In the year InstaHub occupied an inventor garage at the Pennovation Center, they facilitated over 20 internships, conceptualized an addition to their product line, and launched an initiative to support first-line responders with 3-D printed PPE during the onset of the pandemic. Michael Wong, Chief Executive Officer, never one to rest on his laurels, quickly set up space in the Pennovation Center by leveraging resources from winning the 2019 Presidents Innovation Prize. InstaHub focuses on two major problems with lighting: over usage and lack of automation. Michael and co-founder Dayo Adewole, Chief Technology Officer, designed a sustainable snap-on motion sensor that automates existing light switches. The Pennovation Center offered Michael and Dayo the perfect space to refine the product.
According to Michael, “Having access to space and connecting with other members in the Pennovation Center was extremely helpful.”
InstaHub graduated from the 220 sq. ft. inventor garage in the Pennovation Center last month and now occupies a 1,100 sq. ft. space in South Philadelphia. “Being in South Philly is great. There is a restaurant next door that has been a part of this community for 18 years. I offered to help the owners with business development advice and technical support for their website.” It is not surprising InstaHub's generosity continues in the new location. Michael and the InstaHub team would consistently offer 3-D printing expertise to other Pennovation Center members. “The new space is large enough for assembling and testing our new data logger device. We will continue to work with Pennovation members by offering our data logger to validate energy-saving opportunities in their spaces”.
ZeroEyes is preparing to move from the Pennovation Center in October. Starting in a 240 sq. ft. inventor office, ZeroEyes quickly outgrew the space and moved into a 450 sq. ft. inventor office. Founded by a former Navy SEALS team and technologists, ZeroEyes uses computer vision technology to help reduce the risk of active shooter threats in schools, stores, office buildings, malls, and other public spaces. The ZeroEyes team continues to grow. This time, they are relocating to a 6,600 sq. ft. office in the King of Prussia area. During their time at Pennovation, ZeroEyes doubled in team size from 10 to 25 employees. The team’s weapon identification technology went from beta to market-ready, and they are now developing a second software version. “Pennovation is a known location with great access to Penn and the Center City region,” says Mike Lahiff, ZeroEyes Chief Executive Officer. When ZeroEyes started in the Pennovation Center in late 2019, they had one customer, now the company has over fifteen customers.
