Spring Startup Showcase 2023 Event Recap

Apr. 13, 2023 – Springtime! The sun is out, the birds are chirping, and bold new ideas are growing in startup leaders’ heads. What better time to showcase physical products from our local innovation ecosystem?

On a warm and sunny Thursday afternoon, more than 170 people filled the Dassault Systemes 3DExperience Lab in Waltham, MA for FORGE’s first Spring Startup Showcase. Startups joined local suppliers and manufacturers, investors, and startup ecosystem organizations to connect, demonstrate their products, and compete for funding prizes.

The evening began with networking, tabletop product demos from the 21 startups, and an array of food and drinks. Paul Butler, FORGE’s director of partnerships, and Laura Teicher, our executive director, kicked off the pitch competition. Looking out at the 3DEXPERIENCE Town Hall, packed with innovators and their supporters, Teicher said “This is what a thriving ecosystem looks like!”

Paul introduced the featured speaker, Suchit Jain, VP of Strategy & Business Development at Dassault. He said “Our mission is about harmonizing product, life, and nature. Our customers are innovating every day, like you guys.”

And with that, it was time to pitch! Startups had a strict one-minute limit to explain and promote their products. We heard amazing pitches from:

1. 1854 Cycling – is a startup developing an electronic bicycle for police officers.

2. AMATEC – has created a new and advanced building material called High-Density Gypsum, which allows us to seamlessly automate the production of houses.

3. CADSPARC – is on a mission to educate the world about design for 3D printing by creating an interactive, easy-to-use, 3D CAD design portal. Their solution helps startups address their rapid prototyping needs by integrating breakthroughs in Augmented Reality (AR) technologies.

4. DeepCharge – is an AI technology startup building wireless charging solutions. Their proprietary technology transforms just about any surface into a wireless charging surface making it easy to keep all devices fully-powered.

5. DxLab – is developing a microfluidics-and-plastic-based cartridge & fluorescence reader to offer rapid and accurate detection of pathogens. Their first device tests COVID-19 and provides accurate results quickly, enabling timely response to infections and providing safety to everyone.

6. eLyte Technology, Inc. – is a Stanford University spin out that is bringing to market new technology to electrify the world with high-energy-density lithium batteries.

7. Floe – is developing an intelligent cleantech hardware product that prevents property damage caused by ice dams. By using a green, biodegradable chemical deicer rather than heat or manual labor, we deliver significant savings (both economic and energy) to our customers.

8. Florrent – is a DeepTech company innovating to design and build high energy density ultracapacitors that will stabilize electrical grids and address critical bottlenecks for the adoption of renewable energies, electric vehicles, and net-zero buildings.

9. FLX Solutions – The FLX BOT is a patented, 1″ diameter snake-like robot that fits into spaces that workers cannot easily access. It’s made up of modular, identical, interchangeable links that have cameras for inspection, 3D mapping, and autonomous navigation.

10. GenH – is a hydroelectric technology development company focused on advanced modular power generation. GenH technologies have the potential to change renewable energy and supply significant power for fossil fuel offset.

11. Jaia Robotics – JaiaBots™️ are micro sized hybrid autonomous surface and subsurface vehicles. They are rugged and reliable, designed for shore or manned or unmanned vessel launched operations.

12. NanoEngineering – are making scientific instruments that detect, quantify and characterize nano-particles for research which will help prevent future pandemics.

13. Obaggo – transforms loose plastic bags and packaging film into recyclable disks.

14. Optigon – creates measurement devices to provide materials scientists and manufacturers tools to accelerate the development and deployment of clean energy materials.

15. rStream – is developing automated waste sorting systems to be deployed at high traffic venues and improve the capture rate and quality of recyclables sent to waste management.

16. Stronger Trees – designs and manufactures products that help users of enteral feeding pumps.

17. Sol Clarity – provides transparent Electrodynamic Screen (EDS™) as overlays for solar panels that automatically remove dust and improve the energy yield/output power of solar panels without the need to wash the panels with water.

18. The Aluminum Anodizer Company – is making low-volume aluminum anodization affordable by creating a small anodizer anyone can use.

19. The Light Synthesizer – is a three dimensional light box system that transforms glass into a programmable optical array.

20. Zaneez Health & Fitness – AnkleSTONE® is an innovative multi-position orthopedic device providing years of daily conditioning and therapy protecting and revitalizing your feet and ankles.

21. Zeptive – is changing the air quality monitoring industry by bringing high-end, low-cost portable detection technology to the market at the time of greatest need created by the vaping epidemic and the covid-19 pandemic.

Thank you to FORGE’s sponsors:

Dassault Systèmes, who hosted the event in the Waltham 3DEXPERIENCE Lab and the following:

Throughout the evening, participants voted for best startup concept and best technology demonstration.

Jim Barry VP of Sales and Marketing at FORGE sponsor Alternative Manufacturing Inc. said, “It was a great time at an awesome venue, and you could just feel the excitement in the air. We met with a few startups that we have been talking to, and a few new ones that we think we can help.”

Everyone was so engaged with networking and checking out the demos that we had trouble getting them back in the room to announce the results! The winners were:

• 1st place, concept ($5,000) – Stronger Trees, for the Flying Squirrel feeding pump hanger founder Patrick Brown designed to help his daughter live with a rare disease

• 2nd place, concept ($3,000) – Obaggo, for its device which heats and compresses thin-film plastic for recycling

• 3rd place, concept ($2,000) – rStream Recycling, for its mixed-waste sorting device

• Best demo ($1,000) – CADSPARC, for its demo of the VirtualPrint augmented reality CAD platform

Once the event ended, some of the attendees ended the night by heading to the Copper House Tavern down the street – the perfect conclusion to a fun night of pitching, voting, and getting to know each other!

If you’re a startup, manufacturer, innovation ecosystem organization, or potential sponsor interested in learning more about or getting involved with FORGE, contact us today.

Here are a few more pictures of the Spring Startup Showcase!