UWM Startups Receive Funds to Bridge Early Funding Gaps

The UWM Research Foundation launched the Bridge Grant in 2021 to help UWMRF startups bridge early funding gaps and attract further investments. With the help of a Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Capital Catalyst grant and generous donors who matched the funds, including Bader Philanthropies, Clarios, Dennis and Sue Webb, and members of the UWMRF board of directors, we have provided grants to 12 unique startups for a total of $450,000. To date, the first 10 startups have collectively attracted an additional $15.5 million in grants and investments and have hired at least a dozen new employees. The two latest winners are showcased below.

 

Fluid Flow Experiences LLC – Founder Tom Hansen, Ph.D., is a Programmer/Analyst and researcher at the UWM School of Freshwater Sciences, who has developed the Immersive Fluid Flow Experience, a deeply interactive and scientifically accurate fluid flow simulation.

The display is a computer-simulated fluid flow model brightly projected on a large wall or screen. As people move about in front of the screen, casting life-size shadows on the wall, a webcam detects the shadows and the simulated fluid responds and flows around their shadows, creating an often complex and colorful series of spinning vortexes and eddy currents that tumble across the screen. The product is currently on the market for museum installations.

Tom will use the grant to conduct further customer discovery and create marketing materials to explore temporary installations such as at trade shows, corporate events, weddings, and receptions as well as permanent installations such as airports, lobbies, hospitals, and entertainment arenas.

PerryMedical LLC– William Perry is the primary inventor and business founder of a new design for a bariatric lift device for medical workers. With a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Perry has been instrumental in developing the project since its inception as a school initiative. The product is a device to help EMTs, nurses, home caregivers, and others move people who weigh 400 to 1,000 pounds (referred to as bariatric patients) out of their beds.

One quarter of EMTs suffer a career ending back injury within the first 5 years of their career and despite only making up about 5% of a local ambulance companies calls; bariatric patients make up 25% of their serious employee injuries. With the bridge grant the team will work on creation of a prototype, testing of the prototype, and obtaining early feedback from a local ambulance company. These milestones will help refine the product and tailor it to the initial customer segment.