A group of five University of Michigan students are turning PhD work into a new back brace and a business called EXO Dynamics.
EXO Dynamics is developing an electro-mechanical back brace for medical professionals that prevents injury and lessens pain without reducing mobility. It has developed a couple of prototypes and plans to begin testing the technology in hospitals over the next year.
"This means users pain and suffering in their back is reduced," says Jorge Sanz-Guerrero, CEO & co-founder of EXO Dynamics. "It also means the need for surgery is also reduced."
The group of innovators have been developing the back brace this year at
TechArb, a small-business incubator geared toward student-led start-ups run by the University of Michigan. EXO Dynamics plans to transition to the
Venture Accelerator in the university's North Campus Research Complex later this year.
The start-up plans to continue testing its product over the next year and hopes to launch its product next year. The firm is looking to nail down some seed funding before the end of this year.
"This year we are raising $250,000 through microloans, pre-seed funds and local investors," Sanz-Guerrero says.
Source: Jorge Sanz-Guerrero, CEO & co-founder of EXO Dynamics
Writer: Jon Zemke
Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.
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