MedUX Wins Lever's Berkshire Manufacturing Innovation Challenge

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass.— A panel of  judges chose MedUX, LLC, as the winner of Lever's Berkshire Manufacturing Innovation Challenge (BMIC) on Feb. 26. 
 
The company, founded by Alec Gillinder and Quinn King, both recent alumni of Syracuse University, will receive a $25,000 award to continue developing its wearable IV technology. 
 
"We regularly see Challenge winners and finalists expand, grow, and continue to innovate," said Brent Filson, Lever's Head of Innovation. "These entrepreneurs each began our program with strong concepts, and each advanced their business models substantially during our acceleration phase. I'm excited to see what each company goes on to do after participating in this Challenge."
 
Each of the four BMIC finalists pitched scalable innovations with applications in the health industry. To prepare for the Challenge, they worked with Lever to refine their business plans, network with medical and manufacturing industry leaders, and learn about marketing, supply chains, and other topics via Lever's network of industry mentors. 
 
Zeptive, of Burlington, which has created an indoor air monitoring system for schools, universities, and general workspaces, was declared the runner-up in the competition.
 
This is Lever's third Manufacturing Innovation Challenge. Winners of past Lever Challenges have gone on to secure major U.S. government contracts, develop technology to ensure food safety nationwide, and raise millions of dollars from private investors. 
 
"I want to express my gratitude to the Lever team for this opportunity to engage so early on in my tenure with an organization and a region of the state so important to our Commonwealth and our team at the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center," said President and CEO Kenn Turner of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, which continues to support and partner with Lever on this and other Challenge competitions. "Today's Innovation Challenge is just the latest example of the opportunities we know are possible in this emerging entrepreneurial cluster in Western Massachusetts." 
 
BMIC Finalists
 
MedUX, LLC
MedUX LLC has worked hard over the past two years to develop its wearable approach to IV treatment and fluid resuscitation. 
 
Zeptive
Zeptive's indoor air health monitoring system is designed to enable organizations such as hotels/bars/restaurants, fitness centers, schools, universities, and any other workspace to re-open and remain open. Public schools are the beachhead market for Zeptive's air quality sensors, where the technology will help mitigate the risk of COVID transmission.
 
Gencores
Founded by Jules Thiery and Melissa Forstell, Gencores combines advanced robotics, 3D printing, and material science to produce lightweight, shock-absorbing composites at scale. Their technology has garnered interest from athletic helmet manufactures for its potential to help reduce traumatic head injury.
 
Kyttarinic Technologies, LLC
Kyttarinic Technologies is a biotech startup that develops products and technology with advanced biomaterials. Its initial product, Fogkicker, is a cellulose-based coating that prevents eyewear fogging (glasses, face shields, goggles) when wearing PPE face masks. Kyttarinic is founded by Dr. Kenneth Carter and James Capistran.
 
 

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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