Editor’s note: WRAL TechWire and the Council for Entrepreneurial development are partnering to present a series of profiles and Q&As featuring companies startups and emerging companies participating in the CED’s annual Life Science conference coming up Feb. 28-March 1 in Raleigh. The latest profile is Raleigh-based Voxelight, creator of Sunscreenr.

Voxelight

  • Web site: http://www.sunscreenr.com                                                                                     
  • CEO: David Cohen
  • Contact information: dcohen@voxelight.com
  • Sub-sector: Consumer Health                                                                                        
  • Headquarters: Raleigh, NC
  • Year Founded: 2015
  • Watch a video overview at: https://vimeo.com/165641708

COMPANY PROFILE

Voxelight is an early-stage startup with market validation for our new-to-the-world consumer health product. Sunscreenr is a rugged, patent-pending, easy-to-operate viewer that enables anyone to easily see sunscreen on their skin. It helps everyone to properly apply sunscreen, and to see exactly where sunscreen has worn-thin from sweat, swimming or even just playing with the kids. Sunscreenr is the only product on the planet able to help answer sun safety questions such as: “Have I covered my back?” & “Have I fully protected my toddler?”

FOUNDERS/MANAGEMENT TEAM

  • David Cohen
  • Jon Meyer

KEY MILESTONES TO DATE

  • Funding: $120k from founders, $190k+ of consumer pre-orders
  • Multiple generations of functional prototypes based on two different core technologies protected by multiple IP filings
  • Successful Kickstarter & Indiegogo campaigns with continued daily pre-orders via sunscreenr.com
  • Invited appearance on Shark Tank (handshake deal on-air with Kevin O’Leary did not close)
  • Extensive media interest and coverage

POWERED BY

CED, First Flight Venture Center

Q&A

  • What is the primary pain point you are seeking to address?

One in every five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Sunscreen is great, it’s like an invisible armor that is proven to reduce the risk of skin cancer but consumers often use too little and do not reapply often enough to maintain effective protection (CDC). If sprayed on, it is difficult to see. If rubbed on, it quickly turns clear when spread. Consumers want to use sunscreen properly but lack the tools to judge whether they have done so. Sunscreenr solves this problem.

  • What sets your company apart? What’s the “secret sauce”?

There is nothing like Sunscreenr on the market today. There are devices for measuring sun exposure after the fact but nothing except Sunscreenr actually shows you where your’re protected BEFORE you get burned. Voxelight has been able to evolve a scientific-grade imaging tool to the point where everyone can afford to have in in their beach bag.

  • Why should investors be interested in your company? What is the potential market size?

Sunscreenr is extraordinary in that its target market is truly ubiquitous and global. Skin cancer is the most diagnosed cancer yet it is largely preventable; we just have to do a better job protecting ourselves. Everyone who uses sunscreen can benefit by having a Sunscreenr at their side to ensure that they are well-protected. Every year over $1B is spent on sunscreen in the USA and over $10B globally.

Initial adopters are:

  • parents/families
  • those whose lives have been touched by skin cancer
  • anyone who actively cares for their skin

These groups cut across geographic and socioeconomic boundaries. The sun shines on all of us.