Arizona State University’s Demo Day event at SkySong witnessed entrepreneurial ventures securing more than $100,000 in funding, with standout success stories like Captavate, a neurofeedback device for people with ADHD, winning big once again.
Captavate, created by a team of biomedical engineering students, clinched $20,000 at the fall 2023 Demo Day, building on their success of $40,000 from the spring event in April. The venture focuses on developing an EEG headset connected to an app, providing haptic feedback to users when their focus wavers during tasks like homework.
Michael Li, COO, and co-founder of Captavate shared his journey, emphasizing perseverance and the importance of learning from feedback. The $20,000 funding will be pivotal for Captavate in advancing its prototyping efforts.
Abyssinia Bizuneh, CEO of Captavate, revealed that her personal experience with ADHD led to the creation of the venture. Having opted not to take medication, she improved focus using neurofeedback therapy. The $20,000 funding is seen as a catalyst for Captavate to further develop and test their solution.
The Demo Day, part of Venture Devils, a program supporting ASU entrepreneurs, featured 60 teams pitching their ventures. In the Edson Student Entrepreneur Initiative funding track, winners included the Molecules Company, Lake Litter Solutions, and Astro Seed, showcasing a diverse range of innovative ideas.
Dakota Edwards, CEO of Lake Litter Solutions, expressed the validation the funding provides and highlighted the significance of standing on equal footing with other aspiring entrepreneurs.
Additional winners at Demo Day included ventures like Moonbeam and Pick A Class in the Edson E+I Social Impact Venture Challenge, and Comprehensive Rehab Services in the Edson E+I Health Venture Challenge.
The event’s eSeed Challenge track, supported by various entities, recognized ventures like RECRUITid, Verdantt Fresh, Quantanx, and more, with funding ranging from $1,000 to $6,000.
The J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute at ASU not only provided funding but also offers Venture Devils access to mentorship and space, nurturing a supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurial growth.
In a broader international context, the institute also extended financial support of $12,000 to entrepreneurs from the Balkan countries participating in the U.S. GIST Innovates the Balkans Program, reinforcing ASU’s commitment to global entrepreneurship initiatives.
