It’s showtime for Durham wearable AI startup Fathom at Google Demo Day
Date Published:“It’s a huge honor to be selected to pitch at Google Demo day,” says Fathom co-founder and CEO Ivonna Dumanyan. “It’s a great opportunity to learn, showcase our company, and form new relationships.”
Of course Fathom also will be looking for cash from investors who regularly attend the Google showcase that draws startups from Google for Entrepreneur partners across the US.
The American Underground, which works with Google in the Triangle and has helped produce previous Demo Day winners, picked Fathom for the competition. And AU has demonstrated credibility in previous Demo Days, producing champions in Windsor Circle as well as Mati Energy.
Fathom is banking on its artificial intelligence play to capture the attention of judges and potential financial backers.
“The concept is pretty unique,” Dumanyan says of Fathom.
“We are a wearable-enabled AI system implemented in a Software-as-a-Service model and our goal is ambitious:
“Predicting biomechanical response.”
Fathom believes the technology can help prevent injuries. She and co-founder Gabrielle Levac are both former athletes themselves. In fact the company describes itself this way:
“At Fathom, we’re a tribe of fallen athletes who are committed to unlocking every player’s potential through more healthy seasons, and more healthy days.”
Both are former NCAA athletes. The two BioMetrix – now Fathom – in early summer of 2014. The wearable device company was launched with the goal of improving the training for elite level athletes everywhere by producing light, flexible, and specialized sensors for training athletes.
Dumanyan was a rower at Duke, while Levac was a distance runner.
The CEO is confident as she and her team prepped for the showdown.
“So many amazing start-ups were considered this year, but I believe our team, our why, and our tech are all uniquely compelling,” she explains.
Dumanyan also will be looking for partners – and perhaps talent.
“We are looking forward to in forming new relationships with strategic partners and are actively recruiting,” she says.
WHY FATHOM?
So why did AU pick Fathom?
“Fathom has demonstrated tremendous growth in terms of both its business horizons and team, and has racked up accolades including acceptance into the prestigious Blackbox program [a two-week immersive mentorship program affiliated with Google for Entrepreneurs],” says Phillipe Charles, Director of Communications & Member Experience at AU.
“Also, both founders made it onto the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.”
Charles adds that Fathom showcases a compelling story.
“You can’t help but be inspired by Ivonna and Gabby’s story,” he explains. “They’ve been able to turn setbacks in their own athletic careers into technology to help others avoid similar career-ending injuries. Plus, they are as tenacious about learning about business and tech as they are in giving back to our startup community and injecting it with their infectious optimism and positivity.”