Technology and media communications – Swanson Reed

Revolutionizing Mortgage Technology: Aidium’s $19 Million Series A Funding

Aidium, Inc., a leading player in the mortgage technology sector, has announced the completion of its $19 million Series A funding round led by PeakSpan Capital.

In a mortgage market marked by challenges, this substantial investment not only underscores PeakSpan’s confidence in Aidium’s mission but also highlights the intrinsic value of its solutions.

In today’s evolving mortgage landscape, loan officers face a critical choice: embrace advanced technological solutions or risk falling behind. PeakSpan Capital’s PropTech team recognizes the pivotal role of next-generation CRM platforms integrated with sales and marketing automation. Aidium stands out as a frontrunner in providing comprehensive solutions for mortgage lenders.

Under the visionary leadership of CEO Spencer Dusebout, Aidium is committed to equipping mortgage lenders with a unified platform that streamlines borrower engagement from start to finish. The platform boasts features such as business intelligence/reporting, data warehousing, pipeline management, and enterprise-grade permissioning, addressing critical market needs with an intuitive interface and robust integration capabilities.

Spencer Dusebout, CEO of Aidium, expressed his excitement about the partnership with PeakSpan Capital, emphasizing the validation of their commitment to innovation and vision for transforming the mortgage industry.

The Series A funding infusion will enable Aidium to further enhance its platform, expand its customer base, and solidify its leadership position in the mortgage technology landscape. With a focus on simplifying processes, driving ROI for clients, and providing unmatched customer support, Aidium is poised for rapid growth and sustained success.

Kyle Reitinger, Vice President of PeakSpan, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing Aidium’s ability to scale revenue and roll out powerful new data products despite the challenges in the mortgage environment. The investment signifies a tremendous opportunity for further innovation in the category, and PeakSpan is committed to supporting Aidium in the years ahead.

Are you developing new technology for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes.

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

Streamlining Video Podcast Production: The Rise of PodcastVideos.com

Podcasting has rapidly grown in popularity in the past few years. Every day we see new podcast ideas popping up, from celebrity talk shows to fitness advice to true crime. PodcastVideos.com is working to meet the needs of these creators, deleting friction from the production and distribution of video podcasts.

Founded by entrepreneur Eric Howerton, the company is reshaping the podcasting landscape by offering professional-level studios and turnkey services tailored to creators of all levels, from aspiring podcasters to Fortune 500 companies.

With PodcastVideos.com, anyone with a podcast idea can book recording time at one of their state-of-the-art studios, starting at an accessible price point. For a comprehensive package including audio and video recording, editing, custom intros, and social media teasers, creators can opt for a membership plan, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish.

What sets PodcastVideos.com apart is its commitment to quality and convenience. The company boasts five studios with different configurations, equipped with pre-lit setups and screens for presentations or branding. Moreover, their efficient workflow ensures a swift turnaround time, with the goal of delivering the final product within 48 hours of production.

Beyond production, PodcastVideos.com offers support in distribution and promotion, helping creators reach their audience across various platforms such as Apple, Google, YouTube, and more. By providing guidance on search engine optimization and marketing strategies, the company empowers creators to maximize their reach and potentially secure sponsorships.

While PodcastVideos.com caters primarily to businesses and professionals, its versatility extends to personal projects as well. From corporate podcasts to family vacation recaps, the studio serves as a creative hub where ideas come to life. This inclusive approach reflects Howerton’s entrepreneurial spirit, honed through years of experience with ventures like “Get Out” magazine and the creative agency WhyteSpyder.

As PodcastVideos.com continues to expand its footprint, with plans to scale into larger metro markets, it represents a beacon of innovation in the podcasting realm. With a bootstrapped foundation and a vision for growth, Howerton’s venture is poised to redefine the way video podcasts are created, shared, and experienced in the digital age.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes.

The National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Office Launch

On January 12th, 2021, after years of reinforcing artificial intelligence (AI) leadership in America, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) created the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Office. AI has been recognized as a key feature of economic growth and security for the future in the United States. The OSTP will lead and manage the AI strategy efforts and will participate in AI research and development of government policy, specifically surrounding privacy, civil rights, and civil liberty.

