Introducing our new portfolio companies: nanoGriptech, Maxterial, C2Sense and CyteGen

Today, we’re thrilled to announce that four new companies advancing scientific discoveries in biomedical, chemical engineering, and nanotechnology have been selected for funding.

“We’re always hearing about bold new scientific research that promises to transform the world, but far too often the latest discoveries are left withering in a lab,” said Lindy Fishburne, Executive Director of Breakout Labs. “Our mission is to help a new type of scientist-entrepreneur navigate the startup ecosystem and build lasting companies that can make audacious scientific discoveries meaningful to everyday life. The four new companies joining the Breakout Labs portfolio — nanoGriptech, Maxterial, C2Sense, and Cytegen — embody that spirit and we’re excited to be working with them to help make their vision a reality.”

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Paul Glass of NanoGriptech[/caption]

The future of adhesives: inspired by nature
Inspired by the gecko’s ability to scuttle up walls and across ceilings due to their millions of micro/nano foot-hairs, nanoGriptech, based in Pittsburgh, Pa., is developing a new kind of microfiber adhesive material that is strong, lightweight, and reusable without requiring glues or producing harmful residues.

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Roi Ben Itzhak of NanoGriptech[/caption]

“We envision a future filled with no-leak biohazard enclosures, ergonomic and inexpensive car seats, extremely durable aerospace adhesives, comfortable prosthetic liners, high performance athletic wear, and widely available nanotechnology-enabled products manufactured less expensively — all thanks to the grippy little gecko,” said Roi Ben-Itzhak, CFO and VP of Business Development for nanoGriptech.

A sense of smell for the digital world
Despite the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recent goals to drastically reduce food waste, most consumers don’t realize the global problem created by 1.3 billion tonnes of food wasted each year — clogging landfills and releasing unsustainable levels of methane gas into the atmosphere.

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C2Sense: Alex Petty, Tanya Sokolinski, Cassie Zentner, Katherine Swager, Jan Schnorr[/caption]

Using technology developed at MIT’s Swager lab, Cambridge, Ma.-based C2Sense is developing inexpensive, lightweight hand-held sensors based on carbon nanotubes, which can detect fruit ripeness and meat, fish and poultry freshness.

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Eric Keller of C2sense[/caption]

Smaller than a half of a business card, these sensors can be developed at very low cost, require very little power to operate, and can be easily integrated into most agricultural supply chains, including food storage packaging, to ensure that food is picked, stored, shipped, and sold at optimal freshness.

“Our mission is to bring a sense of smell to the digital world. With our technology, that package of steaks in your refrigerator will tell you when its about to go bad, recommend some recipe options and help build out your shopping list,” said Jan Schnorr, Chief Technology Officer of C2Sense.

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Tim Swager of C2Sense[/caption]

Waterproofing that works
Maxterial, Inc. develops amazing superhydrophobic materials that resist a variety of detrimental environmental effects through technology that emulates similar strategies found in nature, such as the self-cleaning lotus leaf and antifouling properties of crabs.

By modifying the surface shape or texture of a metal, through a method that is very affordable and easy to introduce into the existing manufacturing process, Maxterial introduces a microlayer of air pockets that reduce contact surface area. The underlying material can be chemically the same as ever, retaining inherent properties like thermal and electrical conductivity. But through Maxterial’s technology, it also becomes inherently water repellant, anti-corrosive and antimicrobial. With Breakout Labs funding, Maxterial is conducting proof-of-concept testing of a novel hygienic metal surface for for frequently touched objects.

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Maxterial: Atieh (Amy) Haghdoost and Mehdi Kargar[/caption]

“Our process has the potential to create metallic objects that retain their amazing properties for the lifetime of the object — this isn’t an aftermarket coating that can wear or chip off,” said Mehdi Kargar, Co-founder and CEO of Maxterial, Inc. “We are working towards a day when shipping equipment can withstand harsh arctic environments, offshore structures can resist corrosion, and electronics can be fully submersible and continue working as good as new.”

New approaches to combat aging
CyteGen wants to dramatically increase the human healthspan by reversing age-related decline in the body. CyteGen’s discovery platform is also broad enough to impact neurodegenerative diseases such as MS and Parkinson’s as well as some rare diseases.

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CyteGen: George Ugras and Blake Hill[/caption]

This is made possible by new discovery tools and the dream team of interdisciplinary experts the company has assembled. CyteGen’s approach is unusually collaborative, tapping into the resources and expertise of world-renown researchers across eight major universities to focus different strengths and perspectives on solving important problems.
By approaching aging decline from a holistic, systematic point of view, they have developed a new way to think about reversing this decline, and to develop therapies that cure some of the most devastating diseases associated with old age.

“There is an assumption that aging is necessarily associated with a physical and mental decline that results in Alzheimers, Parkinson’s, MS, and other diseases. Evidence indicates otherwise, which is what spurred us to launch CyteGen,” said George Ugras, Co-Founder and President of CyteGen. “We see a future of exciting new therapeutics that can sustain viability much longer than previously thought possible.”

To date, Breakout Labs has invested in more than two dozen companies at the forefront of science, helping radical technologies get beyond common hurdles faced by early-stage companies, and advance research and development to market much more quickly. Portfolio companies have raised more than six times the amount of capital invested in the program by the Thiel Foundation, and represent six Series A valuations ranging from $10 million to $60 million as well as one acquisition.

The entire portfolio of Breakout Labs companies can be viewed at BreakoutLabs.org/portfolio.