-related protein, as it identifies biomarkers based on changes in their structure. Significant advantages of this type of detection include the use of readily available biological fluids, insensitivity to the significant variations in the absolute amount of biomarkers that naturally occur from patient to patient, and the ability to make screening and diagnosis affordable by utilizing existing, standard lab equipment. The company’s initial work will focus on ovarian, breast, and prostate cancers.
Aria Analytics is commercializing a novel platform analytical technology used to characterize liquids in industry and medical testing. This technology lowers both capital and operating costs per test. Prior to the availability of the Aria technology it was necessary to run a battery of tests on multiple laboratory instruments to obtain a profile of a specific sample. The Aria technology differentiates liquids by providing a unique acoustic signature during the drying process of the sample. Aria’s mission is to provide sound analysis for industry and healthcare.
Ayalogic develops software products that help today’s businesses increase the effectiveness of their communications while driving down costs. Ayalogic’s flagship software product, Qmunicate™, provides a vehicle for more efficient communication of data, text and voice across a multitude of devices (PC, Mobile, PDA and Telephone). The ability to visualize all incoming communications gives the user the power to choose who to respond to, what medium they respond with (voice, data, text) and what device they'll use. The result is a significant increase in productivity, better business relationships, and an overall decrease in communication costs. Ayalogic is uniquely positioned to market to a wide range of industries and make a major impact on the way that people communicate.
Banyan Technology provides small and mid-market businesses with real time control over their freight costs. The $65 billion Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) segment is entrenched in industry averages, gross assumptions, and 20-year-old technology standards. Banyan establishes a real time communication enabling manufacturers and distributors to communicate with all their carriers through a single web based interface. Banyan’s services are accessed from any internet connection. Clients may integrate directly to other business systems to create faster cash conversion cycles, reduce administrative overhead, and establish powerful business intelligence.
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the US. CardioInsight Technologies is commercializing a breakthrough technology that will significantly improve the diagnosis and treatment of a number of critical heart conditions. For example, this new patient information will help in diagnosing and treating electrical abnormalities of the heart like arrhythmias and improve the delivery of electrically based cardiac therapies like cardiac resynchronization therapy. The Company’s patented technology combines body surface electrical data with detailed anatomical data from chest CT scans to non-invasively map electrical activity for the entire heart, beat by beat. CardioInsight’s non-invasive electrocardiographic imaging technology provides significantly more information than body surface electrocardiograms. Today, this data can only be provided by invasive catheter-based electrophysiology mapping. A prototype has been developed and proof of concept has been demonstrated in animal studies and 30 human subjects. CardioInsight is currently pursuing additional clinical studies with a more advanced prototype.
ComSense manufactures innovative high temperature pressure sensors that enable more precise control of diesel, gasoline and turbine engines in harsh environments. The sensors, made from a unique “shape memory alloy” are placed in each engine cylinder and provide instantaneous feedback to engine control systems by directly sensing the combustion process inside each cylinder. The result is improved fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, improved on-board diagnostic capability, and elimination of one or more sensors in existing engine control systems. The company’s product has a much higher sensitivity level (two to three times) than the closest competitor and is lower cost.
Contained Energy
Contained Energy is developing direct carbon fuel cells (DCFC) – fuel cells that use carbon rather than hydrogen as fuel. DCFCs rely on readily available carbon fuels, generate distributed power that will be cost competitive with the grid, and realize considerable environmental benefits relative to current combustion technologies. Early products will provide breakthrough energy density for mobile applications. Contained Energy will shortly transfer its technology to Cleveland, where it will develop its products at the Wright Fuel Cell Group’s facilities.
Day-Day, Ltd
Day-Day, Ltd. offers in-store merchandising services and programs for urban consumers and retailers. Compared to their suburban and rural peers, urban consumers receive fewer coupons and use them even less frequently. CoupAd’s innovative couponing services enable manufacturers to generate incremental sales within this difficult-to-reach “price-sensitive urban shopper” segment. Additionally, CoupAd has developed a patent-pending approach to couponing that delivers coupons in unique ways, such as in tandem with games of chance and with government-subsidized grocery debit cards.
Delta Plant Technologies, located in Akron, Ohio, is developing and commercializing an alternative source of rubber for the $10B natural rubber market. Today, the world’s only commercial source of natural rubber comes exclusively from Southeast Asia. The need for an alternative to the natural rubber supply is compelling: experts forecast a 15% natural rubber shortage by the end of the decade. As a natural rubber substitute, synthetic rubber is often not appropriate, and so finding new natural sources of rubber is critical. Delta Plant Technologies will also produce ethanol, a critical alternative fuel source, from the liquid byproduct stream of its alternative source of natural rubber.
Embrace Pet Insurance is a direct-to-consumer provider of pet health insurance policies. The company has developed proprietary veterinary actuarial tables and established a highly customizable menu of insurance options. The U.S. market for pet insurance, which allows pet owners to avoid catastrophic healthcare costs for their pets, doubled from $61 million in 2001 to $120 million in 2003, and is expected to grow to $500 million by 2008.