Along with job and apprentice training in AI and collaboration with international open markets, there is significant emphasis placed on research funding. The government’s budget for 2021 hopes to double funding for AI R&D in hopes of further increasing it in the future as the Nation seeks to establish itself as a competitive leader in AI. R&D projects will include machine learning, improved prediction of extreme weather events, precision agriculture, and synthetic manufacturing, and AI risk assessment frameworks, among others.

Are you developing AI? Did you know your R&D experiments could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes.

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPA’s. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

Loon’s Balloon: Sky High Internet Source

Internet: it’s something most of us use everyday. And when there are outages we feel lost because we rely on it for almost everything. Even though the World Wide Web was only invented in the 1990s, it’s become so entrenched in our day-to-day lives. But there are still some rural areas that don’t have any access for various reasons, one being it’s too expensive. The internet can be sourced from different places, including radio towers, cell providers, satellites, and modems, which are all very expensive equipment and services. But there are companies working to provide innovative ways to reduce these costs, to ensure even remote and isolated areas can access this valuable resource.

Loon is one such company, who has developed a novel approach to solving this problem.. Their method: a high altitude balloon about 11 to 16 miles high to quite literally create a floating internet tower. The balloons are made of lightweight polythene and are filled with helium. Radio hot-spots and LTE networking equipment powered by solar panels are attached to each balloon which will float in the stratosphere for around six months before landing and being collected by Loon. The balloons are also capable of navigating the sky through instruction and by analyzing data collected about air currents and altitude to either maintain or change its current location. The balloons have now flown nearly 24 million miles, with one balloon providing internet to 35,000 people over 31,000 square miles.

Are you developing new technology or an innovative approach to solve a problem? Did you know your R&D experiments could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes.

Molekule Air purifiers: clean air, clever tech

If you look at any news today, ‘air pollution’ is going to be in a major headline, and increasingly, we’re talking about both outside and indoors. ‘Going green’ and ‘eco-friendly’ will be there too. There’s a theme: we all want to live in cleaner air. Californian tech company Molekule is making that a reality with its green air purifying revolution.

Because of his son’s asthma and allergies, Molekule’s Chief Scientist Dr. Yogi Goswami turned to scientific research to find a better way to clean air. That was 1995. Now, more than 20 years later, the company sells one of the top air purifiers on the market, using some of the most ground breaking technology. Molekule sells two purifiers: the Molekule Air purifier is built for rooms up to 600 sqft, and the Molekule Air Mini purifier is ideal for small spaces up to 250 sqft. Not only do they look like something out of a space film, but their technology is almost futuristic.

The tech

The innovative tech is what makes these machine. At the bottom of the filters is a 360° air intake system. From there the pollutants travel up through a pre-filter, where big particles like dust and hair get collected. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs, like acetone from nail polish or benzene from paint or glue) are slowed down. They head upwards to Molekule’s patented Photo Electrochemical Oxidation (PECO) filter.

Here’s where the magic happens.

The PECO system uses free radicals: unstable atoms which have recently been found to participate in mechanisms of anticancer therapy. These free radicle nanoparticles cover the filter and create chemical reactions when light hits. This chemical reaction break down VOCs, bacteria, mold, viruses and allergens. The process creates byproducts of water vapors, carbon dioxide and nitrogen – safe chemicals which are released back into the air.

The big deal

Most air purifiers collect particles, rather than destroying them. Although this helps in the short term, it creates long time issues; when a filter becomes saturated it can perform badly. It can also release those toxins back into the air, deeming the filters redundant. Ozone is another concern – it’s a byproduct created by most filters. We think of ozone in the atmosphere, and while it’s helpful there it’s not so much in our homes. Breathing it in can cause chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, and can even lead to respiratory diseases. Molekule’s filter is a big deal because it destroys particles and it doesn’t product ozone, in fact it reduces it.

Are you creating new products using molecular technology? Did you know your work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’s largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms, offering tax credibility assessments, claim preparation, and advisory services. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation & audit compliance to claim disputes.

Californians turn to a startup to check their air quality

During the California wildfires, air pollution was a major concern, and a crowd-sourced Utah startup became an unlikely hero. PurpleAir monitors air quality in real-time, thanks to a network of sensors across North America. The sensors sell for $179 to $259 and can be easily set up at a person’s home. They then link to Wi-Fi, and upload data to the cloud. This data is then displayed on the PurpleAir’s map; it’s popularity increased by 100-fold after California’s wildfire season began this year.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses high-tech monitors to measure air quality. However, these monitors are expensive and sparsely spread around the country. They give residents an averaged idea of air pollution, but aren’t specific. And, in the case of the 2019 wildfires, some of the government monitors gave incorrect readings. In comparison, PurpleAir’s network includes thousands of sensors – 3000 in California alone. While they may not be as high-tech, their coverage gives a good indication of pollution in specific areas, and can help people instantly.

