New companies added to RIT’s Venture Creations client list
With the addition of four new companies, the Venture Creations business incubator at Rochester Institute of Technology continues to grow. This brings the total number of client companies to 27 and includes: Growler Interactive, ConcernCenter, SmartKable Powerline Solutions and Accelerate Wind.
Based in Rochester, N.Y., Growler Interactive is a game design and development company that has launched the game “Goat Cliffer” on iOS and Android platforms. In this game, players have a fun, interactive experience where they help goats keep trolls at bay while avoiding dangerous cliffs. The company was founded by RIT alumnus Christopher Bauch ’07 (software engineering) and adjunct professor Aaron Nieboer. “We knew that we had the right mix of experience, skillsets, and passion to make a great company,” said Bauch. “Given our RIT connections, it only made sense to see what resources were available. So far, we’ve had some fantastic exposure and momentum.”
ConcernCenter is a mobile app for students, staff and administrators which identifies resources to address anxiety, poor attendance, depression and more. Helpful connections are provided, such as mental health professionals, school staffers, confidential help lines and community programs. Current clients include RIT, Union College, University of Rochester and University of Louisville, among others. The company was founded by Erin Halligan-Avery, RIT’s director of Wellness Programs and Services. “ConcernCenter is changing the way people seek support,” said Halligan-Avery. “From falling behind in class to thoughts of suicide, students identify something they are concerned about and receive a prioritized list of helpful resources. ConcernCenter is compatible with Google Analytics so administrators can see which concerns are selected most often, and is Section 508 Americans with Disabilities Act compliant.”
Monitoring power line losses is the goal of SmartKable Powerline Solutions, which is based in Skaneateles, N.Y. It uses a patented artificial intelligence software to evaluate real time line losses while predicting the remaining life of the lines. One goal for the company is to make green energy more efficient and reliable. The solution has been assessed and refined during field testing and pilot projects at several utilities in India and in the Caribbean. SmartKable was founded by Jonathan Parry.
Accelerate Wind is a clean energy incubator company. It is developing an affordable wind turbine for commercial building rooftops, making it possible to install wind and solar on the same roof and move commercial buildings closer to net zero energy. According to the founders, the innovative, combined solar and wind solution makes rooftop wind energy economically viable, architecturally pleasing and noiseless. The technology is placed at the edge of roofs where wind speeds are typically up to two times faster than other parts of the roof. Erika Boeing is co-founder and CEO.
Venture Creations was created in 2003 to provide services to high technology incubating companies. It was also created to promote economic development in Monroe County and New York state by facilitating the transfer of technology resources to the marketplace.