Mense is a period product company with a mission to provide a comfortable, safe and working solution for people with periods. Founded in 2022 by California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) biomedical engineering graduate McCall Brinskele, Mense aims to destigmatize menstruation and elevate the conversation surrounding this essential aspect of reproductive health.

While Brinskele was taking a course at Cal Poly focusing on biomedical engineering in women’s health, her sister was diagnosed with endometriosis and uterine fibroids. The reality of female reproductive health conditions and Brinskele’s learning of the lack of coverage in the women’s health space inspired Brinskele to create a platform addressing this underrecognized topic.

“I first began working on this company as part of my interdisciplinary senior design project, which was a wonderful experience,” says Brinskele. “It’s awesome that Cal Poly has the ability for students to work with other disciplines outside of their major.”

Mense quickly earned a spot in the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s (CIE) 2022 Summer Accelerator, a 12-week intensive program where Cal Poly students and recent graduates transform their business ideas into startups with the help of a $10,000 seed fund and local resources.

After completing the Summer Accelerator, Mense joined the Cal Poly CIE Incubator program,which helps early-stage startups develop into financially secure and scalable enterprises providing entrepreneurs with mentorship, funding opportunities and other resources over two years.

“The Incubator is the next step of growth for companies that are moving from just an idea and a product to incorporating and taking on investment,” says Brinskele.

The program has connected Mense to business professionals in various fields, including Novocuff, a graduated Incubator company also focused on female reproductive health, which has been an asset for Mense.

“Dr. Christopher Heylman is a personal mentor to our company. His advice has been absolutely crucial when it comes to our prototyping and securing non-dilutive funding. Kelly Sooter is another wonderful marketing consultant that we work with,” says Brinskele. 

In May 2024, Brinskele brought Mense to the seventh annual AngelCon competition, where six tech startups compete for over $100,000 in equity funding. After pitching to an audience of 250 attendees and over 20 angel investors, Mense received a $50,000 investment. 

Photo by Ruby Wallau for SBDC

“The Incubator played a crucial role in helping us prepare for AngelCon,” remarks Brinskele. “We heavily leaned on all of our consultants when it came to pitch prep and making sure everything was together, and the boot camp was an absolutely amazing experience.”

As an entrepreneur who has utilized several programs offered by Cal Poly and the CIE, including lecturing for classes in the Orfalea College of Business, Brinskele is always looking for growth. She encourages new entrepreneurs to do the same, by being unafraid to ask questions and never fear failure.

“For anyone who’s applying to the Incubator program, I would say go for it. Lean into your connections. You never know who’s going to be helping you in the future.”

Mense is currently working with manufacturers on a final design for their menstrual cup and applicator product and will graduate from the Incubator program in 202

Navigating a startup is difficult without guidance from seasoned professionals, which is what makes the California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) Entrepreneurs-In-Residence (EIRs) crucial to the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). These EIRs volunteer their time and expertise to help young businesses thrive. 

Five EIRs have been helping 30 young entrepreneurs throughout the Summer Accelerator, an intensive 12-week program that provides Cal Poly students and recent graduates with the resources necessary to turn their innovative ideas into full-fledged startups. 

Lori Jordan has over 20 years of experience helping startups and large organizations with go-to-market strategies and product launches. Since starting her mentorship journey in 2012, Jordan became the CIE’s Director of Student Innovation Programs in 2015, where she ran the program, including the Accelerator, until 2018. She continues to mentor teams for both Innovation Quest (iQ) and the Summer Accelerator. 

Barry Lieberman brings over 40 years of experience, specializing in customer and market development, business formation and business growth. Since becoming an EIR in 2020, Lieberman has helped Accelerator teams navigate the complexities of building and scaling their businesses. His expertise ensures that startups are equipped to thrive in competitive markets. He also teaches entrepreneurship classes at Cal Poly’s Orfalea College of Business.

Jim Elliston, with over 20 years of experience, assists Accelerator teams with branding, design and product development. Since 2016, Elliston has leveraged his extensive background in product design and entrepreneurship, helping startups bring products from conception to market. His passion for crafting beautiful experiences and leading teams to build exceptional products has made him an invaluable EIR. 

Dan Weeks has over 32 years of experience, particularly in Software as a Service (SaaS) and software development. Having mentored since 2013, Weeks has worked with over 100 businesses and early-stage companies. With seven years of SaaS experience and 25 years at HP, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the table and helps startups develop robust software solutions and navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship.  

Jim Finwick has dedicated over 30 years to customer, business model and pitch development. Finwick has mentored since 2015 and combines his leadership coaching experience with a passion for helping people realize their full potential. He has worked with top leaders, entrepreneurs, and business owners and uses that experience to help Accelerator teams focus on storytelling, connecting with the voice of their customer.

