Editor’s note: CED’s Tech Venture is offering a series of “Spotlight” presentations focusing on 18 emerging startups spread across five sectors. Three startups were featured in the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing segment, as Allan Maurer reports exclusively for WRAL TechWire. One had just struck a deal with Rex Healthcare. Be sure to check out our photo slideshow of the presentations from WRAL’s Kelly Hinchcliffe.
RALEIGH, N.C. – Two advanced materials startups and the emcee of a third highlighted the Showcase session on that topic at the CED Tech Venture Conference Tuesday.
Anthony Atti, president and CEO of Phononic, which is developing innovative solid state cooling and heating semi-conductors, noted that “$70 million went into advanced materials manufacturing in North Carolina last year.”
Atti, introducing the session, said his firm had just that morning signed Rex Healthcare as a partner to provide it with specialized units that provide a uniform temperature, no vibration and work in a sterile environment.
Guerrilla RF’s “Armor”
Greensboro-based Guerrilla RF is seeking additional venture backing in an undisclosed amount to go into mass production, bolster its management team and develop new products, said founder and CEO Ryan Pratt. He thinks a round of that size would get the company to a cash flow break-even level, he added.
It won a Fall 2013 NC IDEA grant and raised a $1 million seed round previously.
Founded in 2013, the company’s patent-pending “Guerrilla Armor” solves a key issue in many high speed wireless systems that limit transmit power and range, Pratt explained.
Pratt said the company is initially targeting the reach and speed of small cell, 802.11 Wi-Fi and the wireless backhaul markets. With mobile data use reaching unprecedented levels, “There is an urgent need of cellular carriers to offload mobile data from their cell towers.”
Tethis Targets Biomaterials
Tethis, based in Raleigh, is a biomaterials startup with roots at North Carolina State University founded in 2012.
It makes green, biodegradable products out of low value materials that can be used for water treatment and water absorption.
The company has raised $1.4 million from angel and institutional investors and Scott Bolin, co-founder and CEO tells WRAL TechWire that he wants to raise an additional $3 million to $5 million for expansion.
Tethis products can be made from many different carbohydrates like corn starch or pulp and paper waste. Its water treatment product can remove salts, heavy metals, and even radioactive material. It may be used in oil and gas spill cleanups and for water desalinization. Tehis, Bolin said, “is the Greek Goddess of pure water.”
The company developed a patent-pending platform to mass produce its novel biodegradable polymers.
Its water absorption product is aimed at the diaper industry.
On the web:
- Phononic
- Guerilla RF
- Tethis
