Innovation can be a one-off stroke of genius in a place not known for new concepts.
More often, spaces — either formalized or due to the strengths of a collective community — can assist, foster, and push forward innovation, which can in turn lead to startups and founders striving to break new ground in any number of fields.
Since its fall 2021 launch, Memphis Inno — MBJ’s brand geared toward startups, technology, and innovation — has expanded its coverage of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
In that vein of coverage, MBJ is spotlighting Inno Spaces — such as SOMAVAC's headquarters — that are shaping the fortunes of individual startups and creating a community of innovation in Memphis.
SOMAVAC
One of the most seasoned and established startups in the Memphis area, the flagship product of SOMAVAC is an FDA-approved, wearable surgical drain pump device called the SOMAVAC SVS, which is most used in surgeries like mastectomies, breast reconstructions, and hernia repairs.
Already being commercialized, the product has been praised by surgeons, as it can both continuously drain fluids after a surgery and use deep tissue negative pressure therapy to hold tissue layers together, potentially preventing seromas.
Amid its success, the startup has expanded into the Charlotte area, and it’s made a key hire, tapping med tech commercialization vet Joe Sinkovich to lead its sales and marketing efforts.
SOMAVAC has also been issued a U.S. patent for a second device, which could provide surgeons with a more comprehensive solution that treats both the interior and exterior of a surgical wound.
And SOMAVAC has its own local space buoying its efforts.
We asked Josh Herwig, the organization’s co-founder and CTO, to give us a rundown of its headquarters.
MBJ: Please provide a brief history of the space. How did SOMAVAC end up there?
Herwig: SOMAVAC was founded in 2016 and operated virtually out of Start Co. and Memphis Bioworks until moving into our own space in East Memphis in 2018. We moved into our current headquarters in 2021 to facilitate our initiative to bring manufacturing in house and to support future growth. Prior to SOMAVAC, the space was a headquarters and production space for a large-format printing company.
How big is it, and how many employees work there? Our headquarters is roughly 5,000 square feet and provides office space for our seven full- and part-time employees. Ultimately, we’ll be able to support 20-25 full-time employees as we continue to grow.
What are some of its primary features?
- Office space for up to 25 employees
- Executive meeting space for approximately 12 people
- FDA-registered manufacturing facility
- Electromechanical R&D lab with prototyping and testing equipment
How is the space used, and does it help SOMAVAC achieve its goals? Our space is divided into 50% office and executive meeting space and 50% R&D and manufacturing. Our current production floor will facilitate roughly 600 units per month, with space for new product incubator lines, raw materials and finished goods storage, and shipping, receiving, and inspection. Our R&D lab supports electromechanical product development, testing, and continuous improvement engineering.
What are the plans for space's future? In the future, this space will likely be dedicated entirely to R&D and manufacturing, with the office and meeting space moving elsewhere.
