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.