The Abell Foundation was inaugurated over a half a century ago, Chairman Harry C. Black and the founding board members set an agenda that allocated grants for schools, hospitals, and human service organizations reaching out to the disadvantaged in the Baltimore community and the region. In the past three decades, the Foundation has sharpened its focus to address complex challenges to break through the cycles of urban poverty. Today, the Foundation places the highest priority on creating solutions that are both innovative and will ensure accountability. This is the commitment of The Abell Foundation: to give hope by opening the doors of opportunity to the disenfranchised, knowing that no community can succeed and thrive if those who live on the margins are not included. We invite you to use this website to visit our Publications/Research section where you'll find thought-provoking perspectives on issues affecting the community at large.   The Abell Foundation places a priority on supporting efforts that enhance the quality of life in the areas of community development, education, health and human services, criminal justice and addictions, workforce development and to a lesser extent, conservation/environment, and arts and culture. The Foundation is among the largest private foundations in Maryland with assets of more than $314 million.

Abell Foundation

The first angel investment network for startups with founders from the johns hopkins university.

BlueJay Syndicate

Grey Sky Venture Partners is a new early-stage investment firm that invests in the areas of healthcare sectors.

Grey Sky Venture Partners

TEDCO was created by the Maryland State Legislature in 1998 to facilitate the transfer and commercialization of technology from Maryland’s research universities and federal labs into the marketplace and to assist in the creation and growth of technology-based businesses in all regions of the State.   TEDCO is an independent organization that strives to be Maryland’s lead source for entrepreneurial business assistance and seed funding for the development of startup companies in Maryland’s innovation economy.   In Maryland and beyond, TEDCO is a resource of mentoring, funding and networking for entrepreneurs and start-ups that need guidance as they bring innovative concepts to market.   TEDCO is more than an early stage funding resource. It is the hub of Maryland’s entrepreneurial network where startups find mentors, organizational assistance, facilities for daily operations, and a roadmap for success.

TEDCO

The Dingman Center Angels is a Maryland based angel investment group that provides funding to early-stage companies located within the Mid-Atlantic region. Their members are entrepreneurs, CXO's, venture capitalists and business leaders who have founded, funded and built world-class companies. They come from a wide array of industry expertise and in association with the Dingman Center of Entrepreneurship, create an extensive entrepreneurial community.  They are looking for innovative, technology-driven startup companies addressing a significant market opportunity where their investment and expertise can make a difference. They introduce entrepreneurs to potential investors through presentations at monthly meetings which are held from September to June.  Their group looks to invests $100,000 to $1,000,000 in seed/early stage companies, and will often syndicate with other angel groups and VC’s for deals up to $2 million. The Dingman Center Angels is not a fund and does not invest as a group. Their members collaborate on due diligence but make individual investment decisions. Each member makes their own thorough review of all information, including speaking with representatives of the company.

Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship

FundRx is a healthcare venture capital firm and platform.

FundRx

Fusion Fund supports early-stage entrepreneurs who are looking to build globally disruptive companies using innovative technologies to drive systemic change. They are entering the next wave of technological advancement and foundational innovation is required to enable massive growth.  With Fusion Fund’s technical and entrepreneurial backgrounds, we seek to support entrepreneurs who are building companies with strong technical barriers and advantages in their business models.

Fusion Fund

MBX Capital is a venture capital partnership investing in early-stage healthcare, life sciences, and environmental health companies

MBX Capital

Keiretsu Capital provides access to proprietary deal flow to its investors. Keiretsu Capital works to increase the value of investments undertaken by Keiretsu Forum members by assisting in the successful presentation of the portfolio companies to investors including syndicate partners, venture capitalists, corporate investors, and the public markets. It aims to provide significant capital appreciation through investment in high quality emerging companies that have been funded by the world’s largest angel investor network, Keiretsu Forum, as well as other top tier angel groups.

Keiretsu Capital

Gaingels is a venture investment syndicate in service of the LGBT+ community and its allies, investing in companies with LGBT+ founders and C-suite leaders at all stages of growth, as well as in more established companies resolved on building more inclusive teams, with a global portfolio of 130+ companies and $70M in deployed investment capital to date.  The Gaingels network also actively supports its portfolio in identifying and recruiting diverse talent to their C-suite and board leadership teams and fosters a vibrant global community of industry leaders, investors, operators, and entrepreneurs who share a common goal for positive social change through business and successful investments.

Gaingels

K4 Forum Mumbai Network is a global investment community of accredited private equity angel investors and venture capitalists.

