MATTER startup shoutouts: Summer 2023

Every day, innovators across the MATTER community are building new solutions that accelerate innovation, advance care and improve lives. Over the last three months, MATTER startups won innovation competitions, fostered impactful partnerships and much more.

There’s no shortage of good news to celebrate in the MATTER community. Learn more about our community’s impressive accomplishments below.

Four MATTER members won competitions or received strategic investments.

Embr Labs raised $35M to fuel their consumer growth strategy.

Embr Labs secured $35 million in IP-based debt financing to expand their retail presence and global reach. The funding, led by GT Investment Partners and Aon, will fuel the company’s growth strategy as it revolutionizes menopause symptom management. Embr Labs’ product, the Embr Wave® wristband, provides immediate relief from hot flashes and improves sleep quality using patented technology.

Zuri Fertility won $30K at the Northwestern Kellogg Healthcare Entrepreneurship Business Plan Competition.

Zuri Fertility won the 2023 Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management’s Healthcare Entrepreneurship Business Plan Competition. They secured first place and $30,000 in non-dilutive capital for their innovative solution addressing infertility. Zuri is currently preparing to release premium features on their app, revolutionizing how couples approach their fertility journey.

Carium won the Patient Experience Innovation Award at MedTech Breakthrough Awards.

Carium, a leading care experience platform, won the Patient Experience Innovation Award at the prestigious MedTech Breakthrough Awards program. Carium’s advanced virtual care technology offers a comprehensive care management ecosystem that enables care teams to engage patients actively, optimize workflows and provide personalized care at scale.

Aruna Revolution Health received a $40K grant from Invest Nova Scotia.

Aruna Revolution Health, a company working on the development of plastic-free and compostable menstrual pads, was selected for Invest Nova Scotia’s 2023 GreenShoots cohort and received $40,000 in funding. Aruna will use the funds and receive mentorship to continue to develop their product.

MATTER startups secured impactful partnerships to help expand and scale their businesses.

NovaScan partnered with PHC to explore the detection of non-melanoma skin cancers.

NovaScan partnered with PHC to explore the feasibility of NovaScan’s medical device, MarginScan. This collaboration aims to detect non-melanoma skin cancers in real time and improve outcomes for patients and clinicians. The partnership combines PHC’s expertise in medical device development and manufacturing with NovaScan’s advanced technology, creating the potential for MarginScan to become a standard tool for common cancers globally.

MouthWatch partnered with Armor Dental to provide a clearer view of the patient’s mouth during dental exams.

MouthWatch, a leader in teledentistry and intraoral imaging, partnered with Armor Dental to offer Comfort Soft, a dual-purpose soft tissue retractor, as an accessory for MouthWatch’s intraoral cameras and teledentistry solutions. The combination of MouthWatch’s technology with Comfort Soft improves visibility during dental exams and enhances at-home oral hygiene.

Three MATTER startups reached key milestones to advance their businesses.

OpenLoop Health acquired Imaging Panda to expand image ordering and results.

​​OpenLoop, a leader in telehealth support services, acquired Imaging Panda to add their diagnostic imaging support service to their offerings. This expansion aligns with OpenLoop’s mission of enabling convenient access to quality care nationwide and solidifies their position as a national leader in telehealth delivery. OpenLoop clients can now easily order various imaging services through a user-friendly portal, streamlining the process and improving patient outcomes.

DirectSync Surgical received a Breakthrough Device Designation from the FDA.

DirectSync Surgical’s patient-powered, smart spinal fusion device received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation. The device offers localized electrical stimulation and post-operative diagnostics, improving outcomes for people who’ve received spinal fusion. This designation expedites the development and review process for medical devices addressing serious conditions.

Hubly Surgical received FDA clearance for their cranial drill, transforming bedside neurosurgery.

Hubly Surgical received FDA clearance for the Hubly Drill, the first single-use cranial drill offering advanced safety features. The Hubly Drill is designed to reduce complications and operating room dependence through its unique features for safety, efficiency and value.

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