CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – Scientists and entrepreneurs are working in Charlotte to solve some of health care’s most vexing dilemmas through a new accelerator program dedicated to medical startups.
It’s called gBETA Charlotte Health. This is the city’s first accelerator program dedicated solely to health care startups. It was created through a partnership between the city and Advocate Health.
Dozens tried to get into the program. Only five got the opportunity to participate in the program.
Seven-week intensive program
Greg Roberts is 24, a scientist and now an inventor.
For the past seven weeks he has been part of the crash course on how to turn an idea into a company. The program participants get access to coaching, mentors and other resources.
“It’s been what I call a CEO boot camp. I’m a scientist by background, so everything I’ve been learning is like a whole new set of acronyms, a whole new way of looking at life. How to talk to people, how to look at sales, how to understand different systems,” Roberts said.
Roberts, whose company is called SKG Lifesciences, compared the startup journey to getting a PhD in a different type of science.
The program wraps with a public investor showcase on May 28. It is a big day for Roberts as he gets his chance to pitch his company to would-be investors.
“A lot of riding on it, but you can’t think of it that way. You’ve got to look at every opportunity like it’s just that. It’s an opportunity,” Roberts said
Connect Labs provides space for innovation
gBETA Charlotte Health was held at the Connect Labs, which is part of Advocate Health’s Pearl Innovation District.
“Within the broader district, this is the area for startups. This is the area for early stage companies. There’s a lot of labs around as you walk around the space, wet labs and dry labs. So early stage companies building in healthcare can find a home here,” said Amory Lenarz, gBETA Charlotte program manager.
He said the city’s investment and it’s partnership with Advocate can help Charlotte tap into a growing industry.
“You know, a lot of the health care activity in the state of North Carolina has been on the east side of the state for a long time,” said Lenarz. “We’re really excited about this investment and this opportunity to bring some of those health care dollars west.
Smart bandage powered by algae
Roberts is developing a bioelectrically enabled smart bandage powered by algae. The device uses genetically modified algae to take light and convert it into electricity, which is used to speed up chronic wounds, specifically diabetic foot ulcers to prevent amputations.
The idea was born from a spider bite to his aunt that wouldn’t heal.
“And I was just so dumbfounded. Like, what do you mean it’s not healing? Like, that’s usually what happens. You get hurt, you heal. And that led me down this rabbit hole of learning about all the different people with diabetes and how they get all these different amputations,” Roberts said.
His goal is to prevent any more amputations.
Program results
gBETA Charlotte Health is an offshoot of an accelerator program that started in 2024. The first two cohorts were open to all business ideas and city funding for the training program has come from COVID grants.
The previous gBETA programs resulted in 10 companies raising $2.5 million. Those companies are now employing 69 people. Lenarz says that is a good return after just 18 months.
The showcase Thursday for the healthcare startup graduates is open to the public. Those interested can attend by RSVPing by clicking here.
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