Betamore, Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures and the University of Maryland, Baltimore have launched the first cohort of a new collaborative accelerator program, called Trajectory Next.
The 12-week training program has been branded as a kind of post-accelerator that will offer startups support and assistance as they work to build up their teams, acquire new customers and develop revenue streams. It is designed to serve startups that are navigating the period after graduating from an accelerator or incubator, specifically those operating in the health technology and life science spaces.
“We saw an unmet need in the entrepreneurial space for a post-accelerator training program that develops the unique skills needed for early sales and tapped our networks across the state to help startups shorten the health care sales cycle,” Megan Wahler of Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures, said in a statement. “Beyond the teams participating, we have had a great response from industry and institutions looking to get involved.”
Startups began applying to the program in January. The post-accelerator launched May 23 and will end September 12.
Here are the members of the first Trajectory Next cohort:
CardioCube: a voice-based artificial intelligence software that acts as an everyday assistant to help patients manage heart disease.
Bayesian Health: provides machine learning-driven tech that gives health care teams real-time data to enable rapid and sustainable performance improvement.
Revolve Biotechnologies Inc.: focuses on engineering proteins using a process called directed evolution, which allows for the forced evolution of proteins or nucleic acids toward a certain use goal.
NextStep Robotics Inc.: developing robotic technologies to assist patients in rehabilitation and regaining mobility. The company's firs product, AMBLE, was designed to help with the condition of foot drop in stroke survivors and others regain mobility using clinically proven rehabilitation robotics training. It recently raised a $750,000 funding round, with participation from the University System of Maryland's new Momentum Fund.
LyfLynks Inc.: combining mobile, call center and internet of things tech to create a platform that helps save time and simplify work for elder caregivers.
B.Well: a personal health app that allows users to securely store, manage and share their medical records and family health history all in one place.
Sonavex: provides clinicians with tech to help with visualization of critical health information, like the presence of potentially harmful blood clots. The company raised $3 million last year and plans to commercially launch its EchoMark product by the end of the year.
ClearMask: developing a fully transparent surgical mask to help improve doctor-patient communication. The company was also a cohort member of Johns Hopkins' Social Innovation Lab program, where it recently won $25,000 in funding.
Trajectory Next was one of six projects to be funded through the Maryland Technology Development Corp.'s Incubation Challenge last year. And it was one of two ventures representing partnership between UMB and Hopkins. Each project won $125,000.
During the 12-week program, participants will have access to services and training focused on the building of sales channels, facilitating pilot programs, restructuring product management, legal support, user research, market development and recruiting. Companies will be working with the McDonell Consulting Group/Sandler Training.