Creative Destruction Lab

Pathkeeper Surgical develops a medical device that enhances surgical accuracy in spine procedures through an advanced 3D camera system. This system provides real-time navigation by tracking the patient's spine and the surgeon's instruments independently, ensuring precise surgical guidance with sub-millimeter accuracy. Utilizing proprietary technology, the camera integrates images with pre-surgery CT scans, allowing continuous adjustment of the anatomical map to reflect both spinal movement and surgeon manipulation. By leveraging artificial intelligence, Pathkeeper Surgical aims to make navigation-guided surgeries accessible in any operating room, regardless of size, thereby improving outcomes for both patients and surgeons. The innovative solution offers a radiation-free approach to spine surgery, enhancing safety and effectiveness in the operating room.

Navega Therapeutics is a preclinical stage company focused on developing innovative gene therapies aimed at treating chronic pain and addressing the opioid epidemic. The company has created a non-addictive and highly specific gene therapy inspired by a natural genetic mutation in humans that results in an absence of pain perception. In preclinical studies, Navega's therapy demonstrated an increase in pain tolerance and a reduction in pain levels in animal models suffering from inflammatory pain, chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain, and pain induced by BzATP. Safety assessments indicate that the therapy does not cause neurological, motor, or olfactory side effects. Navega has received funding through two Small Business Innovation Research grants from the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and has secured three patents from the University of California, San Diego.

Xona Space Systems, Inc. is a developer of Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) satellite solutions, focusing on delivering accurate and secure real-time services. The company offers the Xona Pulsar, which provides a high-power signal from a constellation of low-cost Low Earth Orbiting satellites. This approach aims to enhance availability and location precision for its customers. Established in 2019 and based in San Mateo, California, Xona Space Systems is committed to advancing satellite technology to meet the growing demand for reliable PNT services.

Drift provides a roadmap of stitched content that streamlines your learning process using machine learning and AI.

Provider of systematic health navigation services intended to assist businesses in navigating surgery and recovery. The company's services include a novel, proactive way to address the opioid epidemic and have a stated goal of reduction in post-surgical opioid use, enabling businesses, employees, and members to make informed surgical decisions and manage recovery.

Developer of wind and solar-powered autonomous boats intended to provide real-time data and information to protect the oceans. The company's boats are equipped with sensors and cameras to make oceanic observations and instantly relay them, offering a safe, efficient, and affordable way of collecting data compared to conventional crewed vessels, enabling clients to monitor ocean traffic, watch for illegal fishing, collect information on marine mammals and understand the impacts of climate change.

Developer of a mobile LiDAR scanning application designed to simplify and improve construction site documentation. The company's software allows users to scan job sites using the LiDAR in iPhone and automatically generate a digital copy of the environment that includes floor plans, measurements, virtual tours and more, that can easily be accessed over the web, preserve raw information, apply machine learning to automatically track progress, search the site and even automate safety inspections, enabling clients to generate floor plans, height maps, point clouds and deliver augmented and virtual reality content.

RoadBotics empowers governments and communities to make objective, data-driven decisions about their public infrastructure assets. We automate image mapping and road assessments, generating interactive maps, unbiased ratings, and practical tools to save time and taxpayer dollars for hundreds of communities across the country and around the world.

Nodes & Links is a technology company focused on helping organizations navigate project complexity by offering a reporting platform that forecasts and manages risks. Utilizing artificial intelligence, the platform generates reports, tracks progress, analyzes impacts, identifies data discrepancies, and provides prediction graphs. This functionality is particularly beneficial for the construction industry, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions quickly and improve project outcomes. Through its innovative solutions, Nodes & Links aims to empower businesses to address the challenges associated with complex project interactions effectively.

KOMPAS was started by Tom and Olivia, two students living in Munich. The pair explored Munich belly-first, chowing down on all that the food scene had to offer. Once they’d eaten their fill, they expanded to exploring abandoned railway stations and street art in underground hidden passages. They even (hesitantly) sampled homemade vodka from a man in a hidden Franco-Slavic bar. They started posting their findings on a Facebook page and created an Instagram account, Hidden Munich. The Instagram quickly developed into a much bigger idea: a city exploration app to help people discover the amazing adventures hidden just around the corner. Two years later, Tom and Olivia’s vision has become a reality: KOMPAS is now available on iOS and Android and is growing rapidly across multiple cities.

InnerSpace Technologies Inc. offers a comprehensive indoor mapping and navigation platform that leverages advanced mapping technology, smartphone-compatible sensors, and machine learning to create automatic maps and pinpoint the location of individuals and objects in indoor environments. Founded in 2014 and based in Toronto, Canada, the company provides location-as-a-service solutions on a subscription basis for both enterprise and consumer applications, catering to clients across the United States, Europe, Asia, and Canada. InnerSpace's platform enables businesses to enhance their operations by optimizing real estate utilization, improving workplace experiences, managing customer engagement in retail settings, and enhancing safety protocols in smart buildings. By utilizing easy-to-install IoT sensors and out-of-the-box analytics, InnerSpace helps organizations effectively leverage their key assets—people and real estate—leading to significant operational efficiencies and improved financial outcomes.

Routific, Inc. is a Vancouver-based company that develops an advanced route optimization platform designed for delivery businesses, particularly targeting small and medium-sized enterprises in Canada and internationally. The platform features intelligent route optimization, dispatch capabilities, live tracking, and delivery notifications, which collectively help businesses reduce delivery costs, enhance driver efficiency, and improve customer satisfaction. By employing a proprietary algorithm, Routific enables last-mile delivery fleets to save up to 40% on time and fuel, establishing itself as a leading solution in the logistics sector. The company has attracted investment from notable firms including Techstars Chicago, Pallasite Ventures, Firestarter Fund, and Axiom Zen.

Nava is a company focused on bridging the gap between offline and online experiences, aiming to capitalize on a significant market opportunity. By collaborating with business owners, chefs, artists, and designers, Nava crafts unique narratives that integrate content with data science, guiding consumers from discovery to purchase. The company utilizes behavioral and geospatial data to assist independent shop owners in attracting and retaining a loyal customer base. Additionally, Nava has developed a travel itinerary application that helps users explore lesser-known destinations tailored to their preferences. This application leverages data collected through user interactions and social graphs, employing machine learning to generate insights that enhance travel experiences. Overall, Nava is dedicated to providing small and medium-sized enterprises with tools to create immersive and personalized experiences for their customers.

Placenote is a San Francisco-based company, founded in 2015, that specializes in augmented reality technology for visual mapping. It offers an online platform and mobile application that allows users to create 3D map markers by scanning physical spaces. The platform features a virtual sticky note system, enabling users to attach digital notes to objects and locations, facilitating the organization and sharing of information in a visually engaging manner. Placenote's mission is to enhance real-world interactions by enriching everyday experiences with immersive AR, ensuring users can easily navigate and connect with their surroundings. The company also has an office in Toronto, Canada.