These individuals are more than just mentors, and the eight startups in the Accelerator would not be where they are without their Friday morning pitch feedback sessions or private one-on-ones. The CIE is deeply grateful for each and every one of our EIRs. 

About the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship:

The CIE opens a world of entrepreneurial opportunity to Cal Poly students, faculty and community members and promotes entrepreneurial activity and dialogue across the university and throughout San Luis Obispo County. For more information, visit cie.calpoly.edu.  

# # #

A chance meeting of two young immigrants fueled not only a lifelong friendship, but a deep-rooted entrepreneurial spirit. 

Oleksandr Gorpynich and Matan Kedar immigrated to the U.S. from Ukraine and Israel, respectively, as 10-year-olds. They met in middle school and bonded over their shared backgrounds and passion for science and technology. 

As they began exploring the world of innovation together, they discovered a challenge that both of their home countries faced: drone identification on the battlefield. This realization led to the creation of Skymark Systems. 

Skymark Systems is developing a handheld device that helps soldiers determine whether a drone is friendly or foe. By using advanced radio frequency technology and military-grade encryption, their device can accurately identify small and medium-sized drones in real time, addressing a critical need in modern warfare. 

The idea for their startup was born out of Gorpynich and Kedar’s personal experiences and deep understanding of the conflicts in their home countries. 

“We looked into the wars in both of our homes and discovered that soldiers often can’t identify drones. We believed we could engineer something to fix this,” Kedar explained. 

Gorpynich and Kedar’s unique backgrounds have proven invaluable to their startup’s development, they said. 

“We’re already talking to soldiers on the ground through our connections about the prototype. Ultimately, this will tell us if the tool is useful,” Gorpynich said. 

Their internal connections have played a significant role in Skymark’s progress, but equally critical is the wide variety of skills each team member brings to the table. 

Kedar, a computer engineering junior at San Jose State University, serves as the CEO of Skymark Systems. Before this, he spent a year and a half working in embedded systems for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). 

Gorpynich, a computer science junior at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), is the CTO of Skymark Systems and brings over a year of experience as a software engineer for Amazon. 

Joining Gorpynich and Kedar is Vasanth Pugalenthi, a computer science junior at Cal Poly who works as Skymark’s Business Lead.

Pugalenthi has founded several apps, worked as a software developer on various projects and is currently a generative artificial intelligence (AI) intern for Ryght. 

“I decided to join Skymark because I believe in the team and their vision. They are committed to making this happen,” Pugalenthi said. “It ensures that they aren’t going to give up; to me, the team is more important than the idea.” 

The team recognized that they needed more resources to bring Skymark to life, which led them to apply for the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s (CIE) Summer Accelerator program, an intensive 12-week program that provides Cal Poly students and recent graduates with the resources necessary to turn their innovative ideas into full-fledged startups. 

Participants receive $10,000 in seed funding, as well as access to expert mentorship, entrepreneurial workshops and a dedicated workspace in the HotHouse, the CIE’s office located in downtown San Luis Obispo.

“We realized we desperately needed the resources to get a working prototype that we can ship to people,” Gorpynich said. “I talked to a few previous participants who also encouraged us to apply.” 

According to the U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Michael Pruden, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have been mistakenly shooting down nearly half of their own drones — a problem that Skymark aims to solve with their innovative technology.  

“There are currently some existing solutions to the problem we are tackling, but none of them, at least how we look at it, look as good as ours,” Kedar explained. “We have patent-pending status on both of our devices, and we believe what makes us special is the device, the solution and our team.”

Skymark is set to begin testing their product in Ukraine. Eventually, they hope to make their device universal and integrable for potential sale to the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). 

From their shared history of immigration to their collaboration as startup founders, Gorpynich and Kedar are using their skills to address a critical issue close to home. 

About the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship:

The CIE opens a world of entrepreneurial opportunity to Cal Poly students, faculty and community members and promotes entrepreneurial activity and dialogue across the university and throughout San Luis Obispo County. For more information, visit cie.calpoly.edu.  

# # #

Technology is at the forefront of our society, driving continuous progress and innovation. However, this rapid advancement has led to a growing problem: electronic waste. As devices become obsolete at an alarming rate, the question of what happens to them after their use becomes increasingly urgent. 

A group of four California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) students is developing a solution to tackle this issue. 

Their startup, GreenSight Tech, is dedicated to promoting a circular economy for electronics. By leveraging artificial intelligence (AI)-driven automation, they aim to help electronic refurbishers and resellers efficiently process, redistribute and remarket used devices — keeping them out of landfills and making technology accessible to all. 

