Business Courier: Band Connect selected for prestigious program
Venture Lab-backed startup reaches pre-seed fundraising goal
A University of Cincinnati Venture Lab-backed startup has reached its pre-seed fundraising goal and been accepted into one of the world’s top accelerator programs, the Cincinnati Business Courier reported.
The startup, Band Connect, has created technology that allows an in-clinic experience for physical therapy patients at home while providing clinicians insight into their patients’ form and progress.
It was one of 12 companies selected for the Techstars Healthcare Accelerator's three-month cohort held in Los Angeles. The accelerator will offer exposure to industry-specific partners.
“They are payors and providers, and we need both of those in order for the solution to work,” Band Connect co-founder and CEO Abby McInturf, a 2018 UC alumna, told the Business Courier. “We feel like they can best help us catalyze the momentum we have right now.”
With $120,000 in equity financing from Techstars Healthcare as part of the accelerator, Band Connect has completed its $500,000 pre-seed funding round.
Band Connect likely will raise a $2.5 million to $3 million seed round later this year to fund a targeted clinical and commercial launch. The accelerator should help with that as its companies typically go on to raise more than $2 million of outside capital after the program, per the accelerator.
Featured image at top: Abby McInturf, Band Connect’s co-founder. Photo by Gregory Glevicky/UC Office of Innovation
About UC Venture Lab
A leading model for urban-centered universities, the UC Venture Lab activates a high density of rapidly curated startup opportunities that attract outside entrepreneurial talent and investors. We connect university students, faculty, staff, and alumni to talent and funding to help launch new companies. Our team includes Office of Innovation staff as well as Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs), coaches, curated service providers, and subject matter experts.
Related Stories
Inaugural 1819 Innovation Hub Awards honor DAAP grads
May 10, 2024
The University of Cincinnati’s 1819 Innovation Hub gave its inaugural DAAPworks innovation awards to spring 2024 graduates of UC’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning.
The Verge: The teens making friends with AI chatbots
May 9, 2024
Kelly Merrill, an assistant professor of health communications and technology in the University of Cincinnati's College of Arts and Sciences, was cited in an article on teen use of AI chatbots for friendship and therapy purposes. Merrill, who studies the mental and social health benefits of communication technologies, told The Verge that extensive research has been conducted on AI chatbots that provide mental health support, and the results are largely positive.
Scholarship success: Two UC grads shine at spring commencement
May 9, 2024
In a testament to the transformative power of education and financial support, Precious Randall and Corin Manning, recent graduates of the University of Cincinnati, have emerged as shining examples of success. Each graduated with bachelor's degrees from CECH in spring of 2024, but what sets them apart is not just their academic prowess; it's their remarkable journey made possible by scholarships that paved their paths to success.