Our Startups

Advanced Energy Materials, LLC’s (ADEM) is a leader in bulk manufacturing of nanomaterials and developed a variety of nanowire-based materials. The company’s mission is to become a global leader in designing and supplying catalyst products using nanowire technology. ADEM’s technology can transform the catalysis industry with its unique nanowire-based catalysts, that can be applied to a wide range of catalytic-applications such as oil and gas refining, chemical processing, sulfur removal from fuels, natural gas desulfurization and carbon capture and utilization.

Advanced Energy Materials was created after a break-through technology was developed at UofL’s Conn Center of Renewable Energy Research. The company has an exclusive license agreement with UofL for a patent portfolio of 9 issued and 4 pending patents. The company’s Cheif Technology Officer, Dr. Mahendra Sunkara, also serves as the Director of the Conn Center.

Learn More: advancedenergymat.com

Arduro Sustainable Rubber provides an economically viable and environmentally friendly approach to recycling waste tires, reducing the ecological footprint of traditionally toxic styrene-butadiene rubber manufacturers. Arduro utilizes a patented, non-hazardous chemical method to break down rubber by separating polymer and sulfur crosslinks.

Arduro Sustainable Rubber holds a license to technology developed at UofL. This technology, a method of recycling vulcanized rubber, was invented by Professor of Chemical Engineering Dr. Gerold Willing, alongside Ph.D. student Patrick Kroeger, who now serves as a Senior Process Engineer at Arduro.

Learn More: arduro.co

Autism Diagnostic Technologies, Inc. has developed a method of mapping brains using current technologies combined with a unique invention to compare normal brains to autistic, dyslexic, and Alzheimer's affected brains. This system provides healthcare workers with a 94%+ accuracy diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in minutes.

Learn More: autismdiagnostictechnology.com

Bert Thin Films is revolutionizing solar panel manufacturing by replacing expensive silver components with the copper-based, CuBert™ paste. Bert Thin Films aims to reduce the manufacturing cost of solar panels by changing this simple ingredient, removing an obstacle that prevents solar energy from being profitable and pervasive.

Bert Thin Films was founded by two researchers from UofL’s Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research: Senor Research Engineer Dr. Thad Druffel and former post-doctoral research associate Ruvini Dharmadasa. The company was founded to commercialize technology developed at the Conn Center.

Learn More: bertthinfilms.com

Dosis Inc. offers its Strategic Anemia Advisor, an AI-guided reference tool that determines a patient’s unique response to Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) and recommends ESA doses to keep the patient within their hemoglobin target range. The Strategic Anemia Advisor acts as a clinician support tool, designed to empower healthcare professionals to make the best treatment decisions for their patients.

Dosis’ Strategic Anemia Advisor was developed by a team of UofL researchers. This team includes Dr. George Aranoff, Dr. Adam Gaweda, and Dr. Micheal Brier. Dr. George Aronoff now acts as the company’s Chief Medical Officer, while Drs. Adam Gaweda and Michael Brier serve as Scientific Advisors.

Learn More: dosisinc.com

DSentz is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing novel non-opioid pain-control treatments. The company offers a platform of small-molecule local anesthetics that block the electrical activity of peripheral neurons, enabling surgical procedures and providing relief of localized pain. Existing local anesthetics are effective, but have limitations due to the fact that they can be extremely toxic to certain body parts. DSentz technology overcomes these limitations by providing local anesthesia and analgesia with molecules not derived from the cocaine family, eliminating the problem of toxicity and expanding the potential applications of local anesthetic agents.

Intellirod Spine is developing a wireless implantable microelectronic spinal rod strain sensor. This innovative strain monitoring system will allow spine surgeons to objectively assess the strain on implanted spinal fusion rods. Intellirod Spine received the first-ever spine FDA De Novo approval for its revolutionary disposable spinal rod strain sensor, the LOADPRO. The company is also in beta launch of its wearable brace compliance monitor, the iLink for pediatric scoliosis and post spinal surgery braces (ilinkmybrace.com).

Intellirod Spine was founded by UofL orthopedic surgeon Dr. Rolando Puno in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of professors from UofL’s J.B Speed School of Engineering. This team includes Professor of Mechanical Engineering Dr. William Hnat, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Dr. John Naber, Professor of Bioengineering Dr. Michael Voor, and Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Dr. Kevin Walsh.

Learn More: intellirodspine.com

NaugaNeedles has developed nanofabrication technology to grow constant diameter, silver-gallium nanoneedles at any location and orientation. Nauganeedles aims to advance its needle-probe technology, develop effective mass-production techniques, and make the company a leading manufacturer of SPM probes in North America.

While working in a UofL research lab as an Electrical Engineering Ph.D. student, Dr. Mehdi Yazdanpanah discovered that silver and gallium react at room temperature, causing a reaction which forms a nano-needle structure. This accidental, yet fortunate discovery led to the creation of NaugaNeedles to manufacture these nano-needles.

Learn More: nauganeedles.com

Power NeuroRecovery provides clinics and healthcare facilities with products that aid in the rehabilitation of patients suffering from neurological disorders or spinal cord injuries. The company currently offers the PowerStep Body Weight Support System, Pediatric Harnesses, the PowerUP Kids Body Weight Support System, and the Standing Frame.

The technology behind these products was developed by Dr. Behrman, a professor of neurological surgery, and Dr. Tommy Roussel, a professor of bioengineering, with funding from the Coulter Translational Partnership.

Learn More: https://powerneurorecovery.com/

Promisight aims to become a leader in cataract prevention through HydroLenZ, a novel gel that can prevent the formation of post-vitrectomy cataracts, potentially eliminating the need for risky and strenuous intraocular lens implant surgeries.Learn More: https://promisight.com/

Unitonomy is building a system to reinvent how information is communicated and knowledge is transferred between colleagues, while measuring performance in the context of collaboration. Unitonomy offers a virtual colleague who, like a human project manager, engages work teams through the communication tools they already use. The automated system captures meaningful information and saves everyone time by eliminating status updates and meetings. At the same time, the program uses data science to analyze the collaboration between employees, including offering mechanisms to cultivate better collaboration.

Unitonomy was founded by former UofL Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Charley Miller. The company holds a license to employee-engagement software invented by Dr. Brad Shuck, an Associate Professor at UofL’s College of Education and Human Development.

Learn More: unitonomy.com

Vivorte’s mission is to identify, develop, and commercialize innovative orthopedic devices that have the potential to improve the lives of patients. Vivorte is focused on maintaining and improving bone strength while also expediting the healing process. The company’s firm commitment to providing high-quality, unique technologies drives the ongoing development of cost-effective solutions that benefit patients, surgeons, and hospitals.

Vivorte was co-founded by UofL Professor of Bioengineering, Dr. Michael Voor. The company holds exclusive licenses to intellectual property developed at UofL.

Learn More: vivorte.com