It’s hard to think of a device more tailormade for this post (mid?) pandemic world. UVX, a company developing a device that seeks to make indoor air as pure as outdoor air, won $165,000 at the 2022 Health Impact Investor Challenge. The Challenge is run by Spring Activator and is presented by the TELUS Pollinator Fund for Good. 

In an acceptance speech, UVX co-founder and CEO Kunal Sethi joked that the company resulted from too much wine shared with company co-founder and CTO Saimir Sulaj at a hackathon. We think it’s safe to say the pair will crack open another bottle in celebration—perhaps the same one Sethi and Sulaj used to toast their startup’s recent progression in the New Ventures BC Competition. 

Meet the winner

UVX Inc.
What they do: Develop a “smart ceiling:” an air purification device.
How they do it: UVX has built what it says is the world’s first intelligent ceiling device, which features human-safe light used to disinfect both air and surfaces.
Where they do it: Vancouver, B.C.

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Meet the finalists

ImaginAble Solutions
What they do: Create assistive devices.
How they do it: ImaginAble’s product, Guided Hands, uses a sliding system to promote controlled and guided hand movements as the user holds a device tailored to their level of hand impairment.
Where they do it: Hamilton, Ontario.

MindfulGarden Digital Health
What they do: Use digital technology to support elderly patients.
How they do it: MindfulGarden’s “digital crash cart” uses sensors to capture distress levels, translating data to visualizations that distract, engage, and de-escalate patients suffering from brain disorders like dementia.
Where they do it: Vancouver, B.C.

Difinity Solutions Inc.
What they do: Replicate Keurig’s coffee pods for medication delivery.
How they do it: Difinity’s product, NeedSwitch, uses an interchangeable pod-based system, a departure from its competitor’s systems that are limited to a single drug.
Where they do it: Vancouver, B.C.

Ginger Desk
What they do: Build a virtual admin service for health practitioners.
How they do it: Ginger Desk connects practitioners with staff who are paid by the minute and have been pre-trained, vetted, and managed.
Where they do it: North Vancouver, B.C.

What’s up, doc innovator?

After focusing on climatetech for their most recent innovation challenge, Spring put the spotlight on healthtech. Entrepreneurs like Dr. Sam Gharbi and Cassandra Hui respectively represent the drive to improve healthcare through innovation and the people impact investing support. The five finalists who pitched on June 8 advanced from over 150 applicants and 15 other competitors in the challenge’s top 20. Additionally, over the course of the 11-week program, budding impact investors learn the ins and outs of investing while they gain valuable insights from guest speakers and key players in the ecosystem.

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