Entrepreneurial Researchers Present Their Novel Projects at the Spring Rainforest Accelerator Final Session

On March 24, seven teams of entrepreneurial researchers presented their innovative projects during the final session of the Spring Rainforest Accelerator.

The Rainforest Accelerator Program, administered by UNM Rainforest Innovations, supports teams of University of New Mexico faculty and/or post-doctoral or graduate students to go outside of their laboratories and into the marketplace where they can learn first-hand about entrepreneurship. They are also encouraged to explore and validate the commercial landscape surrounding their innovation with the support of $3,000 to fund their market discovery efforts and proof-of-concept prototyping.

The outcomes of program projects include a recommendation based on an assessment of the viability of the overall business model and substantial first-hand evidence for or against product-market fit, with a definition of the customer segments and corresponding value propositions.

Projects developed during the spring cohort included:

• XafetyKar – an automated human or pet detection system inside a vehicle
• Antibacterial Deep Wound Healing Medical Patch – an antimicrobial, deep wound healing medical patch designed to have strong antimicrobial properties and promote faster wound healing
• Smartfacturing – developing methods to enhance the productivity and reduce the downtime of equipment by using sensors to gather and interpret data
• Maynes – Universal Hand-Gesture Robotics Software
• CHTM EMI Shields – a multifunctional device that blocks radiofrequency (RF) waves and detects infrared (IR) radiation
• RxEd – a patient medical education software program used to provide patient medical education on demand
• Sandia Data Technologies – a software that utilizes user uploaded information, database listings and matchmaking algorithms to facilitate trade between businesses