The startup began in the entrepreneurial senior project class led by the Center for Innovation and Entreprenurship’s (CIE) Academic Programs Director, Dr. Thomas Katona. When researching what they wanted to focus on, they discovered how electronic waste is a massive problem that is growing rapidly. 

“The rate at which electronics are being produced is outpacing the rate at which they’re being responsibly recycled by five times in the last ten years. We immediately knew we wanted to see if there was something that could be done about it,” CTO Diego Curiel (computer engineering, ‘24) explained. 

Co-founders of GreenSight from top to bottom: Jake Daniels, Mackenzie Kettwig, Chris Lawson, Diego Curiel

The team behind GreenSight is a diverse group of technical experts who share a passion for environmental sustainability. 

Jake Daniels (general engineering, ‘24) is the CEO of GreenSight, and spearheads customer development while working closely with potential early adopters. 

As CTO, Curiel assists Daniels with customer development and oversees the generative AI and computer vision workflows. 

Chris Lawson (computer science, ‘24) serves as the team’s Engineering Lead, designing the system architecture for their products while leading a group of four software engineer interns. 

Mackenzie Kettwig (computer engineering, ‘24) is the newest member of the team and is GreenSight’s Product Manager, bridging the gap between the engineering and business sides of the startup. 

Coming out of senior project, the team decided to participate in the CIE’s Innovation Quest (iQ), a high-stakes competition where Cal Poly students pitch their innovative business ideas to a panel of judges in the hopes of winning funding for their startups. 

iQ gave them valuable experience in pitching their ideas which led them to apply for the CIE’s Summer Accelerator, an intensive 12-week program that provides Cal Poly students and recent graduates with the resources necessary to turn their innovative ideas into full-fledged startups. 

Participants receive $10,000 in seed funding, as well as access to expert mentorship, entrepreneurial workshops and a dedicated workspace in the HotHouse, the CIE’s office located in downtown San Luis Obispo.

“The support that the Accelerator offers has been crucial in taking our business to the next level,” said Daniels. 

For Curiel, his Accelerator experience can be best described with one word — fun!

“It’s a lot of work and it’s tiring, but it’s really exciting. We are creating something that is meaningful and valuable. Being able to wake up every day and know that I’m going to spend my time putting energy into something that will bring good into the world makes me really happy,” Curiel said.

GreenSight’s innovation lies in its use of artificial intelligence to revolutionize how electronic devices are processed after they’ve been discarded. 

“None of our competitors, or really anyone in this space, is using AI to solve their problems,” Lawson explained. “They’re using old systems that could be working faster and processing more devices to keep them out of landfills with the technology we’re bringing to the market.” 

As the startup works towards delivering an early version of their software products to initial customers, their long-term vision is to actively reshape the electronics industry by reducing the number of devices that end up in landfills and promote sustainability, said Daniels. 

GreenSight’s camaraderie fuels their collective drive to tackle the pressing issue of electronic waste and sets a new standard for how technology and AI can be used to create a better, more sustainable future. 

“We are the team to solve this problem because we all really care about the environment. It’s part of the passion for our project and it’s what keeps us coming to work everyday,” Kettwig said. 

About the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship:

The CIE opens a world of entrepreneurial opportunity to Cal Poly students, faculty and community members and promotes entrepreneurial activity and dialogue across the university and throughout San Luis Obispo County. For more information, visit cie.calpoly.edu.  

# # #

In the world of startups where collaboration and teamwork often take center stage, California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) mechanical engineer Alex Rosenbaum stands as a solo entrepreneur. As the sole founder of NeuroCom, Rosenbaum is not only developing a wearable device but is also mastering the multifaceted role that comes with running a startup by himself. 

NeuroCom is developing a wearable tactile interface device designed to enhance communication and situational awareness for military personnel, law enforcement officers and firefighters. 

His startup came to fruition after learning about the field of sensory substitution, the process of substituting or augmenting one sense by replacing it with stimulation from another sense. 

“I wanted to find applications for this technology in ways that can help people,” Rosenbaum explained. 

NeuroCom stands out in its field as the only product that uses tactile and haptic sense to communicate location information. 

As a mechanical engineering student, Rosenbaum didn’t initially envision himself as an entrepreneur. His journey began unexpectedly when he participated in the Cal Poly Biomedical Make-a-Thon, which opened him up to the world of startup opportunities on campus, he recalled. 

Sponsored by the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), the Biomedical Make-a-Thon provides students with the opportunity to work in teams of 4-6 designers and commercializers to research, develop, design and present a solution to a medical problem in a fast-paced, three-day event. 

Rosenbaum participated in this event twice and won both times for his unique and innovative ideas. These ranged from a biometric scanning device for fast, non-contact readings of blood pressure, glucose and heart rates to an ear-mounted device that detects fainting in people with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). 

