Year Founded
2018
Website
https://www.wetwarebiosystems.com 
Value Proposition
Lessen the widespread burden of TBI
Awards & Mentions
  • Awarded a Phase I grant from the Defense Health Agency (DHA) to develop a blast-proof prototype of their TBI technology in August of 2021
  • Awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract by the United States Air Force in February 2021
  • Winner of $20,000 in 2019 Swarm Starter Competition
  • $3,000 NSF I-Corps Grant in 2019
  • Second place in 2019 Forbes Entrepreneurial Competition
  • Finalist in 2019 Mark Ain Business Plan Competition

Tech to Address Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

WetWare BioSystems is an early-stage biotechnology firm in Rochester, NY dedicated to the research and development of technologies aimed at addressing Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in the defense and civilian sectors. Founded by Bradley Smith ’20, Andrew Kaseman ’20, Nick Drogo ’19, Scott McKinney ’21, and Oliver Ostriker ’19, WetWare has developed a device called the IRONCROWN System. This system allows users to treat traumatic brain injuries on the spot, saving valuable time between the site of an occurrence and a treatment facility. Their portfolio of devices provides potential means to address TBI in several scenarios, including falls, car accidents, blunt force trauma, sports injuries, and explosive blasts.

The WetWare team competed and excelled in two of the Ain Center’s business plan competitions – Forbes and Mark Ain – and captured attention through their use of technology and dedication to growing their business prowess. During summer 2019, WetWare was one of two University of Rochester teams to take part in a new partnership with RIT’s Summer Accelerator program; nine UR teams applied and the final two were selected by a panel. RIT holds a full-time, intensive 14-week program to assist student entrepreneurs in developing their business concepts to a point where they are ready to begin to seek angel investment. Throughout this process, WetWare performed extensive customer discovery, learned about various types of investment, and worked on their IRONCROWN prototype.

In October 2019, the team took home the top prize and $20,000 from the Ain Center’s first Swarm Starter Competition. As members of the UR Student Incubator, WetWare continues to operate and is currently seeking grant funding through governmental organizations. WetWare was also awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract by the United States Air Force through the AFWERX innovation program in February 2021 and a Phase I grant from the Defense Health Agency (DHA) to develop a blast-proof prototype of their TBI technology in August of 2021