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easier, safer, predictable childbirth
without the incision
our mission
our mission
We are the pioneers of soft robotics in childbirth, dedicated to reducing maternal exhaustion, stalled labor, and reliance on C-section
obstetrics is severely under-innovated
obstetrics is severely under-innovated
"The rapid increase in the rate of cesarean births since 1996, without decreases in maternal or neonatal morbidity or mortality, raises significant concerns about contemporary cesarean delivery rates."
- American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology (2024)
Venture Capital Invested 2000-2018*
Venture Capital Invested 2000-2018*
All Medical Specialties: $334B
Obstetrics: $1.1B
Obstetrics is a Rounding Error (< 1%)
Rising Use of C-section
Rising Use of C-section
34% of All 2024 U.S. Births
> 50% in Select U.S. Hospital Systems
Becoming the "Standard of Care"
"Regarding patents, obstetrics had the fewest number of worldwide patents between 2000 and 2018. Obstetrics also had the slowest “patent growth rate” since 1985."
"Regarding patents, obstetrics had the fewest number of worldwide patents between 2000 and 2018. Obstetrics also had the slowest “patent growth rate” since 1985."
- American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (2020)*
solution
solution
Soft Robotics
Soft Robotics
Minimizes Hardware Risk
Minimizes Hardware Risk
Next generation robotics materials enable gentle manipulation and data collection at the interface between Mom and machine
Machine Learning
Minimizes Software Risk
Machine Learning
Minimizes Software Risk
Algorithms trained on large bio-datasets enable precise, reliable, and safe control of machines
Milestones:
Functional Minimum Viable Product
Nucleate Activator Semifinalist (550M raised by alumni)
NSF SBIR Project Pitch Acceptance
What We Need:
Clinical Champions (OB/GYNs, Maternal Health)
Clinical Workflow and Trial Design Feedback
Medical Device Development Expertise
team
team
Founder
Founder
Mark Schara
Mark Schara
Soft Roboticist
Preston Innovation Lab Alumnus @ Rice University
4+ Years Human Centric Soft Robotics Experience
Lead Scientist
Lead Scientist
Steven Schara
Steven Schara
Materials Scientist
Lipomi & Pokorski Lab Alumnus @ UC San Diego
5+ Years Materials Chemistry & Processing Research
Lead Engineer
Lead Engineer
Gerardo Vega
Gerardo Vega
Soft Roboticist
Bio & Organics Robotics Group Alumnus @ Carnegie Mellon
4+ Years Soft Robotics Research
Business Lead
Business Lead
*Open
*Open
Medtech Strategist
Business development experience in the healthcare space
advisory board
advisory board
Prof. Dan Preston
Prof. Dan Preston
Professor of Mechanical Engineering @ Rice University
Principle Investigator @ Preston Innovation Lab
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