How do they work?

PurpleAir’s sensors use a fan to push air past a laser beam. Any particles in the air will reflect light onto a detection plate. This plate measures the reflection like a pulse; large particles make a long pulse, small particles make a quick pulse. Doing this, the sensor can count particles in sizes of 0.3 to 10μm (micrometers). Anything bigger than 10μm will get breathed in and trapped in the throat, while smaller particles will get inhaled and affect the lungs.

After monitoring the particle sizes, PurpleAir’s algorithm calculates the concentration of particle matter in the air. It measures PM10, PM2.5 and PM1.0. In context, PM2.5 is described as fine particles, and about 40 fine particles make up the width of human hair. These fine particles are actually more harmful than the larger, because they’re more likely to go deeper into the lungs.

The big-time hero had to start somewhere

The company started in 2015, when the founder, Adrian Dybwad, set out to measure dust from a gravel pit near his home. “I said to myself, it’s 2015, surely there must be a sensor that can tell me how much dust is in there,” Dybwad said. With a lack of affordable, accurate sensors and his background in computer networking and electronics, Dybwad started making his own. His community donated a few thousand dollars – enough for the area to have 80 sensors. “We didn’t set out to do better than the government’s own monitoring, we set out to satisfy our own curiosity,” he said.

But, more and more people are turning to PurpleAir’s monitors. In November 2018, PurpleAir moved out of Dybwad’s house and into a full-time workshop, where production continues to increase. In July 2019, a PurpleAir sensor was installed at its highest altitude: on the side of a small astronomy dome in California’s White Mountains, at approximately 13,000 feet.

Are you developing technology to improve shared data or help people know about their environment? Did you know your work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

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Monumental medical technology: from at-home testing kits to AI software finding patients for clinical trials

In the 1600s, it was almost a miracle to celebrate a 30^th birthday. Now, our average lifespan is around 71 years. In fact, in 2014, there were 72,197 Americans over the age of 100. This isn’t an accident; we’re living longer, healthier lives because of medical improvements, enhanced by evolving technology. Medicine and technology go hand in hand.

Technology and People

In the 21^st century, technology is growing rapidly, and it makes sense that it’s used to help people. Augmented reality is being used help people with retinal degeneration and robot assistants are being implemented in hospitals.

Here’s some more companies whose remarkable tech is improving the medical industry:

Everlywell

Getting blood, urine and saliva tests at a GP can be inconvenient, timely and awkward. Everlywell’s modern-day solution is ingenious: the Austin-based company offers at-home lab testing kits and provides quick, digital results.

Patients can order more than 30 different tests, including food sensitivity, vitamins, STDs and thyroid. The testing kits come with instructions, sterile collection tools and pre-paid shipping. The company uses dried blood spot (DBS) testing so vials of blood are not needed, just a drop. CLIA-certified labs (used by hospitals and physicians across the U.S.) then review the samples, and patients receive secure, accurate results with actionable data and insights.

UnaliWear

UnaliWear creates wearable technology, in the form of watches, that have fall detection, medication reminders, and wandering notifications. The ‘Kanega’ watches are waterproof, voice activated and self-contained, meaning there’s no need to connect to a smartphone or other device. They do, however, have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to connect to other medical devices, like hearing aids. Their artificial intelligence (AI) technology learns the wearer’s lifestyle to provide predictive, pre-emptive support. The company’s goal is to help aging people keep their independence with dignity, and keep their family feeling assured.

Analyzing Medical Data

As well as living longer, there are also more people in the world – roughly 7.7 billion. That means there’s an enormous amount of diverse, confusing, health-related data in the world, which ranges from cell-level to population studies. To make use of this data, it needs to be collated and connected in a dynamic, intuitive way, which is where technology comes in again. We’re already seeing machine learning software being used to find patterns, predict at-risk patients and help find solutions.

