Few people can say that they started a company, created a new product or solidified a leadership role in an emerging sector.
An even smaller group can say they did any of those things by the time they hit their mid-20s. When you find those young innovative trailblazers, they should be celebrated. And that is exactly what we are doing via our inaugural Inno Under 25 honorees.
You might have noticed the recent launch of New Mexico Inno, a platform dedicated to covering local innovation. Inno Under 25 is simply one of the many ways we plan to highlight the talent and entrepreneurial work happening right here in the Land of Enchantment.
So, how did we pick our first group of Inno Under 25 honorees? Inno reporter Collin Krabbe did what any good reporter does — his research. He contacted the local universities and leaders in the startup sector and asked about emerging talent. He then whittled down the recommendations and conducted an interview with each honoree.
This week, you will be able to read about each honoree online and in the Sept. 17 edition of the print publication. After you read about these innovators, you are likely to be left with one major takeaway: The future certainly looks bright for New Mexico.
-Meagan Nichols
Amelia Bierle isn't your typical grad student.
Bierle, who has a bachelor of science degree from the University of New Mexico and is now studying public policy, has a side gig. Her company, called Thuvia Systems LLC, is developing technology that helps people adhere to their medications.
The company created a "smart inhaler" that can measure things such as spirometry — a type of test that shows how much air can be inhaled and exhaled by a person — allowing a more complete picture of a person's pulmonary health, according to UNM. The company is also developing a "behavioral intervention" application to help patients build better health habits, such as taking their medicine.
"I have lots of visions for [Thuvia Systems] because medication adherence is not a problem specific to asthma," said Bierle, who hopes to apply the company's platform to other chronic diseases. But while she is interested in biotech, the company could also "smartify" other devices for clients if the need arose, she said.
“I want to apply kind of my biochemistry background, my policy background and my business background. I think if you use all these players you can come up with thoughtful and collaborative solutions," she said.
The seven-person company was formed in early 2020 following the Health Hackathon, a UNM program designed to spur innovation in health care. Bierle and colleague and cofounder Christian Slough didn't just participate in the program, they won the grand prize. In return, the two budding entrepreneurs were awarded $10,000, which they used to build a prototype, Bierle said.
After the Hackathon, both Bierle and Slough applied for the Spring 2021 Lobo Rainforest I-Corp Cohort, which helps entrepreneurs bring new technologies to market. According to the university, Thuvia Systems later partnered with the WHY Lab at UNM's electrical and computer engineering school. The company is actively trying to raise money and is also pursuing a grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at the National Institutes of Health.
In addition to Thuvia Systems, Bierle also works full time at a stealth startup in Albuquerque that, she said, is focused on "revolutionizing digital health." Though she did not disclose the firm name, Bierle said an announcement about the startup would be made in the coming months.
