We are entering the semis of Inno Madness. Just four companies left. It's an honor even to get this far, but the winnowing down must continue.
After some voting irregularities, we decided to move Respira Labs on to this round. Please be aware you should only be voting once per person. You can read the contest rules here.
The competition asks voters "which company they would invest in," drawing queries from around the region and sorting out the early exits from the "to the moon" future unicorns. Its goal is to highlight some of the most promising and innovative pre-Series A startups in the bay, and is by no means a comprehensive list of all the companies the area has to offer.
The bracket was assembled based on reader nominations, as well as editorial input from the Bay Area Inno team. We split the bracket into two regions: Those in Silicon Valley and the South Bay, and those in the San Francisco and East Bay areas. Beyond that, the seeding was random.
This round will only last week, ending Tuesday, April 19, at 11:59 p.m.
Meet the Players:
SAN FRANCISCO REGION
Chameleon Biosciences Berkeley
Treatments for genetic disorders hold a lot of promise but won't be effective if they trigger an immune response from the very patient it's meant to help. Chameleon Biosciences' founder has an extensive career in biotech, and the company is developing a way to deliver gene therapies while preventing an immune response.
Rubi Laboratories Sausalito
Twin sisters are developing a way to spin rayon out of carbon dioxide pulled from the atmosphere in order to make biodegradable textiles that could help the fashion industry lower its carbon footprint.
SILICON VALLEY REGION
Buzz Solutions Palo Alto
The firm has developed AI software that analyzes images captured by drones and helicopters to detect faults and other anomalies along power lines. The technology is used to help power companies repair their power lines, helping prevent wildfires and power outages.
Respira Labs Mountain View
The startup created an AI-enabled device to measure the acoustics of patients' lungs. The small, portable device provides a way to detect worsening symptoms in patients suffering from COPD, asthma or Covid-19.
