Innovation Mix at 2024 Science & Technology Showcase (STS)

The incredible range of innovation taking place at the University of Washington captured the interest of judges at the 2024 Science and Technology Showcase (STS). From machine learning and artificial intelligence solutions to medical and environmental devices, the 18 finalist teams showcased early ideas that could become the impactful startups of tomorrow. Judges awarded the $2,000 Electronic Arts Grand Prize to team PiezoPulse for their pacemaker battery solution that decreases the need for expensive and risky device replacements. PiezoPulse also won the $200 Davis Wright Tremaine Most Innovative Prize at the 18th annual event co-hosted by the UW Science and Engineering Business Association (SEBA) and the Foster School’s Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship.

The annual showcase places a spotlight on science- and technology-based innovations coming out of UW, while providing students with the opportunity to pitch their commercial potential to Seattle-area entrepreneurs and investors serving as judges.

The $1,000 WRF Capital Second Place Prize went to team Greener Pastures for its fungus-based solution to soil treatment. The team believes it can increase sustainability and efficiency for farmers while also making a positive impact on our climate. Judges also awarded the team the $200 Davis Wright Tremaine Best Communicator Prize.

The $500 Pack Ventures Third Place Prize went to team SEAPEN for its sub-aquatic monitoring system innovation. The team aims to lower costs and increase the efficiency of gathering data on coral reefs, seagrass beds, and more in our oceans.

Team BioSyft earned the $200 Davis Wright Tremaine Best Poster Prize for its novel innovation to speed up the drug development process with machine learning software during pre-clinical testing.

Judges awarded team ReviveHer the $200 Davis Wright Tremaine Best Marketing Strategy Prize for the new tools they developed for CPR training that allows for practice on different genders and body types.

Finally, team OraBot received the $200 Davis Wright Tremaine Best Pitch Prize for its hardware and software tools that allow users to improve their non-verbal communication in and out of the workplace.

The 2024 STS featured 18 finalist teams who now have the feedback and connections to potentially move forward with their ideas by applying to upcoming competitions like the Hollomon Health Innovation Challenge (Application deadline January 29), the Alaska Airlines Environmental Innovation Challenge (Application deadline February 12) and the multi-stage Dempsey Startup Competition (Application deadline April 1).

Recent STS competitors who have gone on to earn investments, launch, or earn additional prize money in Buerk Center competitions and the Jones + Foster Accelerator include nomi (2023 – now known as Komi), Mezzo (2023), Ultropia (2022), OneCourt (2022), Puget Buoy (2021), Aquagga (2020), AeroSpec (2020), SENSOL Systems (2020), ApnoMed (2020), Spira (2020), Nanodropper (2019), Chibage Chip (2019), Lonely Produce (2019), Otogear (2018), 4^th Phase (2018), A-Alpha Bio (2017), PlayGait (2017), EpiForAll (2017), and mIPS Labs (2016), among others.

The Buerk Center and SEBA also wish to thank this year’s sponsors and prize presenters: Electronic Arts, Washington Research Foundation Capital (WRF Capital), Pack Ventures, and Davis Wright Tremaine LLP.

A complete list of teams (in alphabetical order) and descriptions of their innovations are listed below.

Arcadian

Arcardian is developing a skin patch for individuals who lack access to a hospital to check for skin cancer at home.

BioSyft

BioSyft is developing a novel solution to speed up the drug development process by using machine learning software to streamline preclinical testing.

EchoGuard

EchoGuard is developing a wearable band for hearing impaired individuals that captures, analyzes, and provides feedback to environmental sounds in real-time.

Elevate

Elevate is working on a SaaS product that would provide job market insights specifically for students so they can be productive new employees quicker after graduation.

Greener Pastures

Greener Pastures is an AGTech company developing soil treatment solutions that use fungus to increase sustainability and efficiency for farmers.

Inhaler+

Inhaler+ is developing a unique hardware and software solution for asthma sufferers to manage their condition through a tailored experience.

LEAPS

LEAPS is developing a social app for amateur sports enthusiasts that streamlines the experience of joining teams, attending games, and more.

LifeLens

LifeLens is developing an augmented reality device for nurses to receive real-time patient data visualization.

LookLoud.ai

ai is developing an AI-assistant solution to make the online shopping experience more accessible and enjoyable for people with disabilities.

Luminoah

Luminoah is developing contactless technology to eliminate the need for invasive blood draws in neonatal care.

MoleView

MoleView is developing a new early detection tool to predict and classify melanoma accurately.

NovaVest

NovaVest is working on an advanced software system to streamline healthcare data management.

OraBot

OraBot is a hardware and software solution that enables users to receive feedback on non-verbal aspects of their communication, improving their professional and personal engagements.

PiezoPulse

PiezoPulse is developing a battery-solution for leadless pacemakers to increase the reliability and longevity of the devices.

PreviApp

PreviApp is working on a digital platform that targets the prevention, early detection, and effective management of diabetes.

ReviveHer

ReviveHer is developing new tools for CPR training to better allow trainees to practice on different genders and body types than current options.

SEAPEN

SEAPEN is developing a sub-aquatic monitoring system to lower costs and increase the efficiency of gathering ocean data on things like coral reefs, seagrass beds, and more.

TryonAI

TryonAI is developing an innovative virtual space for people to match clothes with their unique body types while also saving businesses money on returns.