Ohio Department of Development

01/21/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/21/2025 17:29

State Awards $1.4 Million for Advances in Military Technologies, Medicine

January 21, 2025

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) - The Ohio Third Frontier Commission today approved $1.4 million to support the research and commercialization of medical, military, and scientific technologies.

Seven organizations will receive grant funding to support further validation of early-stage technologies through the Technology Validation and Start-up Fund (TVSF).

The TVSF program provides grants to Ohio companies aiming to license institution-owned technologies to accelerate commercialization through activities such as market research and further prototyping. This helps companies raise funds and get the licensed technology to the marketplace faster.

"Ohioans are changing the world, and we're helping them make their bold ideas a reality," said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development and chair of the Ohio Third Frontier Commission. "Whether it's through life-saving advancements in healthcare or groundbreaking military technologies, Ohio is where dreamers and doers can come together to help shape the future."

Technology Validation and Start-up Awards

Checkmate AI Holdings LLC, located in the city of Dublin (Franklin County), was awarded $200,000 to commercialize a user-friendly artificial intelligence platform that provides appointment reminders, mental health check-ins, and daily medication through phone calls. The elderly population and individuals who are neurodivergent and/or have substance-abuse issues would benefit from the technology. The technology is being licensed from Nationwide Children's Hospital.

ComfortCath LLC, located in the city of Mason (Warren County), was awarded $200,000 to commercialize a novel catheter that enables natural urination without requiring a urine bag or drainage tube and diminishes infection risks. The objectives of this project will consist of prototyping, finalization of the design, and resource retention. Hospitals, home health organizations, private practice gynecologists and urologists would benefit from the technology. The technology is being licensed from the University of Cincinnati.

Immobileyes Inc., located in the city of Kent (Portage County), was awarded $200,000 to commercialize LUMALERT. A self-defense tool, LUMALERT contains technology that employs disorienting strobing lights aimed at deterring attackers, a loud alarm system, and location tracking ability that does not require a cellular signal. This safety device is diminutive and easily portable, and the initial target market will be Ohio college students. The technology is being licensed from the U.S. Navy.

MetaMol Theranostics, located in the city of Milford (Clermont County), was awarded $200,000 to commercialize a breast cancer diagnostic. A specific splice variant of the protein Osteopontin (OPN-c) has been identified as being present in precancerous lesions, and the diagnostic would include an OPN-c-based prognostic test that could be an indicator of risk and help predict the patient's survival rate. There also is the potential for this technology to be applicable in detecting other diseases such as prostate, ovarian, pancreatic, and liver cancers since they also depend on OPN-c. The technology is being licensed from the University of Cincinnati.

Parcell Company, located in the city of Columbus (Franklin County), was awarded $200,000 to commercialize an integrated tracking system that provides secure communication capabilities for hardware devices. The automated tracking of items shared between parties enables users to focus their time on more productive tasks, which increases operational efficiency. Current manual tool control processes would be replaced, and sensitive information would only be available to authorized systems and users. The technology is being licensed from the U.S. Air Force.

Ravee Optics Limited, located in the city of Oakwood (Montgomery County), was awarded $200,000 to commercialize a thermal image sensor designed to be used in drones, handheld devices, and small vehicles. The compact, infrared systems will allow for 3D mapping and thermal imaging even during inclement weather. The project will holistically consist of design and analysis of the product and integration of the components into supplier-provided modules. The technology is being licensed from the U.S. Air Force.

UP Biochemicals, located in the city of Lewis Center (Delaware County), was awarded $200,000 to commercialize a catalyst technology that converts plant-based sugars into high-value molecules by borrowing petrochemical reactor designs. This process is expected to reduce carbon emissions. The technology is being licensed from the Ohio State University.

The next round of the TVSF program opens at 10 a.m. Jan. 24. To learn more and apply, visit the program webpage at Development.Ohio.gov/TVSF.

The Ohio Department of Development empowers communities to succeed by investing in Ohio's people, places, and businesses. Learn more about our work at https://development.ohio.gov/.