TECHdotMN: News about Minnesota Startups

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By Yael Grauer, MedCity News

“A handheld medical device that aspires to translate medical conditions from any patient to their physicians will ramp up production this year.

GeaCom’s Phrazer will go from 300 units in the market to as many as 10,000 by the end of the year, CEO and founder Mathew Johnson said. The company projects that 40,000 units will be sold in 2012. GeaCom’s customers are primarily military hospitals, but some insurance companies are purchasing the device and donating it to hospitals in order to improve efficiency and reduce costs, according to the company.”

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The Minnesota Cup is an annual, statewide competition currently underway (through 11:59 on May 20th) for local entrepreneurs to win $25,000 for their high tech business plan.

As the program grows and evolves through the years, its reach, impact and outcomes become more pronounced.

Many past finalist and semi-finalist have met investors, advisors, board members, business partners and business professionals through various Minnesota Cup events and through media attention they have received during and after the competition.

We recently checked in with 2010 high tech division winner GeaCom, known for their life-saving telecommunications device Phrazer. Based out of Duluth and led by Founder and CEO Mat Johnson, GeaCom has experienced a long journey to be where they are today. Most recently, the venture has embarked on their largest fundraising round ($2.2m), gone on to win a notable international award, and started taking orders for shipment.

GeaCom is shining example of what’s possible here, in our own backyard, and a testament to the caliber of innovation fostered throughout the Minnesota Cup:

Via News Release

“New York, April 6, 2011 – Phrazer was honored with a Gold award in the internationally renowned Edison Best New Product Awards competition last night. The Edison Awards is a yearly competition honoring innovation and excellence in the development, marketing and launch of new products. Phrazer, a multilingual medical communication system developed by GeaCom, received the Gold Medal in the “Handheld or Miniaturized Devices” segment of the Science & Medical category.

“Winners in other categories include products from Apple, Microsoft and GE. We are thrilled that GeaCom is being recognized alongside these major corporations,” said GeaCom Founder/CEO Mat Johnson. “Winning the Edison Best New Product Award is truly an affirmation of Phrazer’s potential to reduce communication barriers and improve access to quality healthcare globally.”

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Related, Business North reports that Geacom is eying a $1m expansion.

By Thomas Lee, MedCity News

“Chances are, a migraine in Somalia resembles a migraine in South Carolina. But describing those symptoms to a doctor who can’t speak your language can cause its own special brand of headache.

GeaCom Inc., a startup based in Duluth, Minnesota, is developing an interactive, hand-held device that can provide instant translation between doctor and patient, monitor vital signs and store data in an electronic medical record.”

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Moments ago, judges announced GeaCom as winner of the 2010 Minnesota Cup High Tech division.

“GeaCom is committed to breaking the language barrier in critical communication. To improve service, reduce costs and to save lives we are developing an innovative new solution…Phrazer.”

Beating out Inveni (formerly known as Open Preferences) & Curation Station, GeaCom nabs $20k cash + services as the company proceeds compete against the winners of five other divisions for The Cup on Sept 13 (and  an additional $20,000).

“Honestly, when it’s down to three companies like it was, out of so many, you know there’s lots good things that can emerge from a contest like this.  We’re pleased to make it this far,” said  GeaCom CEO Mat Johnson in response to the achievement.

Based on SEC documents filed earlier this week, Duluth-based GeaCom has secured an unattributed $812,499 in an equity financing round.

Phrazer, GeaCom’s core technology, is the convergence of hardware, software and media.  As a hand held device, Phrazer aims to find a patients native language and culture (in 15 seconds or less), discover immediate medical issues, gather vitals and connect to medical history through an EMR system.

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By Anna Pratt Special to Finance & Commerce

“Joseph Rueter’s answer to the “tsunami of information,” which he says has become a part of the human condition, particularly in regards to the Internet, is the Curation Station. Rueter bills the Web-based tech tool he created as “the most flexible digital content curation tool available.””

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Other Minnesota Tech “movers” we’ve identified include:

ARAnet President Scott Severson [Scott Severson on the move]

Reeher Founder and President Andrew Reeher [Andrew Reeher on the move]

ID Insight Founder and President Adam Elliott [Adam Elliot on the move]

Wade Gerten from Alvenda

Mat Johnson from GeaCom

Steve Nielson from PartnerUp

Troy Peterson from Nibi Software

Zach Steven from Monkey Island

Anyone missing?

Little has been heard about an early stage Duluth, Minnesota Company which invented a communications tool with “the power to treat anyone… anywhere.”

Phrazer, a product of Geacom, Inc. is a hand held device which promises to find a patients native language and culture (in 15 seconds or less), discover immediate medical issues, gather vitals and connect to medical history through an EMR system. The application of Phrazer is intended for emergency medical and life-threatening situations, including but not limited to:  the emergency room, urgent care facilities or field use (rapid response/disaster scenarios).

How does it work?

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