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Health Connect South

Month: May 2016

Zyrobotics

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Zyrobotics

Dr. Johnetta Maccalla

Zyrobotics

We host Dr. Johnetta Maccalla, CEO of Zyrobotics, an assistive technology company that was conceived in the summer of 2012 and officially incorporated in 2013 as a Georgia Tech Venturelab spin-off company. Their mission is to create accessible technologies that engage and empower children with disabilities and enhance their quality of life.

The technology company develops personalized technologies that are adaptive to each individual’s capabilities.  Zyrobotics first product offerings include accessible interfaces and smart toys, socially assistive robots, and a suite of educational apps that are specially designed to enable educational and accessible play. The company’s mission facilitates freedom through technology for children of all abilities.

Johnetta shared how she saw an opportunity to leverage her long background in research and development and robotics for several large, well-known enterprises to help children with disabilities.  Zyrobotics is now engaging with professionals in rehabilitation facilities to make them aware of this technology that has shown to help engage these children in their rehab exercises, as well as increasing compliance with the prescribed plan.

We talked about the fact that the technology company is actively seeking funding to support their marketing and production scalability.  The company is also interested in partnering with rehabilitation centers and physicians who would be prescribing such services so they and their patients can benefit from access to this tool.

Special Guest:

Dr. Johnettta Maccalla, CEO, Zyrobotics

 

Capital Through EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program

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foreign investment

CEOS from China’s top high tech companies visit Chamblee to discuss the potential International Innovation & Investment Technology Park

Capital Through EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program

We host experts in immigration investment through the EB-5 program, Alex Tirado, and Roger Luo, of Woodruff & Luo, and Fortuna Holdings International.  They shared information about a source of capital through foreign investment made by citizens of other countries seeking to immigrate to the US.  This program gives these investors a path to a green card in exchange for committing $500,000 or more to a US business that is likely to result in new jobs being created.

The US Department of Customs & Immigration administers the EB-5 Immigrant Investor program.  Their website explains the program this way, “Under this program, entrepreneurs (and their spouses and unmarried children under 21) are eligible to apply for a green card (permanent residence) if they:

  • Make the necessary investment in a commercial enterprise in the United States; and
  • Plan to create or preserve 10 permanent full-time jobs for qualified U.S. workers.

This program is known as EB-5 for the name of the employment-based fifth preference visa that participants receive.

Congress created the EB-5 Program in 1990 to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors. In 1992, Congress created the Immigrant Investor Program, also known as the Regional Center Program. This sets aside EB-5 visas for participants who invest in commercial enterprises associated with regional centers approved by USCIS based on proposals for promoting economic growth.”

It is the Regional Center Program that Alexandra and Roger are focused on with Fortuna Holdings International.  They are actively courting support from investors to help get a local Regional Center started, along with a technology park that would provide incubation, acceleration, and mentorship, along with access to funding in a single ecosystem.

The firm, along with the City of Chamblee, recently hosted a delegation of investors from China (pictured above) to tour the region and view possible locales for such a venture.  It is exciting to see such a potential economic engine that will add US jobs (many of which will be here in the metro area) and additional resources that will continue to expand Atlanta’s reputation as a center for tech innovation and start-up.

Special Guests:

Alexandra Tirado, Co-CEO, Fortuna Holdings International  

immigrant investor

Roger Luo, Partner, Woodruff & Luo, LLC  

immigrant investor

 

Brain Monitoring Headphones

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 Brain-monitoring headphones

Karol Hatzilias

Brain Monitoring Headphones

We host Karol Hatzilias, Chief Science Officer of United Sciences, the company that has developed custom-made, personally-fitted brain monitoring headphones.  Karol talked about how he had helped to develop a device that gives 3D mapping of the features of the outer ear and canal.  Using the data from the 3D scans, his company could print perfect-fitting, custom made ear pieces, which proved to be very useful to hearing aid manufacturers.

After selling his initial company he wanted to build on the 3D imaging capabilities he had developed.  United Sciences is using the technology to design wireless headphones that, while providing excellent stereo sound, also contain numerous sensors that can monitor a host of physiologic activities.

The Aware headphones, as they’re called, can provide pulse oximetry, monitor brain wave activity, report steps taken, heart rate, activity of the muscles of the jaw, and potentially others.  Because of the secure fit, the headphones provide significant sound protection for the wearer.  To provide situational awareness when desired, the user can activate mics on the exterior of the device that allow them to listen to audio and also hear approaching cars or other activity around them.

