Three Stillwater technology startups in Meridian Technology Center’s business incubator have been awarded nearly $500,000 by the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST).

Plasma Bionics, MaxQ Research and MITO Material Solutions have each received funding for applied research to further their company’s growth and development.

OCAST is a state agency tasked with leading Oklahoma’s technology-based economic development efforts, supporting the efforts of startups and entrepreneurs to transform promising innovations from concepts into commercial products. They awarded $1.6 million to 29 research and development projects to drive innovations in infectious disease, sensors, therapeutics, biotechnology, energy and other industries critically important to Oklahoma’s economy.

“Each of our programs was created with a goal of supporting science and technology research and development through facilitating collaboration between state government, universities, start-up companies, and established large-scale firms to develop an entrepreneurial environment that supports technology-based economic development. These projects reflect the outstanding research taking place around the state and demonstrate that Oklahoma science and technology is globally competitive,” said OCAST executive director Michael Carolina.

Making Their Mark

Plasma Bionics is a veterinary device manufacturing company that specializes in plasma-based sterilization. Company cofounders Kedar Pai and Chris Timmons developed a cost-effective device that can sterilize medical equipment in less time, with higher efficiency, and with no water or harmful chemicals. As a result, their devices are equally at home in a veterinary clinic as they are in the vehicle of a mobile veterinarian. Plasma Bionics received funding for a cold atmospheric plasma device for the sterilization of laparoscopic instruments.

MaxQ Research’s patented MaxPlus thermal control solutions allow blood and other biological products such as nerve graphs, bone marrow and stem cells to be transported in precise temperature regulated pack-outs. MaxQ Director of Research, Arif Rahman, was awarded funding to assist with the development of nano-porous recyclable cellulose thermal insulation. MaxQ’s founders are Saravan Kumar, Shoaib Shaikh and Balaji Jayakumar.

MITO Material Solutions has developed a nano-additive named the “MITO T-Series.” The T-Series is then mixed in with an epoxy or resin, which then toughens composite parts. This product is used to strengthen fiberglass that is used in many industries including aerospace, recreation vehicles and watercraft. Bhishma R. Sedai, MITO’s Vice President of Research and Development, received funding to support further product research.

Additionally, XploSafe, a past graduate of the Meridian Center for Business Development, also received OCAST support for Travis Reed, who was awarded an intern partnership. XploSafe is a provider of critical safety solutions for homeland security and chemical safety. XploSafe products protect individuals who work with unstable and hazardous compounds.  Clients include research labs, chemical suppliers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, first responders, bomb squads and Transportation Security Administration personnel.

From Research to Industry: Stillwater’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

Meridian’s Center for Business Development is dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs through networking, education, consulting and business incubation services. The Center provides office and manufacturing space for early-stage startups to help them accelerate through the most challenging phase of building a company. The Center is one of 29 certified business incubators in the state.

The Center offers programs and classes for entrepreneurs, ranging from classroom training to monthly programs to one-on-one consulting. As a key part of Stillwater’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, the Center’s built-in support services allow entrepreneurs to focus their efforts on growing their business by providing a full suite of amenities and consultation that entrepreneurs need to launch their company.

For more information contact the Center for Business Development at (405) 377-2220 or toll-free at (888) 607-2509 or visit meridiantech.edu/entrepreneurs.