USTAR’s Governing Authority approved grant funding for 14 Utah companies through the Technology Acceleration Program (TAP).
Companies represent Box Elder, Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, and Wasatch counties, and feature several industry sectors including Aerospace, Automation and Robotics, Big Data, Energy, and Life Science.
“We received many strong proposals and recognize the competitiveness of this funding,” said Ivy Estabrooke, Ph.D., executive director of USTAR. “This group represents the top projects in this round as evaluated by expert panels.”
TAP provides competitive grants to allow companies to compete for private capital, with the ultimate objective of spurring positive economic impact to the state through an increased tax base and creation of high-paying jobs.
TAP companies approved for funding will now go through the contracting phase, with final awards, pending contract negotiation, expected in early 2018.
The companies include:
Accubreath (Salt Lake City) is developing an easy-to-use noninvasive ventilator apparatus that will provide gentle respiratory support to reduce airway obstruction when a patient is sedated for medical procedures. In addition to ease and simplicity of use, the company plans to include a suite of monitoring features to enhance accuracy and positive outcomes.
Conductive Composites (Heber City) is tackling cyber security through development of plastic injection molded cases integrated with electromagnetic shielding technology. The approach is intended to create a physical barrier to protect data storage systems to threats from wireless and cellular signals. The company has successfully raised private and defense funding.
Coreform (Orem) develops high-end simulation tools for aerospace, automotive, and other engineering disciplines, and has several strategic partnerships in place. The company’s computer aided engineering technology is used to simulate performance before a product goes into production to improve product designs or identify engineering problems for a wide range of industries.
EDX Magnetics (Salt Lake City), with licensed technology from the University of Utah, is addressing needs in the recycled metals sorting industry. The company’s technology sorts non-iron metals and aluminum alloys from recycled materials through an innovative and cost effective process.
Esplin Organic Solutions (Cottonwood Heights) is developing a non-toxic, non-pesticide alternative to treat a devastating infection that attacks honey bee broods. The beekeeping industry is a global market of 92.5 million hives and is the single source of pollination for the world’s fruits and flowers.
Go Composites (Brigham City) is working on clean, low-energy manufacturing of advanced composite materials with applications to the aerospace, energy and industrial markets. The company has an experienced management team with established relationships with industry partners and customers.
Life-E (Sandy), a woman-owned business with technology licensed from the University of Utah, has developed an electrothermal coating that can be used to rapidly dissipate heat. The company has strategic partnerships with the U.S. Army and a large corporation.
Optisys (West Jordan) uses metal 3D printing to create integrated, light weight antennas and radio wave dependent components. As an antenna design company, Optisys is working to reduce system weight to improve system performance. The company is disrupting the antenna market with light and small high performance antennas.
Progenitor Life Sciences (Salt Lake City), a University of Utah spinout, is developing genetic and cellular tools for immune oncology therapy utilizing a universal “off-the-shelf” model. The company will compete in a growing market with innovative therapies that offer precision approaches to treat cancers.
Reflodx (Clearfield), a biotech startup company, is developing a non-invasive device to characterize gastroesophageal reflux for the nearly 64 million individuals in the US that suffer from the condition.
Rosivo (South Salt Lake) is working on a patent pending trachea repair implant. The company has strategic partnerships with Community Tissue Services and a children’s hospital.
Scribe Data Science (Salt Lake City) is developing a powerful and flexible microprocessor based datalogging device to address data acquisition to fit a wide array of industries and provide effective and modern approaches. The technology is targeted to the scientific, industrial and infrastructure data collection markets.
SmartVision Works (Orem), with licensed technology from Brigham Young University, serves the automatic visual inspection and factory automation industries. The TAP funded project will develop an invasive fish species recognition and removal system to protect Utah’s rivers from species that overrun Utah native fish.
Spectra Symbol (Salt Lake City) is developing smart cover sensor technology for protecting and monitoring critical electrical connection points in substations for utilities, which often develop loose connection points that heat up and destroy expensive equipment. The company is also targeting applications in the medical device, automotive, aerospace, IoT, and industrial environments.