FLX Micro manufactures silicon carbide-based pressure sensors designed to work in harsh (i.e. corrosive and/or very high temperature) environments. FLX sensors are expected to enable more precise engine control. The initial target markets for FLX are diesel engines and industrial process monitoring, to be followed by turbine engines and then gasoline engines. The sensor is made from a unique silicon carbide (SiC) material, which allows it to be placed directly inside the engine cylinder. The sensors will provide instantaneous feedback to engine control systems by directly sensing the combustion process. The result is expected to be improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
Great Lakes Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical stage company focused on developing and commercializing products that prevent infections associated with indwelling catheters. Their first product, B-Lock™, is an anti-coagulant catheter lock solution that works against the bacterial and fungal microorganisms known to form biofilm structures in catheters. Biofilm related infections are the 8th leading cause of death in the U.S. Headquartered in Concord, OH with offices in San Diego, CA, Great Lakes Pharmaceuticals assembled team of experienced and distinguished scientists, clinicians and managers to assure development leading to commercialization of innovative, effective treatment of microbial infections in clinical and in outpatient settings.
HF Food Technologies (formerly Heritage Fare) develops, manufactures and markets innovative food technologies that enhance food flavor while minimizing fat content. Because today’s consumer has growing diet and health awareness but an unwillingness to compromise on taste, the demand for nutritional enhancement products has ballooned into a high-growth $300 million market. HF Food Technologies' flagship product, a nutritional fat replacement and flavor enhancement product called Nutrigras™, is a food technology breakthrough that is poised to dominate this market. Nutrigras enables one-to-one replacement of animal fat in beef, pork, and other food products. It has demonstrated in tests that it increases a food’s yield (less cook-off) as well as its tenderness and flavor. The result is a solution that hits all the bases: lower production costs, improved taste and lower fat content. A leader in the food technology industry, HF Food Technologies has licensed the rights to the USDA-developed food technology called Fantesk™. The patented Fantesk™ process is the core technology that uniquely enables Nutrigras to carry flavor through its oil phase.
InSeT Systems LLC
InSeT Systems LLC is dedicated to commercializing an inertial tracking system for underground mines. The patented system will provide a number of operational improvements that allow it to pay for itself while meeting the requirements of the Federal MINER Act of 2006. The inertial devices have numerous other applications for mapping and tracking that will be pursued after the underground mining market segment has been addressed. InSeT’s system is superior to competing systems currently in use, which are based on RFID technology and are accurate to within 500 to 1,500 feet. The InSeT Systems device communicates a precise location several times per second and is accurate within a radius of 10 feet. This precision is fundamental to InSeT’s mission, which is to help underground miners go home safely to their families each night.
Inspiron Logistics develops and sells a proprietary Wireless Emergency Notification System (“WENS”). WENS provides educational institutions, governments and corporations with the ability to send high priority, high speed and high reliability emergency notifications to customized select groups of people. WENS technology has been proven in the field. It is already supporting numerous customers including the University of Minnesota, Florida State University and Miami/Dade County. Unlike most of its competitors, WENS delivers pure SMS (short message system) messages to any mobile device (cell phones, pagers, PDA’s, etc). Furthermore, Inspiron Logistics is a step ahead of the competition with patent pending technology processes and unique priority agreements with all major North American wireless carriers. This exclusive priority means text messages get through even when carrier systems are overloaded, as they likely are during emergencies. Emergencies such as the Virginia Tech shooting, the I35W bridge collapse in Minnesota and hurricane Katrina have dramatically increased the public’s urgency for such notification systems and have accelerated the market opportunity. Universities, governments and corporations are aggressively adding text messaging to the way they manage crises. They all see the growing need for faster, more comprehensive communications during major crises. This has created an urgent demand swell for the WENS technology.
Knotice is an enterprise software firm that delivers personal relevance marketing solutions to corporations for superior communication with customers. Knotice recently launched its breakthrough product Concentri, which takes Personal Relevance Marketing to new levels by enabling companies to personalize their communications with their customers. Because today’s consumers typically eliminate or avoid impersonal digital messaging, marketers must make progress in customizing and coordinating their marketing campaigns. Yet, the vast majority of today’s marketing programs are hardly coordinated: from the same company, a consumer might get one marketing message via e-mail, a different one via mobile phone, and still a different one when they log onto the company’s web site. Concentri solves this whole mess, personalizes the message, and, to top it all off, is simple for a company’s marketing department to use. In summary, for companies that target consumers, Concentri drives revenue, reduces internal costs and improves customer loyalty. The Personal Relevance Marketing market is growing rapidly as companies seek to improve their marketing relevance in the increasingly cluttered world of digital content. In 2005, only 11% of firms using on-line marketing employed solutions that delivered highly customized content, and this is expected to grow to 55% in 2010.