This experience built a strong foundation for his entrepreneurial journey and led him to apply for the CIE’s Innovation Quest (iQ), a high-stakes competition where Cal Poly students pitch their innovative business ideas to a panel of judges in the hopes of winning funding for their startups. 

Founder of NeuroCom, Alex Rosenbaum. Photo by Ruby Wallau

After pitching two different startup ideas at iQ, one of which being NeuroCom, Rosenbaum decided to take the next steps to turn his concept into a real business through the CIE Summer Accelerator.

The Accelerator is an intensive 12-week program that provides Cal Poly students and recent graduates with the resources necessary to turn their innovative ideas into full-fledged startups. 

Participants receive $10,000 in seed funding, as well as access to expert mentorship, entrepreneurial workshops and a dedicated workspace in the HotHouse, the CIE’s office located in downtown San Luis Obispo.

“I was inspired to apply for the Summer Accelerator because I wanted to take my business to the next level, from initial prototype to nailing down and validating my target market,” Rosenbaum explained. 

Despite the obstacles that solopreneurs face without having a full team to rely on, Rosenbaum has made significant strides in advancing NeuroCom with the support of the CIE. 

“Because I’m a mechanical engineer, transitioning into the business side of a startup has been challenging. It wouldn’t be possible without all the resources from the Hatchery and CIE that you can access before you’re in the Accelerator program and without taking any classes at all,” he said. 

The Hatchery is an on-campus startup incubator that provides student entrepreneurs with the resources to launch a business idea. 

Not only has he utilized the resources that the CIE offers, but the community within the Accelerator cohort. “It’s been so important to talk to other people in the Accelerator program and bounce my ideas off them,” said Rosenbaum. He explained that as a solo founder, having other entrepreneurs around has been essential to his experience. 

Rosenbaum recently began working with contractor and Cal Poly alumnus Colin Brown (economics, ‘23) to delegate certain tasks, allowing him to focus on his priorities and ensure the business is headed in the right direction, he said. 

Rosenbaum’s ambition with NeuroCom extends beyond developing a wearable device, but contributes to a future where technology enhances human capabilities. His pursuit of this goal showcases the potential of solopreneurs in shaping the future.

About the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship:

The CIE opens a world of entrepreneurial opportunity to Cal Poly students, faculty and community members and promotes entrepreneurial activity and dialogue across the university and throughout San Luis Obispo County. For more information, visit cie.calpoly.edu.  

# # #

Recent California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) business entrepreneurship graduate Austin Hatfield witnessed his longtime best friend fall into a video game addiction. When it escalated to gambling, the situation worsened, and their friendship couldn’t survive the fallout. 

Experiencing this loss ignited a passionate drive in Hatfield to create a solution to the pervasive issue of addiction, leading to the birth of MindSprout. 

MindSprout is a startup focused on helping gambling addicts replace their destructive habits with healthier ones through a gamified approach that incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy. Their app aims to provide daily accountability and resources at users’ fingertips. 

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), cognitive behavioral therapy is a psychological treatment proven effective for various issues including depression, anxiety and substance abuse through self-help strategies. It is often as effective, or more effective, than other therapies or medications. 

Hatfield, MindSprout’s co-founder and CPO, teamed up with recent Cal Poly computer science and business entrepreneurship graduate Diana Koralski, who now leads the company as CEO. Their partnership began in January when Hatfield approached Koralski with the startup idea.

Koralski and Hatfield met through the Hatchery, an on-campus startup incubator that provides student entrepreneurs with the resources to launch a business idea. 

From left to right: Austin Hatfield, Diana Koralski

What was supposed to be a brief meeting between Koralski and Hatfield turned into a two-hour conversation. Their collaboration was further solidified during Camp PolyHacks where they worked seamlessly together.

Camp PolyHacks is a three-day event where Cal Poly students work in teams to ideate, design, pitch and market their solution to a problem facing the San Luis Obispo community. 

Shortly after Camp PolyHacks, MindSprout competed in the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s (CIE) Innovation Quest (iQ), a high-stakes competition where Cal Poly students pitch their innovative business ideas to a panel of judges in the hopes of winning funding for their startups. 

The startup received the second place award of $10,000. “Competing in Innovation Quest really validated our vision that this problem is real and people are invested in it,” said Koralski. 

Encouraged by the financial support and validation of iQ, they applied for the CIE’s Summer Accelerator, an intensive 12-week program that provides Cal Poly students and recent graduates with the resources necessary to turn their innovative ideas into full-fledged startups. 

Participants in the Accelerator receive $10,000 in seed funding, as well as access to expert mentorship, entrepreneurial workshops and a dedicated workspace in the HotHouse, the CIE’s office located in downtown San Luis Obispo.