The Aware hearable can track brain waves through EEG and provide real-time feedback about focus, stress, sleep patterns, and relaxation. This enhanced awareness may help users increase focus, lower stress levels, understand their sleep patterns, and help guide them to be more mindful.

Karol and his team are collaborating with academic institutions to conduct research that may enable these devices to be deployed for a variety of clinical studies, facilitating real-time, real-life monitoring of key biodata.  United Sciences is currently raising funds through a Kickstarter campaign, where contributors can pre-purchase a set of the Aware headphones at a discount in exchange for their investment support.

Special Guest:

Karol Hatzilias, Chief Science Officer, United Sciences linkedin_small1

headphones

 

 

 

Cyber Security

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Cyber Security

Steve Robb

Cyber Security

Jay and I hosted Steve Robb, SVP of Security Marketing & Product Strategy of ControlScan, a firm that specializes in information and network security for enterprises, including healthcare organizations.  With the rise of “smart” devices of all kinds that have sensors that communicate with applications via networks and/or internet, there are now a myriad of entry-points for persons intent on nefarious activity to access a company’s network.

We’ve all heard the news stories about major firms, including the US government, who have had their networks and data compromised by hackers, causing millions of people to be exposed to identity and financial theft.  As technology has continued to evolve rapidly, it is difficult for enterprises to be able to afford to recruit and retain security experts with sufficient breadth of knowledge to truly secure a business’s information as well as it could be.

Atlanta-based ControlScan brings a unified approach to security and compliance solutions, enabling organizations
to better protect sensitive data while making compliance easier to achieve and maintain. ControlScan’s combination of professional services and Managed Security Services delivers a full security lifecycle – from Security Risk Assessments to identify gaps, through HIPAA and PCI compliance analysis, to ongoing management and monitoring of security measures.

Steve shared some great information about some of the various sources of risk to networks that exist today, along with things the enterprise should be considering regarding how secure their information actually is.  The ControlScan team can provide thorough evaluations of security protocols and measures and identify weaknesses that can be shored up.  Additionally, the company provides outsourced security managed services that gives the client access to a high-level security team for less than it costs to employ one outright.

Special Guest:

Steve Robb, SVP Security Marketing & Product Strategy, ControlScan   feed-logo  twitter_logo_small  youtube-logo1  google-plus-logo-red-265px  facebook_logo_small3  linkedin_small1

Cyber security

Migraine Again

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Migraine Again

Paula Dumas

Migraine Again

This week, Jay and I hosted Paula Dumas, Founder/CEO of MigraineAgain.com.  As the leading Migraine Wellness website for patients, Migraine Again helps patients and their families suffer less and live more — until there’s a cure.  Migraine Again helps bridge the access to care, bringing evidence-based healthcare content to migraine
warriors in 45 countries.

It’s a genetic neurological disorder that hurts over 1 billion people worldwide, 37 million in the US alone: 1 in 6 women, 1 in 10 kids and 1 in 18 men. Migraine Again helps spread awareness and increase funding for one of the most disabling, invisible disorders on the planet.

Providing information on research and lifestyle changes migraine sufferers can make that can sometimes help mitigate frequency and severity of migraines, migraineagain.com reaches over a million patients worldwide each month.  When the website shares information about promising treatments or options available for migraine sufferers, Paula explained they focus on those where a significant body of reputable evidence is available to support them.  This helps to prevent making recommendations that are unproven or have little likelihood to actually provide relief.

A lifelong migraine warrior, Paula struggled and juggled through her career with CNN, Apple and Disney, and then shifted gears to devote herself to non-profit work and health advocacy. Under her direction, Migraine Again offers hope and help to people who suffer with this chronic, disabling condition, while raising awareness and funding for a cure.

A member of the American Headache Society electronic media team and an advisor to Migraine Research Foundation, Paula has been nominated for a WEGO Health Advocate Award, and a featured expert speaker at the Migraine World Summit. She’s authored over 250 articles and research papers, and conducted interviews with the world’s top migraine and headache doctors, all of which can be accessed for free on MigraineAgain.com.

Special Guest:

Paula Dumas, Founder/CEO of migraineagain.com

migraine again