by Katie Calabro | Oct 2, 2022
AtomICs is a molecular data storage and computing startup that stores digital data in small molecules to offer denser, more sustainable, and more durable data storage than transistors. Through denser, more sustainable DNA data storage, they seek to revolutionize the way digital data is stored through small molecules.
AtomICs was founded by Dana Biechele-Speziale PhD ‘24, Selahaddin Gumus PhD ‘24 and professors Brenda Rubenstein and Jacob Rosenstein. It was the winner of the 2022 Brown Venture Prize, and was the first first PhD student and faculty team to win the prize. Read AtomICs’ profile in the Brown Daily Herald here. AtomICs was also a finalist in the Rhode Island Business Competition, and is currently in the 2022 MassChallenge US early-stage cohort.
Photo Credit: Nelson Center for Entrepreneurship
by Jonas Clark | Sep 28, 2022
Founded in 2019, Bolden Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing first-in-class therapeutics to treat central nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer’s and ischemic stroke. Their technology focuses on a key molecular pathway that stimulates neurogenesis (the birth of new neurons) in the adult brain–one that has demonstrated proof of concept in mouse models.
This 2021 Brown Venture Prize Finalist was co-founded by Johnny Page, ’24, Justin Fallon, Professor of Neuroscience, and Ashley Webb, Assistant Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology. The company received a $500,000 Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant from the National Institute on Aging in 2021.
Photo Credit: Justin Fallon, Ashley Webb, and Johnny Page
by Jonas Clark | Sep 21, 2022
Formally, originally a hackathon project, is legal collaboration company seeking to simplify legal processes and increase access to justice. Rather than deal with convoluted paperwork trails and complications, Formally allows users to easily hire and work with attorneys. Utilizing AI, Formally has served thousands of asylum seekers. In addition, they aid international founders in applying for visas to begin building their companies in the US. Formally’s innovative software has been celebrated for its accessibility, security, and thoughtful data privacy practices. The platform was founded by Amélie-Sophie Vavrovsky, ’18, who was inspired by her own immigration struggles. Formally took first place at Brown Venture Prize in 2019.
The platform announced in 2022 that it had raised a $2.3 million pre-seed round of funding led by Bessemer Venture Partners with participation from BBG Ventures, Unshackled Ventures, Ulu Ventures, Graph Ventures, Dorm Room Fund, and prominent angels including Kiwi Camara, CEO at legal tech giant DISCO. Read their Business Insider Profile here.
Photo Credit:Amélie-Sophie Vavrovsky
by Jonas Clark | Sep 20, 2022
goTeff is a snack brand powered by Ethiopian super-grain teff. The versatile snack can be enjoyed as a straight-from-the-bag snack, or as a cereal, yoghurt topper, or as a crouton alternative for salads. Products are gluten, nut, and dairy free. The startup was profiled by Boston Globe.
Additionally, goTeff works directly with Ethiopian farmers to bolster their trade. Currently, goTeff is partners with Girls Gotta Run, an organization dedicated to helping girls stay in school. goTeff, a 2019 BVP Second Place winner, was founded by Saron Mechale, ‘19.
Photo Credit: Saron Mechale
by Jonas Clark | Sep 19, 2022
Tracking down lead pipes in the U.S. is an extremely timely and expensive task. In fact, there is still relatively little data on the location of lead pipes across the country. H2OK Innovations is an IoT-enabled analytics platform providing data-driven optimization of industrial liquid systems for manufacturing. In other words, the contaminant management platform that helps industrial and manufacturing businesses optimize water usage and treatment through predictive diagnostics.
H2OK Innovations, a Brown Venture Prize Finalist, was co-founded by David Lu, ’20. Lu was a part of BrownEP and Startup@Brown. The firm was recently named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for Manufacturing & Industry. Customers include Cargill, Unilever, Coca-Cola, Ecolab and the Dairy Farmers of America.
Photo Credit: David Lu