MindSprout is initially targeting gambling addiction but plans to expand its scope to address other addictions and mental health challenges, such as anxiety and depression.

This startup stands out in the mental health market by breaking the stigma surrounding therapy.

“What makes us unique is that we won’t look, feel or function like a traditional mental health or therapy app. It’ll be something that just fits into your hand and fits into your life,” Hatfield explained. 

MindSprout’s innovative approach, combining cognitive behavioral therapy with a gamified user experience, aims to revolutionize addiction treatment by making it accessible, engaging and supportive, ultimately helping individuals reclaim their lives from addiction. 

“Through the Summer Accelerator, my customer development research has really connected me to the problem and makes me more passionate about solving it. That’s why I come here and do this every day,” said Koralski. 

About the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship:

The CIE opens a world of entrepreneurial opportunity to Cal Poly students, faculty and community members and promotes entrepreneurial activity and dialogue across the university and throughout San Luis Obispo County. For more information, visit cie.calpoly.edu.  

# # #

In the startup world, it’s widely accepted that passion is a key ingredient for success. Some mentors may ask young entrepreneurs to dig deep and find the passion that drives their work. 

For recent computer science master’s graduate from California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) Lucas Li, this question doesn’t require much introspection. His startup, ONGAWA, is a direct manifestation of his greatest passions. 

ONGAWA is breaking new ground in the gaming world by creating a fusion game that combines rhythm gaming with role-playing elements. Not only does ONGAWA offer a unique gaming experience, it also supports indie musicians by showcasing and monetizing their work. 

“I am a gamer, a musician and an anime enthusiast, so I wanted to create something that I would really enjoy working on,” Li explained. 

His journey began when he teamed up with Brett Hickman, a recent Cal Poly computer science graduate, and the CTO of ONGAWA. Having already collaborated on several gaming projects in the past, their shared passions led to the development of their startup. 

“We both love gaming and we both love music, so we decided to merge the two and create ONGAWA,” Hickman shared. 

In the fall of 2023, Li pitched this startup at the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s (CIE) Elevator Pitch Competition where students of any major can pitch their innovative product, service and startup ideas in 90 seconds for the chance to win cash prizes. 

“As a computer science major, I was accustomed to describing the full technical side of things, often overlooking the business perspective such as the demand for a product,” Li said. “Since the Elevator Pitch was my first exposure to business, I learned to convey my idea in simple terms and quickly capture people’s interest.” 

Li explained that the Elevator Pitch Competition validated his startup idea and encouraged him to apply for the CIE’s Summer Accelerator program, an intensive 12-week program that provides Cal Poly students and recent graduates with the resources necessary to turn their innovative ideas into full-fledged startups. 

Participants in the Accelerator receive $10,000 in seed funding, as well as access to expert mentorship, entrepreneurial workshops and a dedicated workspace in the HotHouse, the CIE’s office located in downtown San Luis Obispo.

Li recognized the team’s strength in coding and programming skills, but the need for work on the business development side of ONGAWA. He hopes to further learn and develop this aspect of his startup from the Accelerator’s resources and mentorship, he said. 

From left to right: Jeremy Tai, Lucas Li, Brett Hickman

As co-founder and CEO, Li is responsible for hiring, project management and maintaining the overall vision of the game. He also helps manage communication between various internal teams such as game development and web development. 

As co-founder and CTO, Hickman leads a team of four in game development by hosting workshops throughout the week to help build the foundation of the game. 

Joining Li and Hickman are senior business administration students at Cal Poly, Jeremy Tai and Pedro Talavera. 

Tai acts as the company’s Business Lead and focuses on customer development. 

Talavera is ONGAWA’s Marketing Lead, focusing on the social media marketing aspect of the startup and connecting with potential music and art collaborators.

In the next three months, the team hopes to have a fully built Minimum Viable Product (MVP) of the game as well as a fully functional website. They are also planning to work with gamers to gather feedback on the demo and interview musicians and graphic artists to enhance the game’s visuals. 

Looking ahead, ONGAWA’s vision includes releasing a prototype of the game by the end of the Accelerator program. In the next five years, they want to create a polished and immersive role-playing experience.

What sets ONGAWA apart is best described by CEO Li. “ONGAWA is a merge between a traditional rhythm game and RPG elements, which is a big market. We also support indie musicians by collaborating with them and paying per stream,” Li stated. 

By integrating indie music, ONGAWA not only provides a platform for emerging artists but also enriches the gaming experience with original soundtracks and design.

ONGAWA is making a significant impact in the gaming industry, offering a fresh and engaging way to experience music, art and gameplay. 

About the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship:

The CIE opens a world of entrepreneurial opportunity to Cal Poly students, faculty and community members and promotes entrepreneurial activity and dialogue across the university and throughout San Luis Obispo County. For more information, visit cie.calpoly.edu.  

