Tucson Startup Developing Transformational Ultrasound Device Gets Huge Support from National Science Foundation
Tech Parks Arizona and The University of Arizona (UA) Center for Innovation are pleased to announce that Emagine Solutions Technology recently completed the national NSF Innovation Corps (I-Corps™) Teams program.
Emagine Solutions Technology, a digital health company, is commercializing its proprietary VistaScan software which transforms a doctor's mobile device into an ultrasound machine. Unlike traditional bulky cart ultrasound machines, VistaScan fits in the palm of a doctor’s hand, is easy to use to make quick observations and diagnoses ten times less expensive than a regular machine.
After completing a training program in the San Francisco Bay Area, the team went on to complete over 100 interviews of clinicians and ultrasound experts over the course of several weeks before presenting final results to the National Science Foundation (NSF).
The NSF I-Corps program prepares scientists and engineers to extend their focus beyond the laboratory and accelerates the economic and societal benefits of NSF-funded, basic-research projects that are ready to move toward commercialization. Through I-Corps, NSF grantees learn to identify valuable product opportunities and gain skills in entrepreneurship through training in customer discovery and guidance from established entrepreneurs. This locally delivered training prepares the team for the national program and provides a $3,000 grant for customer discovery. The national program provides a $50,000 grant to continue the process and advance the startup.
Emagine is developing their technology with business incubation assistance from the UA Center for Innovation which promotes technology development and works with startup companies to provide the expertise and resources in their pursuit of funding, including the SBIR/STTR funding pathway. The UA Center for Innovation has worked closely with the founders of Emagine, Courtney Williams and Jose Juarez to guide the company systematically through a business growth path to attract grant funding and investments, support building a team and a customer base and work through prototypes and market entry strategies to ultimately establish their new product in the marketplace.
Non-university startup companies like Emagine who work with the UA Center for Innovation can directly benefit from the University of Arizona’s resources. Emagine took advantage of this opportunity and started going through the NSF I-Corps Site program administered by Tech Launch Arizona. Tech Launch Arizona facilitates the program in alignment with its mission to commercialize inventions stemming from university research.
The UA Center for Innovation serves both University of Arizona faculty, researchers, and students as well as community entrepreneurs using a disciplined approach of customized programs and one-on-one support to guide companies to the next level of success. Startup founders work with UA Center for Innovation to develop and execute a successful business strategy, receive mentorship from successful entrepreneurs, take a product from idea to market all the while connecting to the resources of the University of Arizona and the Tucson community. Client companies also have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment so that they can focus on developing the company.
“The NSF I-Corps program was instrumental for us. Not only did we receive world class training from the National Science Foundation program leaders, but we also gleaned an amazing amount of insights by interviewing over 100 clinicians over a six-week period. We couldn’t have completed the program without the support of the University of Arizona Center for Innovation, specifically the guidance provided by the director, step-by-step instruction from the mentor-in-residence as well as the support and submission information received on the administrative side to navigate serving both the NSF and University of Arizona in this research effort,” stated Courtney Williams, co-founder of Emagine.
The University of Arizona Center for Innovation is the business incubator located at the UA Tech Park and a program of Tech Parks Arizona. Tech Parks Arizona creates an environment and set of programs that add value to the efforts of both the companies and the University of Arizona. It is a place that attracts technology companies – whether they’re startups or mature companies – and brings them into a location that gets them connected to the university. That connection can provide companies access to faculty and relevant research, access to a workforce in the form of work-ready graduates, and access to essential lab and production space. Tech Parks Arizona can provide assistance in the entire process of moving technologies through the early stages of product development, prototyping and first-generation manufacturing, then providing market access assistance as well.
Watch video to preview VistaScan https://youtu.be/GLnRN0DZDB0