Here’s some more companies with impressive data analytics technology:

Galen Data

This Houston company offers a secure, Cloud-based platform that connects to medical devices, including pacemakers and sleep apnea machines. The system can provide diagnostics, and keep clinicians, patients and families informed. This data is then collated and visualized for review. As well as meeting FDA and HIPAA compliance standards, the platform is mobile friendly, allowing for alerts and notifications. It’s also scalable and customizable, so starting small or with unique equipment is no issue.

By collating and analyzing the data, companies can also automatically update patient data and see common problems. The company’s goal is to simplify medical device connectivity easy, so clinicians, patients and their families have one less thing to worry about.

Deep6.ai

Deep6.ai’s software analyzes thousands of medical data points to find patients for clinical trials. The first step is extracting data such as symptoms, diagnoses, test results and socio-economic factors. It then analyzes this data – making connections, finding patterns and building clinical profiles. Researchers, analysts and doctors can use and compare these profiles to see who will benefit most from certain treatments.

By doing this, the best patients are selected for clinical trials. Hospitals and pharmaceutical companies can reduce their risks and gain quicker evidence of treatment-effectiveness. Completing these trials faster means more time for new research and innovation.

NarrativeDX

There’s no doubt that hospitals do fantastic work, but there’s always room for improvement, and negative patient experiences can be costly. Narrative DX makes this a simpler process by collating patient and employee feedback data to provide insights and suggestions. The company goes beyond a survey score, and instead collates survey comments, online reviews, social media posts and comments, and asks why. AI technology then analyses the results and identifies key issues. From this, hospitals can create focused, specific improvements. Because NarrativeDX analyses both patient and staff feedback, results mean happier patients and more engaged, driven employees.

Are you working with innovative medical technology? Did you know your efforts could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms, offering tax credibility assessments, claim preparation, and advisory services. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation & audit compliance to claim disputes.

Machine learning robots might be the answer to recycling

Here’s something controversial: recycling is exhausting. Yes, it’s infinitely better for the environment than throwing all of our waste into landfill. But, we have to remember to take caps off bottles, or put ‘soft plastics’ in different bins, and it’s tiring.

Up until recently, China made a business out of recycling. In 2016 alone, the U.S. sent 7.3 million metric tons of waste to China, to be sorted and turned into recycled plastic. However, the waste it was receiving was unhygienic and polluting the country. And so, in an effort to clean up its environmental act, the country banned imports on a large number of recyclables. In 2017 and 2018, China stopped accepting 56 types of waste.

So where does America’s waste go now? Sadly, the answer is landfills. In some places, like San Juan Island, Washington, only certain recyclables are collected. Residents can recycle clean and separated cardboard, metal, aluminum cans, and clean wood; everything else is going straight into the garbage. Long term, limiting recycling could be a good thing; it could help us discover how to use less and re-use more. But it’s a slow and grueling process.

AMP Robotics has a solution. The tech startup developed AMPCortex: a high-speed robot that uses artificial intelligence (AI) software to identify, sort and process recyclables. While waste is moved forward on a conveyer belt, the robot effectively has a brain, eyes and hands. It uses machine learning technology with a pattern recognition vision system, which turns millions of images into data. This data then tells the machine’s three arms where to move and grab. The result is high-speed waste separation.

Because of the AI software, the machine learns, improves accuracy, and can adapt. This means it can sort waste from multiple industries: brands and materials of municipal waste, batteries and wires from electronic waste, and various metals, wood and concrete in construction waste. It also links to an online visualization tool, which can keep records of sorted waste and inform users of equipment issues or hazards.

AMP Robotics says its goal is to make recycling more sustainable and affordable. It recently raised $16 million in Series A funding, which it plans to use to scale up operations, and increase its efficiency. The company already has its robot in facilities across the U.S., including California, New York, and Texas, with more planned.

Are you developing robotics technology or an innovative way to clean up garbage? Did you know your efforts could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

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Retinal degeneration is being helped by an augmented reality vision

research universities variable focus lenses

Augmented reality usually makes us see things that aren’t really there. But, for some, this tech is helping them see what is there. California startup Eyedaptic is using augmented reality to improve the vision of those suffering from retinal disorders. The company’s prototype is designed to improve reading and everyday tasks in individuals with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Eyedaptic’s AdaptiVu for AMD: sounds confusing, so what is it?

AMD is the number one cause of vision loss in people over 50; more than 170 million people just in the US suffer from it. It occurs when a small portion of the retina, the macular, is damaged or worn down. Right now there’s no cure, just treatments to delay its progression or improve the vision.