# # #

When recent California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) biomedical engineering graduate Jenna Eissmann first shared her startup with her friends, she had no idea how deeply it would resonate. 

She described her startup, Infantry Obstetrics, and their mission to prevent shoulder dystocia injuries. Shoulder dystocia is a condition where a baby’s shoulder gets stuck during childbirth, often resulting in serious injuries like clavicle fractures and brachial plexus injury. 

To Eissmann’s surprise, she discovered one of her good friends suffered from shoulder dystocia as a baby and subsequently had her collarbone broken by the doctor in order to be delivered. 

That moment made Eissmann’s work proudly personal. 

“Hearing about the struggles my friend went through to recover from her injury made me realize the real-world impact our innovation could have,” Eissmann said. “I see the effects of this condition today and can’t wait to see what our solution can do in the future.” 

Infantry Obstetrics, founded on the principle of transforming women’s health, is driven by stories like these. For Eissmann, her friend’s experience serves as a powerful reminder of why their work matters and fuels their dedication to creating a safer future for mothers and babies alike. 

Infantry Obstetrics is creating a new method to treat shoulder dystocia with their handheld device. Their device works with the mother’s anatomy to gently wrap around the infant’s upper body.

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA: (From left to right: Jenna Eissmann, Rachel Rowe, Maddie Mumford) The Infantry during Cal Poly’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) CIE Summer Accelerator photo session on June 06, 2024 in San Luis Obispo, California. Photo by Ruby Wallau for CIE

“Maddie Mumford, Rachel Rowe and I were all in the same senior project group. After working together for two quarters, we realized we work really well together – and we like each other! We knew we had something here, so we wanted to continue developing this device,” said Eissmann. 

Biomedical engineering graduate and co-founder Rachel Rowe holds a part-time remote position as COO, supporting from a logistical standpoint and helping with research. 

Biomedical engineering graduate and co-founder Maddie Mumford works in a hybrid remote position full-time as CFO and focuses on research, financial projection forecasts and their regulatory strategy. Mumford will be pursuing her master’s in biomedical engineering at Cal Poly in the fall of 2024. 

Eissmann holds a full-time in-person position as CEO and is in charge of handling programming, running in-person testing with the device and catching Rowe and Mumford up to speed on the day-to-day happenings. Eissmann will be pursuing her master’s in engineering management at Cal Poly in fall 2024. 

The team joined the Center for Innovation and Entreprenuership’s (CIE) Summer Accelerator program because, as engineers, they felt confident in the design and technical aspects of building their startup, but needed support with the business-side, they said. 

The Accelerator is an intensive 12-week program that provides Cal Poly students and recent graduates with the resources necessary to turn their innovative ideas into full-fledged startups. 

Participants in the Accelerator receive $10,000 in seed funding, as well as access to expert mentorship, entrepreneurial workshops and a dedicated workspace in the HotHouse, the CIE’s office located in downtown San Luis Obispo. 

Currently, the only methods to address shoulder dystocia involve hand maneuvers, which have a 58% failure rate and lack a standardized approach, Eissmann explained. Infantry Obstetrics is working to change this with their device.

Infantry Obstetrics is currently in the product development phase and is consulting with obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) partners to gather feedback and refine their design. 

In the future, the team hopes to finalize their product design, test the device in real-world settings, apply for a patent, attract investors and form a corporation. 

“While the numbers don’t seem incredibly common, shoulder dystocia affects more people than you’d expect,” Eissmann explained. “It’s 2024. Women’s health really needs an intervention to help both mothers and babies. Our device is something that’s made for women by women, and I think that’s really powerful.” 

About the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship:

The CIE opens a world of entrepreneurial opportunity to Cal Poly students, faculty and community members and promotes entrepreneurial activity and dialogue across the university and throughout San Luis Obispo County. For more information, visit cie.calpoly.edu.  

# # #

Concussions are far more widespread and severe than most realize. Shockingly, 50% of concussions go undetected, despite the fact that there are 3.8 million sport-related concussions annually in the United States alone, according to the University of Michigan. 

The same study also explains that globally, 12 concussions occur every second and $1,522 is spent on concussion care every second. 

While occasional incidents make headlines, countless athletes, from youth leagues to professional sports, endure the lasting effects of brain injuries. 

ODIN is dedicated to addressing this critical issue head-on by using innovative technology to revolutionize athlete safety. 

Founded during a California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) senior project class, ODIN aims to mitigate the compounding effects of brain injuries in athletes participating in impact sports. Their primary product is a sideline-ready headset that provides objective and transparent concussion assessments in minutes.

