UMASS Lowell Research Institute’s Northstar Campus Awards Three $20K Grants at the 135th Mass Innovation Nights
On Thursday, May 20, 2021 Mass Innovation Nights (MIN), the Boston region’s leading new product showcase, hosted the finalists from the UMass Lowell Research Institute’s Northstar Campus’ $20,000 award. During the virtual event, three local companies each received $20,000 to fund commercialization of their respective dual-use technologies. Dual-use products are those with both military and civilian applications.
Stacy Swider, director of the SBIR Center of Excellence at the UMLRI/Northstar Campus, said 23 companies applied for the program. A team of independent judges picked five semi-finalists and selected three winners after pitches at the event. The semi-finalist companies and their respective presenters included:
- Marcie Blank, CEO and co-founder, Advanced Silicon Group
- Jeffrey McChesney, CEO and founder, TargetArm
- Prof, Tommaso Melodia, Co-founder and president, Bionet Sonar
- Dogan Atlas, senior director, Optical Communications, Analog Photonics
- Eleanor Mitch, CEO and co-founder, 14bis Supply Tracking
The winners of the three $20,000 grants were:
- 14Bis Supply Tracking
- Bionet Sonar
- Analog Photonics
In addition to the presentations, Swider interviewed Dr. Jagadeesh Pamulapati, the Acting Deputy Director for Research, Technology and Laboratories (RT&L) in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) at the Pentagon. And she spoke with Rich Julien, head of AWS Public Sector Ventures and Startups. Both speakers provided insight on the Department of Defense’s areas of interest in emerging tech areas, how startups could most effectively work with the DOD, and how to prepare for success and deployment. The keynote was followed by 2-minute pitches from each of the semifinalists, networking, and the announcement of the winners.
See the semifinalist’s pitches –
14Bis Supply Tracking – Supply Chain
Analog Photonics – Silicon Photonics
Target Arm – sUAS Capture
Advance Silicon Group – Protein Assay on Chip