Michael J. Cunningham, MBA’s Post

AI Tech in Focus:  Novel Thermal Sensors Use AI to Classify Objects in Waste Stream Researchers at Tsinghua University in Beijing have developed a robotic tactile sensing method that incorporates thermal sensors to more accurately identify objects. The system is layered to first identify items though vision then through thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity (rate of “heat” spread), surface roughness, contact pressure and temperature. Current systems of identification are stymied by “seeing” objects with similar shapes and sizes or objects that are unknown. This new system pairs a sensor with cascading classification algorithms to sort from easiest to hardest. The engineers then tested it by installing it on an arm to sort through objects commonly found in waste streams (paper cartons, food scraps, plastic bottles, paper napkins, etc.). The system classified objects with 99% accuracy rate—even those that were previously unknown to the robot. The success in sorting using the thermal sensing system will greatly increase accuracy and efficiency and reduce the need for human labor in waste sorting systems. Going forward, the engineers will focus on enhancing the system’s intelligence and autonomy. It is also hoped that the thermal sensor information could be combined with brain-computer interface technology to enhance tactile perception for people with hand disabilities. VC Investors are always adjusting their "Play Book" with a variety of options for investing. Mikal Ventures is one of those alternatives, offering curated solutions to real world problems. Reach out if you have questions on how we can be of assistance and bookmark https://mikalventures.com/ for additional insights and information.

A great take on business and life in short digestible sound bites…

This week Mikal Ventures brings you a 4-week breakdown of the non-US capital market with an emphasis on the Mikal verticals. Over the 4-week period ending June 24, just over 1,160 new companies were added, with 102,850 companies included in the non-US Health Tech, Med Tech, Fin Tech, AI Tech, and Ed Tech verticals. The non-US AI Tech saw the greatest percentage growth in new companies for the period at 16%, vs. the vertical average of 11% for the period. The non-US Health Tech vertical led the group in transactions. The non-US Med Tech vertical lead in both SEC Filings and news articles. Mikal Ventures publishes these stats on a rolling 4-week basis to provide a perspective on how the verticals and new startups move through time. We hope you find them informative and thought-provoking. VC Investors are always adjusting their "Play Book" with a variety of options for investing. Mikal Ventures is one of those alternatives, offering curated solutions to real world problems. Reach out if you have questions on how we can be of assistance and bookmark https://mikalventures.com/ for additional insights and information.

AI in Focus:  Interactive Graphic Depicts Weight of Natural vs Man-Made Things on Earth An astrophysics and AI professor together with a computer science alumnus at Johns Hopkins University have created an interactive visualization of human activity on the planet. The infographic, called BioCubes, shows how man-made things now outweigh all forms of natural life. The graphics depict the relative relationship between biological and technological forms and how human activities have impacted the earth’s ecosystems since 1900—with biomass weight estimated at about 1100 Gt and technomass at 1200 Gt. Interestingly, concrete is the second most used substance (the first being water) and livestock now weigh almost twice that of the human population (0.2 Gt vs. 1.2 Gt, respectively.) BioCubes can be found at BioCubes.net. The co-creators also have created the Map of the Universe that displays the entire span of the known cosmos and can be found at mapoftheuniverse.net. VC Investors are always adjusting their "Play Book" with a variety of options for investing. Mikal Ventures is one of those alternatives, offering curated solutions to real world problems. Reach out if you have questions on how we can be of assistance and bookmark https://mikalventures.com/ for additional insights and information.

This week Mikal Ventures brings you a 4-week breakdown of the US capital market with an emphasis on the Mikal verticals. Over the 4-week period ending June 10, just over 590 new companies were added, resulting in 95,661 companies included in the US Health Tech, Med Tech, Fin Tech, AI Tech, and Ed Tech verticals. AI Tech maintained its most active status, seeing the greatest percentage of growth in both new companies and transactions. The US Fin Tech vertical led the way in SEC Filings and news articles. Mikal Ventures publishes these stats to provide a perspective on how the verticals and new startups move through time. We hope you find them informative and thought-provoking. VC Investors are always adjusting their "Play Book" with a variety of options for investing. Mikal Ventures is one of those alternatives, offering curated solutions to real world problems. Reach out if you have questions on how we can be of assistance and bookmark https://mikalventures.com/ for additional insights and information.

Med Tech in Focus:   Wearable Ultrasound Patch Offers Continuous Cerebral Blood Flow Monitoring Researchers at University of California San Diago have developed a postage-stamp sized ultrasound patch that can continuously monitor three-dimensional cerebral blood flow in real time. The technology is worn on the temple and is composed of silicon embedded with several layers of soft, stretchy electronics that produce and enhance ultrasound signals. Currently, a technician uses a Doppler ultrasound device on a patient’s head at specific times each day to monitor blood flow. That procedure has limits because such measurements can vary depending on the accuracy of the technician and data can fluctuate between readings.  The device is connected by cables to a computer and uses ultra-fast imaging and AI to collect and post-process data about the brain’s blood vessels. Patients who are undergoing and recovering from brain surgery could benefit from the device and it’s hoped that the continuous monitoring could tell if a patient is about to experience a stroke and provide an opportunity for timely intervention. VC Investors are always adjusting their "Play Book" with a variety of options for investing. Mikal Ventures is one of those alternatives, offering curated solutions to real world problems. Reach out if you have questions on how we can be of assistance and bookmark https://mikalventures.com/ for additional insights and information.

Great sales and business development opportunities at Avalon.AI. See below…

Amazing set of sales roles at Avalon.AI both leaders and individual contributors. Great opportunity for folks with knowledge of the employer / payer / tpa markets. Looking for relationship builders with a track record of success working with employers, consultants and brokers on a new series of offerings that help patients find the care they need from key providers. Everyone with a strong passion for changing the health care status quo are welcome.

Christopher Malter is #hiring. Know anyone who might be interested?

This week Mikal Ventures brings you a 4-week breakdown of the non-US capital market with an emphasis on the Mikal verticals. Over the 4-week period ending May 29, a total of 1,545 new companies were added, with 101,688 companies included in the non-US Health Tech, Med Tech, Fin Tech, AI Tech, and Ed Tech verticals. The non-US AI Tech saw the greatest percentage growth in new companies for the period, weighing in at a notable 27%, nearly two times the overall vertical average of 15%. The non-US Heath Tech vertical led the group in transactions. Non-US Med Tech vertical lead in both SEC Filings and news articles. Mikal Ventures publishes these stats on a rolling 4-week basis to provide a perspective on how the verticals and new startups move through time. We hope you find them informative and thought-provoking. VC Investors are always adjusting their "Play Book" with a variety of options for investing. Mikal Ventures is one of those alternatives, offering curated solutions to real world problems. Reach out if you have questions on how we can be of assistance and bookmark https://mikalventures.com/ for additional insights and information.