The 2013 Lineup!
DermTech
DermTech is a San Diego-based molecular diagnostics company preparing to commercialize MelDTect™, a novel non-invasive diagnostic assay for melanoma detection. The Company’s Epidermal Genetic Information Retrieval (EGIR®) technology utilizes a custom tape strip to harvest cells from the surface of melanocytic lesions (moles) and a molecular laboratory-developed assay that identifies RNA expression consistent with the presence of melanoma. DermTech has conducted several clinical studies that demonstrate exceptionally high sensitivity and specificity. These studies identify the potential of MelDTect to become the most accurate method available for detecting melanoma without the need for a surgical biopsy.
JET Surgical, Inc.
JET Surgical is a San Diego, CA based private regenerative medicine company that is developing a novel and proprietary product that will both improve the safety and recovery time of corneal wound healing in laser vision correction, especially for older cataract patients receiving premium IOL’s. By combining a modified collagen-coated contact lens with a layer of live cultured skin cells, the JET Lens device acts as a postoperative tissue transplant “bandage” in PRK. This device promotes more rapid recovery (like a skin graft promotes wound healing), and thus may elevate JET Lens PRK to the preferred laser vision correction procedure, providing safety combined with rapid recovery. Currently, no corneal epithelial transplant therapy is commercially available in the USA or world-wide. The Company is seeking $2.5 million to construct a Master Cell Bank, file for IDE, and conduct a phase 1 clinical trial in the USA. An additional $15 million is budgeted for phase 2, phase 3, and BLA filing.
MetraLabs Automation, Inc.
MetraLabs specializes in the development of autonomous mobile service robots. In 2007, MetraLabs introduced the first interactive shopping robot for home improvement stores that autonomously guides customers to requested product locations. Since then, the company has sold more than 80 robots for professional applications. For example, MetraLabs’ autonomous robots transport used trays back to kitchens in fast food restaurants, handle material in industrial plants, monitor contamination’s in semiconductor clean rooms, or assist elderly people in their home. The successful application of these products results from a well-balanced combination of industrial quality and state-of-the-art robotics technology. The high reliability of these robots and the flexibility of the implemented navigation algorithms allow MetraLabs to create a new generation of automation products. As the first robotics company, MetraLabs’ robots are certified to fulfill all European requirements on interactive mobile robot systems autonomously operating in public areas. After launching robotic applications in several market segments within Europe, MetraLabs is now moving its headquarter to San Diego to be closer to customers, partners, and investors.
Nasseo, Inc.
Nasseo, Inc. is a medical device company that has developed a next generation dental and orthopedic implant surface modification technology to accelerate patient healing and clinician productivity. Nasseo’s first product is the TiArray™ dental implant system that integrates our proprietary surface modification technology to strengthen the bone-to-implant bond at the molecular level which is favorable for people with poor bone healing (e.g. smokers, diabetics) and also results in better outcomes for the general population. Nasseo offers dentists cost-effective, high quality, faster loading, and easy-to-use implants that significantly improve productivity and enable more immediate loading of the implants. Nasseo’s proprietary implant surface modification technology can be applied to a variety of materials (titanium, tantalum, polymers, PEEK, etc.) and applications (dental, spinal, trauma, joint, etc.). Nasseo is seeking a $3M+ Series A round by the summer of 2013 to increase manufacturing capability and to sell the TiArray™ system starting in early 2014 and is seeking strategic partners for the development of our platform technology in non-dental markets.
Soccerly
Soccerly.com was launched in January 2013 by a group of experienced soccer-digital entrepreneurs; we are building THE premier digital destination for U.S. fans. We not only report news, scores and analyses from ALL leagues, but also encourage fans to share their own insights and opinions through a proprietary and edgy publishing system. Soccer has been growing at an unprecedented pace; it’s the second most popular sport among the 12-24 age range and ranks number one for Hispanics. It’s a market of over 40 million fans that cannot find a site that serves their interest with a relevant content experience. The market is completely fragmented and major media outlets do not provide the adequate soccer coverage fans are shouting for. Soccerly is THE online site for core fans who want to be informed and entertained about not only their favorite teams and players, but all that is happening in the soccer world. We are bringing all that we love about soccer to one place and with World Cup in Brazil only a year away – Soccerly is in position to score!
Tellus Technology, Inc.
The parts are worth much more than the whole! Tellus up-cycles used tires, a global environmental hazard, into four commercially accepted commodities – IsoBlack™, renewable oil, fuel gas and steel. IsoBlack™ is a “drop-in” replacement for carbon black, a global top 10 chemical. Carbon black is a $25bn essential ingredient in the global rubber and plastic markets, used primarily as a reinforcing agent in rubber products and as a colorant in plastic applications. Tellus’ pilot and demo facility history has proven it is ready for commercialization. We co-generate nearly 200% of the energy required during our process, with excess BTUs available for sale. Tellus offers sustainability solutions for all segments of the rubber industry, reducing carbon footprint and providing a true ‘zero waste’ solution to used tires. $7+mm has been invested in Tellus and our predecessor entity. Stop landfilling or burning scrap tires! Up-cycle them and let’s re-consume these ‘un-natural’ resources.
Ten8Tech
Ten8Tech is dedicated to delivering innovative SaaS offers that dramatically improve police department productivity. The CASE SERVICE increases productivity of patrol staff while enhancing police services for citizens. The CASE SERVICE enables agencies to off-load minor incident reports that currently occupy more than 20% of a patrol officer’s day. Citizens are directly transferred by 911 operators into the “virtual investigator service,” which promptly helps them complete a report.
Tricopian, LLC
The U.S. market for single-use consumer batteries is estimated to be $4B to $5B in annual sales with a CAGR of 4-6%. The incumbents (e.g. Duracell, Energizer, Rayovac, etc.) have a combined market capitalization of over $15B. Tricopian, LLC (dba SaveME Batteries) has developed a patented, first-in-the-world, low-cost, high-performance, and eco-friendly business model based on the concept of Battery Exchange. This zero-waste, “virtual single-use” business model will enable us to transform and capture a lion’s share of this market, presenting an opportunity for us, our investors, and strategic partners to build a billion-dollar business in the process. Since the conception in 2010, the co-founders have raised $300K in cash to complete two iterations of product, equipment, and process development as well as market trials (e.g. Hampton Inn, UCLA, and Circle-K). We are now ready for market roll-out in the 1st quarter of 2013. To this end, we are seeking $1.2M funding—from investors and strategic partners preferably with well-established distribution and retail connections—to support market deployment in the San Diego and Los Angeles metropolitan areas over the 2013-2014 timeframe.