K4 Forum Mumbai Network

Founded in 2001, Partners Capital is a wholly independent Outsourced Investment Office (OCIO) primarily serving sophisticated institutions and senior investment professionals in Europe, North America and Asia. With offices in Boston, New York, London, Singapore and Hong Kong, the firm is one of the few truly global OCIOs, employing 120 people worldwide and covering all major asset classes. The firm oversees assets of more than $17 billion at 30 June 2016. Its institutional clients include 11 Oxford and Cambridge Colleges, Eton College, the Research Foundation for the State of New York's University System, the Royal Academy of Arts, Milton Academy and the Cancer Research Institute.

Partners Capital

Unorthodox Ventures is a complete reinvention of the broken and parasitic investment process. Founded by contrarian entrepreneur Carey Smith who bootstrapped Big Ass Fans to a $500 million sale, the company is seeking to partner with founders who demonstrate disruption and discipline. Unlike most investors, Unorthodox Ventures shuns financiers and instead is filled with people who have actually operated companies and know how to grow them.

Unorthodox Ventures

Riptide Ventures is a network powered angel syndicate that leverages our members to source, diligence, and support the best early stage companies in consumer, software, and healthcare.

Riptide Ventures

GenHenn Capital is a single-family office that specializes in private equity and venture capital investments.

GenHenn Venture

JStar Capital Investments uses strategic investments and clinical insights to shape the med-tech landscape and improve global healthcare.

JStar Capital Investments

Oakwood Circle Ventures invests in digital health and medtech, providing capital and support to help healthcare companies scale.

Oakwood Circle Ventures

Sonavex

Sonavex is committed to improving outcomes for surgical patients by using cutting-edge imaging technology to provide clinicians with visualization of critical data -- directly at the point of care. The company's technology offers a proprietary technology platform that utilizes ultrasound to detect blood clots after surgery, enabling clinicians to measure critical intravascular flow metrics to detect post-operative clots directly at the point of care and improve outcomes.

Sonavex, a Johns Hopkins spinout, develops ultrasound technologies that deliver quantitative blood flow and other critical vascular data at the point of care. The company's two main products are EchoMark and EchoSure.&nbsp;

TEDCO Invests $500K in Sonavex

Sonavex Receives FDA 510(k) Clearance for EchoMark & EchoMark LP Tissue Markers

Sonavex Secures $15M Series A-2 Financing

Sonavex Announces Successful Clinical Study of EchoMark & EchoSure and Initiation of the MAFASA Randomized Controlled Trial

Sonavex raises $15M to support novel ultrasound solutions

Sonavex Secures New Financing for Limited Release of Commercial Products

Sonavex Receives FDA 510(k) Clearance for EchoSure

Pushing the envelope in MedTech with emerging technologies

Next-gen Medical Devices

Edwin Warfield Interviews David Narrow, CEO of Sonavex

Sonavex, a medical device company spun out of Johns Hopkins, develops ultrasound technologies that provide visual and quantitative blood flow data at the point of care. The company's two main products are EchoMark and EchoSure. EchoMark and EchoMark LP (Low Profile) are FDA-cleared echogenic, resorbable polymeric implants used for marking soft tissue sites in surgical patients. The devices feature unique ultrasound reflective properties and a 3-dimensional shape that enables surgeons to precisely mark surgical sites for ultrasound visualization during follow-up evaluations. EchoMark received FDA clearance in June 2018, while EchoSure received FDA clearance in March 2019. EchoSure is designed to automatically detect volumetric flow, diameter, and depth, allowing bedside nurses to collect vascular parameters. The technology has applications in both microvascular surgeries and arteriovenous (AV) fistula maturation assessment for dialysis patients. In January 2024, Sonavex completed its initial clinical study evaluating the use of EchoMark and EchoSure for improving AV fistula maturation assessment in dialysis patients. The company is currently conducting a 304-patient randomized controlled trial called MAFASA (Maturation of Arteriovenous Fistula with Automated Sonography Assessments) to further evaluate these technologies.
Key customers and partnerships
The technology has been implemented in surgical settings, with clinical response from healthcare providers for both EchoMark and EchoSure. The Texas Medical Center, the world's largest medical center, partnered with Sonavex in November 2019.