Knowledge Sphere (dba Inspherion) is a business intelligence software company that uses proprietary database search and analytical tools to help R&D intensive companies enhance their strategic planning processes. Knowledge Sphere’s business model is based on a powerful premise: the U.S. Patent Office database is the world’s most powerful resource for R&D intelligence, yet few companies tap its potential because its content is so vast and highly technical. Knowledge Sphere’s proprietary approach unlocks this resource by identifying, analyzing and reporting on highly relevant competitive activity - completing in a matter weeks what would take most companies over a year to assess.
MAR Systems provides proprietary processes for the removal of metal contaminants from water and industrial fluid waste streams through the use of recycled alumina catalysts - transforming waste alumina catalysts into a major contributor for improving our environment. The patented process, jointly developed with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, offers a low cost, state-of-the-art method for meeting the newly applied, more stringent U.S. drinking water standards for arsenic and for dealing with emerging, international water quality problems. The global market for the removal of arsenic from drinking water is projected to exceed $30B. In addition, the proprietary technology shows promise in removing metal contaminants from gaseous streams, including coal-fired electrical generators and industrial incinerators. This process can lead to the reduction in emissions of mercury to the environment (a major contributor to contamination of fresh water aquatic life) – which generates $8B additional market potential. MAR Systems is a spin-off of Cleveland-based, minority owned Metaloy, the global leader in providing innovation, alternate markets, and leading edge technologies for recycling in the international energy and chemical industries.
PreEmptive Solutions, Inc. is a developer of software "obfuscation" and size reduction products designed to help businesses secure their intellectual property assets. In essence, PreEmptive's products allow developers of software to disguise the product's code, eliminating the possibility of "reverse engineering," a process by which unprotected software can be pirated. PreEmptive already has over 2,000 customers for its software products, and is expanding by introducing new products for the rapidly growing $5 billion software management market.
ReXorce Thermionics, Inc.
ReXorce Thermionics, Inc. develops and manufactures the Thermafficient™ thermal engine, which recovers thermal energy from a wide variety of thermal sources that are transformed into useable electricity, cooling, and heating. Thermafficient is a patented system that utilizes supercritical carbon dioxide “CO2” and other working fluids to create a power generating cycle in applications as broad as bottom cycling in power plants, industrial waste heat, solar thermal, geothermal, and alternatives to the Internal Combustion Engine.
RSP Tooling has commercialized a process for manufacturing dies and molds by spraying atomized molten tool steel onto a ceramic negative. This patented process reduces production lead times and produces tools that are significantly stronger, resulting in increased tool life compared to tools produced with conventional subtractive methods. The Rapid Solidification Process (RSP) technology, which was developed at the U.S. Department of Energy, is currently being used to manufacture production and prototype tools for the forging, die casting, and plastic injection industries and for both domestic and foreign markets. Other applications in development include bimetallic (steel/copper) tools, which increase cycle time in die casting and plastic injection operations by 35 percent.
Stanton Advanced Ceramics ("Stanton") develops, produces, and markets leading refractory technologies for global molten processing companies. The company’s patented FireSlayerTM ceramic technology is a breakthrough advance that operates in the highest temperature, most severe thermal-cycle, and highest-corrosion refractory environments in existence (specifically, the metals, glass, coke, power generation, and concrete industries). The FireSlayer solution also saves companies money: compared to traditional ceramic materials, FireSlayer’s next generation ceramic material offers dramatic cost savings in the form of:
1) Significantly extended furnace life cycles
2) Reduced energy loss over the life of the furnace, and
3) Reduced furnace maintenance time and expense
Stanton has developed FireSlayer over many years and, with its product advances and focus on providing solutions that immediately increase its customers’ bottom-line, is among the most innovative companies operating in the advanced materials market today. Stanton is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, and its team consists of individuals who have developed market-leading technologies as well as led high-growth businesses in a variety of molten processing industries.
Synapse Biomedical, a northeast Ohio based medical device company focused on the development and commercialization of minimally invasive neurostimulation technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative impairments. Compared to traditional surgeries and devices, the company’s minimally invasive surgical interventions and respiratory assist procedures reduce risks to both patients and surgeons and are performed at substantially lower cost.
The U.S. market for medical imaging exceeds 400 million procedures per year and is growing at six percent annually. Because of this growth, many medical imaging providers cannot attract enough radiologists nor can they afford to hire subspecialty radiologists for the wide variety of imaging procedures they need to conduct. Telerad Express solves these problems by providing remote daytime radiology interpretations, performed within rapid turnaround times, by highly specialized radiologists. Through proprietary processes and customized technology, Telerad Express provides a “virtual” business model that allows its qualified team of certified radiologists to serve imaging centers, small hospitals, and medical practices nationwide. Telerad Express' management team has extensive expertise in deploying medical technology nationwide and in growing large-scale service businesses.
VeriShot (formerly known as Charitee) is a leading provider of automated hole-in-one systems for golf courses. The VeriShot System uses a unique combination of solar powered and wireless technology so that the golf course can offer hole-in-one, closest-to-the-pin, and other contests to every golfer, every round resulting in additional excitement and increased volume and profits with no up-front or ongoing costs. After two years of pilot testing, VeriShot is rolling out systems across the United States.