Their mission is deeply personal for Cal Poly economics and entrepreneurship graduate Connor Heffler, the CEO of ODIN and former football player, who has firsthand experience with the devastating impact of concussions on athletes.

“I’ve felt the effects of concussions and seen many of my teammates affected by them, so this is something very close to my heart,” Heffler shared. 

Under the encouragement of their senior project advisor and the CIE Academic Programs Director, Dr. Thomas Katona, ODIN applied to the CIE’s Innovation Quest, a high stakes competition where Cal Poly students pitch their innovative business ideas and prototypes to a panel of judges in hopes of winning thousands to fund their startup. 

ODIN received the first-place award of $15,000, and used this attention and funding to continue developing their startup through the CIE’s Summer Accelerator program, an intensive 12-week program that provides Cal Poly students and recent graduates with the resources necessary to turn their innovative ideas into full-fledged startups. 

Participants in the Accelerator receive $10,000 in seed funding, as well as access to expert mentorship, entrepreneurial workshops and a dedicated workspace in the HotHouse, the CIE’s office located in downtown San Luis Obispo.

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA: ODIN during Cal Poly’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) CIE Summer Accelerator photo session on June 06, 2024 in San Luis Obispo, California. Photo by Ruby Wallau for CIE

The team behind ODIN is composed of several dedicated individuals, each bringing a unique skill set to the startup. “I knew I couldn’t develop ODIN on my own. I recruited engineers dedicated to making a real difference, not just building something cool,” Heffler explained. 

Josh Gottschalk, a fourth year biomedical engineer at Cal Poly, serves as ODIN’s COO and oversees regulatory work and competitor patent infringement. 

Noah Cain, recent Cal Poly graduate in computer science, acts as one of their Machine Learning and Software Engineers and ensures the headset is as accurate and precise as possible. 

Marina Zellers, a biomedical engineering master’s student at Cal Poly, acts as ODIN’s Biomedical Engineer and maintains accurate concussion diagnosis and compliance with FDA regulations. 

Seth Saxena, a third year engineer at Cal Poly, is ODIN’s Lead Electrical Engineer and focuses on redesigning the headset’s hardware setup and developing the computer vision code. 

Sarah Duncan, the newest member of the team, is a computer science master’s student at Cal Poly and acts as their Machine Learning and Software Engineer, working alongside Cain to create precise models for detecting concussions. 

As the CEO, Heffler oversees everything from customer development to pitching to investors. 

ODIN hopes to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of their device, eventually bringing it to the market to enhance the safety of athletes at all levels. 

“Our goal is to have this headset on every sideline, from youth sports to professional leagues, reaching millions of athletes and other individuals who suffer from concussions,” Heffler explained.

The team is already in talks with The National Football League (NFL) Head, Neck, and Spine Committee and NFL team physicians, targeting the broader sports community. 

Currently, the primary option for concussion assessment is the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT), a questionnaire filled out by players. However, players might lie to get back on the field, leading to long-term issues like traumatic brain injuries or memory loss. The team recognizes the preexisting solution’s limitations and the dire need for a more effective and user-friendly option, they said. 

“Unlike our competitors, it will be a non-invasive product that will be perfect for sideline use as it will be completely portable and ready to give concussion assessments in minutes,” said Gottschalk. 

ODIN’s mission to elevate athlete safety through innovation is more than just a business endeavor, but a pursuit of passion to protect the future of athletes.

About the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship:

The CIE opens a world of entrepreneurial opportunity to Cal Poly students, faculty and community members and promotes entrepreneurial activity and dialogue across the university and throughout San Luis Obispo County. For more information, visit cie.calpoly.edu.  

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In the world of startups, it’s extra special to find a team that is not only a cohesive unit of innovators but also a close-knit group of friends. For the founders of SafePlate Technologies, this unique dynamic is their everyday reality. 

This startup aims to revolutionize the allergen testing industry by simplifying the process for food manufacturers. 

Not only are they a team of entrepreneurs, but they are best friends and roommates, each with a unique entrepreneurial spirit nurtured from a young age. 

Avery Taylor, the CTO of SafePlate and a recent California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) graduate in computer engineering now pursuing a master’s in electrical engineering, developed his entrepreneurial skills throughout his childhood. Growing up with a single mom who worked two jobs, he learned to be self-sufficient early on by selling various items at school. 

“It’s been instilled in me that you can’t just depend on someone else giving you money, you have to earn it,” Taylor shared. His journey has shown him his ultimate goal: to use his skills and expertise to improve people’s lives. 

Nahal Sadgehian, the CEO of SafePlate, has a similar story of entrepreneurial roots. A mechanical engineering graduate with a minor in entrepreneurship, Sadeghian had several mini businesses starting at the age of five, including a knitting shop in Iran before moving to America. 