Sonavex, a Johns Hopkins spinout, develops ultrasound technologies that deliver quantitative blood flow and other critical vascular data at the point of care. The company's two main products are EchoMark and EchoSure.&nbsp;EchoMark is a FDA-cleared echogenic, resorbable polymeric implant used for marking soft tissue sites in surgical patients. The devices feature ultrasound reflective properties and a three-dimensional shape that enables surgeons to precisely mark surgical sites for ultrasound visualization during follow-up evaluations. EchoSure is designed to automatically detect volumetric flow, diameter, and depth, allowing bed-side nurses to collect vascular parameters. The technology has applications in microvascular surgeries and arteriovenous (AV) fistula maturation assessment for dialysis patients.&nbsp;As of October 2024, Sonavex completed its initial clinical study evaluating the use of EchoMark and EchoSure for improving AV fistula maturation assessment in dialysis patients and was conducting a 304-patient randomized controlled trial called “MAFASA” to evaluate the technologies.

Convergent Dental, Inc. is a privately owned dental equipment and technology company. Its flagship product, Solea, is the only CO2 laser cleared by the FDA for all-tissue indications, delivering an anesthesia-free, blood-free, and suture-free experience for dentists and patients. Solea represents a breakthrough in dental laser technology, offering a distinct experience compared to traditional instruments or earlier laser treatments.
Solea is a novel 9.3-micron CO2 laser that nears the peak absorption of hydroxyapatite (enamel), enabling it to vaporize enamel with speed and precision. This unique wavelength, coupled with computer-controlled motors (galvos) that manipulate the beam thousands of times per second, allows dentists to perform procedures ranging from hard tissue to soft tissue with total control and efficiency.
A key feature of Solea is its variable-speed foot pedal, which lets dentists seamlessly transition from hard to soft tissue by adjusting the pressure applied. This intuitive design streamlines the learning curve for dentists accustomed to using a drill. Solea's three ergonomic handpieces – Contra-Angle, Straight, and Ultraguide – further enhance its versatility across various procedures.
Solea not only improves patient experiences but also offers practice benefits such as increased productivity, new patient flow, and efficiency gains. In October 2022, Convergent Dental received FDA clearance for Solea to aid in reducing mineral loss in dental enamel, protecting teeth against acid attack and caries development. This breakthrough application was commercially launched in November 2023 under the name Solea Protect.

Convergent Dental

Ossio is an orthopedic fixation technology company that has developed OSSIOfiber Intelligent Bone Regeneration Technology, a breakthrough implant material designed to securely fixate and fully integrate into the body's native anatomy without leaving any permanent hardware behind. This technology addresses the limitations of conventional metal and resorbable implants, combining unparalleled mechanical strength with natural bone healing.
Made from a proprietary mineral fiber matrix held together by a naturally degradable polymer, OSSIOfiber implants provide surgeons with a more biologically friendly way to restore patient stability and mobility. These implants are engineered to provide the strength required for functional fixation while allowing full integration into the native bone without adverse biological response.
Ossio's product portfolio includes compression screws, trimmable fixation nails, hammertoe fixation systems, suture anchors, and compression staples, all made with OSSIOfiber technology. These implants have received multiple FDA clearances since 2019, and the company has initiated commercialization of its products in the US. As of March 2022, over 6,000 implantations of OSSIOfiber products had been performed, demonstrating adoption of this innovative technology.
OSSIOfiber Intelligent Bone Regeneration Technology can address various surgical applications through the manufacturing of implant designs like nails, screws, staples, anchors, and plates. Ossio plans to pursue multiple applications in distal extremities, trauma, sports, reconstruction, pediatrics, and spine segments.
In February 2023, Ossio launched the world's first and only non-permanent compression staple made with OSSIOfiber technology, designed for predictable bone in-growth, regeneration, and replacement.

Ossio

Casana is a healthcare technology company that has developed the Heart Seat, an innovative toilet seat that enables effortless, integrated, and consistent in-home health monitoring. The Heart Seat is a replacement for a standard toilet seat and is designed to measure key clinical parameters such as heart rate, blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), and blood pressure.
In May 2023, Casana received FDA clearance for the Heart Seat to measure heart rate and SpO2 in adults aged 22 years and older, weighing between 90 to 350 pounds. The company plans to file for additional indications, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, with the goal of launching the product in the market by the end of 2023.
The Heart Seat is equipped with sensors that passively capture health data whenever the seat is used, eliminating the need for user compliance or behavior changes. The data is automatically uploaded to the Casana Cloud, where it can be viewed by healthcare providers, enabling them to monitor patients' health trends and respond to changes in near real-time.
Casana's technology allows for the effortless collection of consistent and reliable data, assisting medical teams in monitoring chronic conditions beyond the hospital or physician's office. The company aims to unlock a new category in healthcare technologies that enables seamless, integrated, and continuous in-home health monitoring.
In January 2022, Casana was acquired by an undisclosed entity, further accelerating the commercialization of the Heart Seat.