Eyedaptic’s device looks like glorified sunglasses, but it’s so much more than that. The adaptive augmented reality software simulates a person’s natural vision. It creates a whole picture for the user, rather than just magnifying what’s in front of them. The battery-powered tech also has built-in training aids for user-friendly setup and use. AdaptiVu was designed alongside ophthalmology retinal specialists, optometrists and occupational therapists, with the hope that people suffering from retinal diseases like AMD can have almost their full vision back.

Eyedaptic won second place at San Diego’s QuickPitch competition this year, beating almost 300 other startups just to be there and taking home $10,000 in prize money. The competition featured 10 biotech and tech startup executives, each with two minutes to convince the judging panel that their company was a promising business venture. And Eyedaptics is proving just that.

AR is the practical person’s VR

While virtual reality (VR) takes you to a whole other world, augmented reality (AR) uses technology to add pictures or other digital elements to reality. Because of this, it’s taking over from VR as some seriously talked-about tech. AR’s full posibilities aren’t yet known, but games such as Pokemon Go, or medical training without the need for cadavers, are proving that it’s going to be a big part of our future.

Are you working with augmented or virtual reality to make medical technology? Did you know your R&D work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firm, offering tax credibility assessments, claim preparation, and advisory services. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation & audit compliance to claim disputes.

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Women in tech are making waves in Texas

It needs to be said: 2019 is the year of the woman, especially for women founding tech startups. There’s still a way to go before the male-female ratio is equal, but female-led startups are most definitely on the rise and pushing Texas towards a high-tech ecosystem.

Texas is a great state for females in business, with women making up nearly half of the state’s 12.4 million jobs. It’s also ranked second in the nation in the number of women-owned firms. In Houston specifically, 20 percent of founders are women, ranking 5th among 60 tech ecosystems for its share of female founders. 20 percent is still a small share, but it’s a step in the right direction.

Here’s some female-led companies that are impressively improving the tech industry:

Diligent Robotics

Andrea Thomaz and Vivian Chu co-founded this company, with the hopes of using robotics to make the lives of healthcare workers easier. With a motto of “enhancing, not replacing, human jobs”, they created Moxi: a hospital robot assistant that performs routine, non-patient facing tasks such as gathering and moving supplies, delivering lab samples, and removing soiled linen bags.

The company’s robotic assistants, like Moxi, operate with ‘social robotics’. This is an AI framework that includes social intelligence (an expressive face), mobile manipulation (a moveable arm and hand, and a mobile base) and human-guided learning (AI technology that learns from human teachers). The company’s hope is that Moxi gives nurses more time to care for and connect with patients.

PATH EX

This Houston-based biomedical device company, led by CEO and co-founder Sinead Miller, combats sepsis – one of the biggest killers in our hospitals right now. After partnering with Alex Wieseler in 2017, Miller created a device that takes a five-millimeter blood sample and can diagnose bacterial infection from this. It then goes a step further to circulate the blood, remove bacteria – including drug-resistant strains – and cycle the clean blood back into the patient.

Miller’s own experience battling a serious brain injury motivated her to help others in the same situation. Her determination shows; the company won big at this year’s Fire Pitch Competition, taking home a new award that came with a $100,000 investment from the Texas Halo Fund.

Rebellion Photonics

Allison Lami Sawyer is the co-owner and co-founder of Rebellion Photonics, a company that provides visual monitoring solutions that make the oil and gas industry safer, greener, and more profitable.

The company’s Gas Cloud Imaging (GCI) system uses specific imaging technology, both visible and infrared, to monitor, quantify, and display explosive, harmful gas leaks as they occur. The company’s AI driven software, Spectra, runs and monitors this GCI technology automatically. It can also be set with alarms at certain levels, for real-time results. Rebellion’s PEARL (Physics Enhanced Artificial Intelligence Real-time Logic) analytics uses data science, optical physics and AI to deliver valuable information to customers about their site. The machine learning means that this information will continue to add value as the facility runs and changes.

Any business woman will tell you there’s still a long way to go, but it’s clear to see that female-founded startups are doing incredible work and making waves in Texas.

Are you a woman creating a new business? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is Texas’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firm, offering tax credibility assessments, claim preparation, and advisory services. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program in Texas, from claim prep & audit compliance to claim disputes.