Start-up companies develop tools to improve personal health

By eGov Innovation Editors | May 30, 2011

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NEW YORK -- Three of the five finalists selected by IBM from 150 start-up companies to participate in its SmartCamp event in Austin, Texas were developing tools to improve personal health.

The three finalists were: DxUpClose, which developed a smarter bacterial diagnostic system that helps patients quickly screen for a specific infection; Tactical Information Systems, which developed a platform for low-cost, easy-to-use, biometrics that matches fingerprints, palm prints, iris and face images in the cloud; and Waldo Health, which developed a tablet-based patient monitoring service that delivers a smarter solution to patients' homes via telephone and mobile devices.

"Everyone wants to improve healthcare. These companies are developing technologies that can make a difference to people's personal health," said Jim Corgel, general manager, IBM Developer Relations. "These three entrepreneurs have the potential to help transform health care if IBM can help them build their business quickly."

IBM SmartCamps judge the best start-up company in different cities around the globe, rewarding the winners with mentoring, services, access to industry experts, and deeper partnership opportunities from IBM, venture capital firms and industry partners. SmartCamp Austin is one of several the company will do this year.

The two other finalists at SmartCamp Austin were: SecureWaters, which is commercializing patented technology that monitors, detects and identifies toxins in surface water; and AquaSentinel, a real-time early warning electronic monitor and alarm system that automatically and continuously tests for toxins; and Stormpulse, which provides comprehensible, on-demand weather intelligence for better decision making by gauging the impact the weather has on personnel, assets, and supply chains. 

In this time of growing demands for healthcare and rising costs, healthcare providers and companies expect patients to take charge of their personal health, IBM said.