The Iowa Economic Development Authority board on Sept. 19 approved awards for startups in Coralville, Iowa City and Waukee. The board also approved assistance from Iowa’s State Small Business Credit Initiative Innovation Fund for one startup in Iowa City.
Awards made to three startups
Building on 40 years of neuroscience research, Coralville’s NeuroPed Inc. developed its initial product for post-stroke management and diagnosis support. Its technology platform, a Software as a Medical Device that is integrated with electronic health records, will help predict cognitive and behavioral outcomes from localized brain damage so clinicians can design targeted rehabilitation plans and make evidence-based decisions. The company was awarded a $50,000 Proof of Commercial Relevance loan for IP development and evaluation, key personnel, proof of concept work, product refinement and market planning and entry activities.
Harvest Increase Agriculture Inc., headquartered in Iowa City, created a fertilizer additive, SUPRGrow, that boosts corn and soybean yields. The sulfide-based seed treatment aims to be a cost-effective solution to enhance plant growth. The company was awarded a $100,000 Demonstration Fund loan for proof of concept work, key personnel and market planning and entry activities.
Waukee-based medtech company Pathware Inc. is developing an AI-driven computational microscopy platform that aims to improve lung cancer biopsy procedures by providing rapid sample feedback to clinicians at the point of care. After submitting and earning clearance by the FDA, Pathware intends to expand the technology to include lymph node, thyroid, breast, prostate, gastrointestinal and additional tissue indications. The company was awarded a $500,000 Innovation Acceleration Propel Fund loan to build space for production and clinical testing.
Award recommendations for these funds are made by the Technology Commercialization Committee to the IEDA board for approval.
SSBCI funding awarded to Iowa City startup
Iowa City’s Inseer Inc. leverages a proprietary AI computer vision system to enhance workplace safety, improve ergonomics and boost productivity in manufacturing environments. Through a short video that captures and analyzes movement data, employees can quickly receive risk assessment solutions and objectively offer any safety corrections. The company was awarded a $500,000 Innovation Acceleration Propel Fund loan for key personnel.
Award recommendations for the SSBCI Innovation Fund assistance are made by the SSBCI Review Committee to the IEDA director for approval. The committee met on Sept. 16 to review eligible applications.