Sadgehian’s family history is steeped in entrepreneurship, with both of her parents running their own businesses. 

Her immigrant experience fuels her drive for success. “After both of my parents moved here, they had to completely start from scratch. My mom built up her own business and it is super successful now, so for me to be here, I feel like I have to prove I am doing my parents justice by pursuing entrepreneurship,” Sadgehian said. 

Josh Chao, CFO of SafePlate and recent Cal Poly business administration graduate, comes from four generations of entrepreneurs: his great grandfather sold cattle in China, his grandfather owned a tire factory, and his father worked as an entrepreneur in America. Despite facing a significant barrier in his early years due to a stutter, Chao transformed this challenge into a source of inspiration. 

His journey from a child who could barely speak to now pitching in front of large audiences is a testament to his perseverance. “I’m showing the world that I can overcome challenges. I’ve always wanted to inspire people and show them they can do it as well,” Chao stated. 

Mitchell Dann, the COO of SafePlate and recent Cal Poly graduate in mechanical engineering, discovered his appreciation for business and entrepreneurship in high school where he had a custom T-shirt business that eventually turned into an LLC. 

“Ultimately, I couldn’t pursue it due to taking 4 AP classes, an engineering class, jazz band and marching band my senior year,” Dann said. However, this was not the end of Dann’s entrepreneurial endeavors, as he had a successful bicycle repair business in his dorm during his freshman year of college. 

After several internships and other various career opportunities, Dann found that the corporate cubicle life wasn’t for him and the startup world was the only place that allowed him to take an idea from scratch and turn it into something impactful. 

Co-founders of SafePlate Technologies (left to right): Avery Taylor, Mitchell Dann, Nahal Sadeghian and Josh Chao.

All four founders began working together during a senior project group led by Dr. Thomas Katona, the Cal Poly Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship’s (CIE) Academic Programs Director. They shared a common goal of improving the food industry in America and instantly clicked upon meeting. 

SafePlate’s innovative technology uses spectroscopy to scan for proteins within allergen structures, analyzing how light interacts with matter to understand a material’s properties. FTIR spectroscopy, a specific technique using mid-infrared light, identifies a material’s unique “fingerprint” based on its absorption pattern.

The personal connection to food safety hits close to home for Chao and Dann, whose parents have severe allergies that require extra attention when eating at home and at restaurants. This, along with speaking to other people with severe allergies, influenced the team to delve into the allergen spectrum of the food industry and develop a solution that ensures everyone can enjoy a safe meal. 

“It got to the point where we got frustrated because we can send rockets to the moon but we still don’t really know what’s in our food,” said Taylor. 

SafePlate participated in Cal Poly CIE’s Innovation Quest earlier this year, a high stakes competition where Cal Poly students pitch their innovative business ideas and prototypes to a panel of judges in hopes of winning thousands to fund their startup.

This experience led them to apply to the Cal Poly CIE Summer Accelerator, an intensive 12-week program that provides Cal Poly students and recent graduates with the resources necessary to turn their innovative ideas into full-fledged startups. Participants in the Accelerator receive $10,000 in seed funding, as well as access to expert mentorship, entrepreneurial workshops and a dedicated workspace in the HotHouse, the CIE’s office located in downtown San Luis Obispo.

“We saw a big gap in the market and saw how we could use this emerging technology of combining AI and spectroscopy. We also had to take advantage of this opportunity under the guidance offered in the Accelerator,” said Dann. 

Each founder brings unique skills to the startup. Dann focuses on mechanical design and research, Taylor specializes in AI and programming, Chao handles customer development and branding and Sadeghian’s dual expertise in entrepreneurship and mechanical engineering allows her to help in all areas of the company.

“She’s the glue that holds us all together. She has strengths in the marketing/business side and also the technical side – that’s why she is in the best position to be the CEO,” said Taylor. 

The startup is currently focused on solving the problem of gluten detection in flour with hopes of expanding and developing a machine that tests for all nine major allergens (milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, soybeans and sesame). They also anticipate their technology will bring allergy-free food prices down with fewer recalls and fewer allergic reactions. 

What sets them apart from their competitors is their commitment to creating a reusable and easy-to-use allergen testing solution. While other companies spend a significant amount of money and labor to complete testing, SafePlate wants to empower more manufacturers to scan for all the allergens in the most efficient way, they said. 

With their deep-rooted friendships and diverse entrepreneurial backgrounds, the founders of SafePlate Technologies are transforming the food industry one allergen at a time. 

About the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship:

The CIE opens a world of entrepreneurial opportunity to Cal Poly students, faculty and community members and promotes entrepreneurial activity and dialogue across the university and throughout San Luis Obispo County. For more information, visit cie.calpoly.edu.  

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