PUDDLE HOPS: Fixing battery drain | Babies and language tech | AI bootcamp

Fixing cell battery drain problems

ANN ARBOR, MI—Alanson Sample, an associate professor at the University of Michigan, has co-developed an invention that could eliminate the battery drain problems experienced by cell phone users around the world. The device is a wireless charging chamber that can deliver power over the air to any laptop, tablet or phone without requiring plugs or cables.

A platform to encourage saving

MILWAUKEE, WI—Investii is a startup that will launch a platform this month designed to encourage consumers to save money and reward them for doing so. Users can connect their checking, savings, taxable investment accounts and retirement accounts and automatically allocate the surplus to savings and investment accounts.

Babies and language tech

COLUMBUS, OH—Did you know your language center gets wired based on the first seven to eight months of life? smallTalk is a consumer tech startup developing interactive technology licensed from Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus that helps babies interact with more languages in infancy, opening their ability to hear more speech sounds from different languages.

AI bootcamp

RALEIGH, NC—Raleigh will be a host site for the Mark Cuban Foundation Artificial Intelligence (AI) Bootcamp for high school students this fall. The free AI bootcamp will introduce underserved students in grades 9 through 12 in the  area to basic AI concepts and skills.

Techstars Kansas City demo day

KANSAS CITY, MO—Techstars Kansas City hosted its Demo Day, highlighting a variety of innovations, from an algae-based air purifier to software that can predict diseases in animals. You can read about the pitch highlights here.