Four health care companies, including a Cincinnati-based firm that has developed a breathing device to tackle shortness of breath in those with lung conditions, have been selected for SoCap Accelerate’s eighth cohort.
SoCap Accelerate, based in Northern Kentucky, is a six-week program that leverages community resources and social capital to accelerate the growth and success of health-focused startups. The latest session will conclude with a virtual demo event set for May 15.
The cohort showcases:
PEP Buddy: Founded in 2021 by University of Cincinnati pulmonologists Dr. Ralph J. Panos and Courier 2024 Health Care Heroes honoree Dr. M. Ahsan Zafar, PEP Buddy, a hands-free breathing aid, is designed for individuals experiencing breathlessness caused by lung conditions such as COPD and emphysema. The device can increase oxygen levels in individuals with COPD who experience a decrease in blood oxygen during physical exertion. It also aids in reducing anxiety and stress. PEP Buddy encourages slower breathing and heart rate, creating a calming effect on the body and mind. Panos is a professor emeritus in pulmonary and critical care at the UC College of Medicine with over 41 years of medical experience and also serves as the executive physician director of the VA National Tele-Critical Care Program. Zafar is an associate professor of medicine specializing in pulmonary and critical care at UC.
Legal-Pythia: Legal-Pythia uses artificial intelligence-driven technology to enhance legal document management processes for health care organizations. By leveraging explainable AI, which provides the users transparency in regard to the methods it uses to generate results, organizations can achieve enhanced compliance, recognize inconsistencies in legal documents and safeguard data integrity, which significantly improves patient safety and operational efficiency. Based out of Glasgow, Scotland, Legal-Pythia is led by CEO Jeremy Bormann. Bormann has a degree in corporate and financial law.
Cardio Core Champions: Based in Atlanta, Cardio Core Champions provides mobile cardiac screenings specifically designed for athletes of all levels, ranging from high school teams to professional leagues. They assess athletes with services such as electrocardiograms, echocardiograms and blood pressure measurements, giving athletes a deep insight into their heart health. Cardiac sonographer Alexis Williams founded Cardio Core Champions after her son was born with a congenital heart condition and her nephew experienced a sudden cardiac event while at practice.
Milapole: 3 Mountain Health Technology, a division of Milapole.com, offers a comprehensive software-as-a-service (SaaS) suite tailored for health care professionals, hospitals, clinics and wellness centers. Milapole's all-in-one apps handle both non-patient and patient data transactions. 3 Mountain Health Technology was founded in 2023 and is based out of Sheridan, Wyo.
SoCap Accelerator, launched in October 2020, collaborates with various partners, including St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Northern Kentucky University and Mercy Health.
The program is spearheaded by Rico Grant, an experienced founder from Cincinnati.
