“These start-ups are really looking to change the world. [They won’t be] the next Uber or Facebook. [Instead] they will really affect lives in the pediatric space,” said Troy Carter, founder and CEO of the entertainment company Atom Factory and newly named guest shark on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” as he introduced the Innovation Tank at the Boston Children’s Hospital Global Pediatric Innovation Summit + Awards.
Though each of the three participating innovations promised a tremendous impact on kids, the six judges agreed on the ultimate Innovation Tank winner and awarded a $30,000 investment to the Augmented Infant Resuscitator (AIR).
Kevin Cedrone, PhD, developer of AIR, persuaded the judges with a compelling and well-documented presentation. “Every year,” said Cedrone, “10 million infants need help taking their first breath.” A total of 1.8 million babies die, and many others suffer permanent problems.
The problem occurs primarily in the developing world, and is largely preventable. But it can be tricky for providers to use ventilation equipment devices properly.