Casana

Neurent Medical is a company pioneering innovative non-surgical interventions to treat chronic inflammatory sinonasal diseases, particularly chronic rhinitis. The company's flagship product is the NEUROMARK System, a device that received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance in October 2021.
The NEUROMARK System is designed to gently apply controlled low-power radio frequency (RF) energy to target regions of the nasal cavity, disrupting the parasympathetic nerve signals that can trigger an inflammatory response. This alleviates chronic rhinitis symptoms such as persistent congestion, rhinorrhea (runny nose), swelling of the mucosal membrane, sneezing, and nasal itching. The system's unique flexible leaflet design and proprietary smart algorithms enable precise neurolysis (disruption) of the posterior nasal nerves (PNN) and accessory pathways, accommodating a range of patient anatomies while maintaining mucosal and vascular integrity.
Neurent Medical announced the limited market release of the NEUROMARK System in the US in February 2023, following the establishment of a new Category I Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code by the American Medical Association (AMA) for PNN procedures, effective January 2024. The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) also endorsed the PNN procedure in 2023.

Neurent Medical

Genetesis is a medical imaging company specializing in biomagnetic cardiac imaging solutions. It has developed CardioFlux, a flagship magnetocardiography (MCG) system that non-invasively identifies myocardial ischemia, a condition where blood flow to the heart muscle is reduced. The technology measures the magnetic fields generated by the heart's electrical activity to detect ischemia within minutes, without using pharmaceuticals or radiation. CardioFlux MCG is designed to provide advanced imaging while prioritizing patient comfort.
The company's solutions target the diagnosis of coronary microvascular disease (CMD), a condition that has been challenging to identify due to a lack of effective functional diagnostics. By offering an accurate and rapid test for CMD, Genetesis aims to address an unmet clinical need and enable timely management of the condition.
In April 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted CardioFlux MCG Breakthrough Device designation for the non-invasive diagnosis of myocardial ischemia in patients suspected of having CMD.
Genetesis was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Mason, Ohio. The company has received over USD 40 million in funding to date, including a USD 17.5 million Series C round in October 2022. In April 2020, TDK Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of TDK Corporation, invested in Genetesis, providing access to TDK's expertise in areas like biomagnetic sensors and magnetic noise suppression.

Genetesis

Companies that develop diagnostic devices used in a hospital setting to identify a disease, condition, or injury, such as imaging systems and endoscopes

Companies that develop implantable medical devices designed to be surgically placed inside the human body, either temporarily or permanently, including devices such as pacemakers, artificial joints, stents, and cochlear implants

Companies that develop non-surgical devices that are used in a procedure or intervention to cure or relieve a patient from an illness or disease such as laser treatments, dental equipment, and wound care management

Companies that develop monitoring devices that are used in a hospital setting to measure patient vital signs and ensure patient well-being post-treatment, such as cardiac and respiratory monitoring systems

Providers of software that enhances the functionality of medical device hardware (diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring)

Companies that develop surgical devices involving invasive interventions (cutting into a patient's body tissues) to treat, cure, or relieve a patient of an illness or disease

Companies that develop devices to administer pharmaceutical substances into a patient's body, ensuring controlled release or targeted delivery, specifically for use in clinical settings to treat or manage medical conditions effectively

Providers of software that helps manage risks, ensure quality, and streamline audit processes during medical device development

IoT connects devices to EHR systems for precise patient diagnosis and treatment support

Devices are linked to software platforms that use digital technologies such as AI/ML and VR

Startups leverage AI/ML and deep learning to support patient diagnosis and early detection

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Diagnostic device firm, Sonavex, has secured a Series A-2 funding round, receiving 15 million in investments. This funding round saw the participation of new investors such as Unorthodox Ventures, GenHenn Capital, JSTAR Capital, and Partners Investment. The firm's existing shareholders also participated.

The new funds will be directed towards further evidence generation for Sonavex's EchoMark and EchoSure platforms. The developments will be supported by an ongoing randomized controlled trial known as MAFASA (Maturation of Arteriovenous Fistula with Automated Sonography Assessments).

Established as a Johns Hopkins spinout, Sonavex specializes in developing ultrasound technologies that produce quantitative blood flow and other crucial vascular data at the point of care. The EchoMark and EchoMark LP (Low Profile) technologies are FDA-approved echogenic, resorbable polymeric implants, intended for soft tissue marking in surgical patients. These devices feature distinctive ultrasound reflective properties and a three-dimensional form that allows for precision in marking surgical sites. This accuracy facilitates more superior ultrasound visualization during follow-up evaluations post-surgery.

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Sonavex

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