Last week the Economic Development Department announced the recipients of the Science & Technology Business Start Up Grants. Three of the grants were awarded to UNM technology-based startup companies, including Avisa Diagnostics USA, Inc., Osazda Energy, and Pajarito Powder. These grants are available to New Mexico-based, for-profit science and technology companies in aerospace, biosciences, cybersecurity, intelligent manufacturing, and sustainable and green energy. There were 56 applicants for the grants and only five were selected.
Avisa Diagnostics USA – Avisa is a Santa Fe-based startup company that offers an innovative approach to treating lung infections with rapid diagnostics to guide better clinical outcomes. The company developed a rapid, 10-minute, point-of-care biomarker breath test for the detection and monitoring of bacterial pneumonia and other pulmonary infections. A portion of the funds will go toward the design of a device for administering the Avisa BreathTest, taking place at Santa Fe Community College. Visit their website here: https://www.avisadx.com/
Osazda Energy – Based in Albuquerque, Osazda is developing innovative and cost-effective products used to improve solar cell and solar module reliability. They help to mitigate solar panel cracking and harvesting more solar energy. The company plans to use the funds to validate the technology through third-party accelerated testing, which is required before the technology can enter the market. Visit their website here: http://www.osazda.com/
Pajarito Powder – Based in Albuquerque, Pajarito Powder manufactures advanced catalysts for PEM and alkaline fuel cells and electrolyzers. Their materials feature greater durability and stability over the lifetime of the fuel cell stack. The grant will be used to expand staffing, purchase marketing materials and lab supplies, and more. Visit their website here: https://pajaritopowder.com/
See also the New Mexico Economic Development Department’s June 8 press release, “State awards $125,000 to 5 science and technology companies,” here: https://gonm.biz/uploads/documents/pressReleases/st_Biz_start_up_grants_June_2021.pdf
See also the Albuquerque Journal’s June 8 article, “NM science, tech companies receive grants,” on the Albuquerque Journal Website at https://www.abqjournal.com/2397942/nm-science-tech-companies-receive-grants.html and reposted below.
NM science, tech companies receive grants
By Stephen Hamway
Tuesday, June 8, 2021
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The New Mexico Economic Development Department announced Tuesday that five companies, identified by the agency as having high growth potential, were awarded Science & Technology Business Start Up Grants at $25,000 each.
Science & Technology Business Start Up Grants are available to New Mexico-based for profit science and technology companies with fewer than 50 employees, according to a news release from EDD.
Eligible businesses must work in one of the following fields: aerospace, biosciences, cybersecurity, intelligent manufacturing, and sustainable and green energy.
Companies must provide a unique product or service, have a clear and compelling business proposition, demonstrate a scalable product and business model and have the potential to provide economic benefit to the state greater than the award amount, according to the release.
The five companies that received funding are:
– Avisa Diagnostics USA, a Santa Fe-based company that treats lung infections with rapid diagnostics to guide better clinical outcomes. A portion of the funding will go toward design taking place at Santa Fe Community College.
– EVUS, a sustainable energy company based in Las Cruces. The company’s technology supports the hot water-based heating market, and other industrial water treatment processes, according to the release.
– iBeam Materials, an intelligent manufacturing company based in Santa Fe. The grant will help the company fundraise towards expansion and achieving their next milestones
– Osazda Energy, a sustainable energy company based in Albuquerque. The company, which makes an additive designed to help preserve solar panels, plans to use the funds to validate the technology through third-party accelerated testing, which is required before the technology can enter the market.
– Pajarito Powder, a sustainable energy company based in Albuquerque. The company, which manufactures advanced catalysts for PEM and alkaline fuel cells and electrolyzers, will use the funding to expand staffing, purchase marketing materials and lab supplies, according to the release.