31 North Bay Startups
Wednesday, June 10, 2020 from Corte Madera, CA
This is Part 3 of 4 in a biweekly series we will publish on the North Bay startup ecosystem. Click here to subscribe to receive future pieces. Click here to review past pieces in the series.
Each day in May, we highlighted an active, still independent startup founded in Marin or Sonoma since 2010 as part of our “31 North Bay Startups in 31 Days Project.” See #MSIV31in31 on LinkedIn and Twitter. Our goal: to raise the community’s awareness of these inspiring ventures. This is a recap of their stories, in no particular order.
1) Onward
Onward in Mill Valley provides safe and reliable transportation throughout the Bay Area for those needing extra assistance. Founder Mike P Lewis is a three-time founder. We are thankful for Onward’s service in the COVID-19 era.
2) Carium
Carium in Petaluma, co-founded by Nirav Modi, Scott Pradels, and Telecom Valley veteran Michael Hatfield (pictured), helps healthcare organizations tap into patient-centric data and deliver better care. They're partnering with Petaluma Health Center to make an impact for our community.
3) Byte Technology
Byte Technology in San Rafael, co-founded by Megan Mokri (pictured) and Lee Mokri, has created an unattended retail platform for fresh food. Their customers can use Byte to sell their food anytime and anywhere.
4) CannaCraft
CannaCraft in Santa Rosa is a vertically integrated cannabis company and market leader. CEO Jim Hourigan leads team that has created popular brands, works from production to distribution, and is expanding throughout the country.
5) Strategikon Pharma
Clinical Maestro by Strategikon Pharma in San Rafael is developing software to optimize clinical operations. Their product helps biopharma companies run clinical trials. Founded by BioMarin veteran Anca Copaescu.
6) EchoSystem
EchoSystem, co-founded by Scott Barrows and based in Sebastopol, is bringing B2B chemical purchasing into the modern age with a platform that easily facilitates transactions in a responsible exchange.
7) Yardzen
Yardzen in Sausalito makes renovating your yard easier than ever. Co-Founders Adam Messner (pictured) & Allison Messner have built a platform connecting homeowners with landscape designers and contractors to create and install a custom plan.
8) COBO
COBO in Santa Rosa makes a cloud-based network management system designed for SMBs to view their network in a single view. CEO Eric Clelland previously co-founded Cyan.
9) Trym
Trym in Novato is building software for cannabis farm management. CEO Matt Mayberry and team are empowering cannabis cultivators to make informed decisions to improve efficiency and grow revenues.
10) Novi
Novi in Larkspur helps consumer product companies source safer and more sustainable ingredients. They’re enabling the future of transparent products. Kimberly Shenk is a second-time founder with a passion for big data.
11) Tibit Communications
Tibit Communications in Petaluma makes small pluggable devices that boost connectivity speeds in networks. Led by CEO Richard Stanfield, Tibit allows cable and telecom operators to deliver more bandwidth at a lower cost.
12) Prokit
Prokit in Marin is a platform for athletes to find inspiration and learn from pros. Marin’s outdoor ethos is intertwined with the company’s culture and product. Founded by David Swain (pictured) and Angela Zaeh.
13) Trevi Systems
Trevi Systems in Petaluma devised a novel way to desalinate water, creating clean water at a lower cost and utilizing less energy than traditional processes. CEO John Webley co-founded Telecom Valley’s Advanced Fibre Communications (AFC).
14) Harvest Savings & Wealth Technologies
Harvest Savings & Wealth Technologies in Larkspur has built software that delivers a better-integrated savings to wealth solution for financial institutions. CEO Drew Sievers co-founded & ran Marin's mFoundry.
15) Boomtown
Boomtown in Tiburon has created a product support platform for companies that makes it easier to sell, activate, and service technology products that are used by 350,000 real-world businesses. Led by Co-Founder Alfred 'Chip' Kahn IV.
16) Homebound
Homebound was founded in Santa Rosa in response to the Tubbs Fire. Led by Co-Founder & CEO Nikki Pechet, they’ve built a tech-enabled general contractor making it easier to build custom homes.
17) Velo Payments
Velo Payments in Sausalito facilitates a real-time data dialogue between corporates and their payment touchpoints. Co-Founder & CEO Drew Weinstein leads team modernizing payments.
18) AdvisoryCloud
AdvisoryCloud in Novato connects executives with companies seeking advisory services. Over 12,000 advisors are on the platform. Co-Founded by Jonathan Aspatore (pictured) and Chris Beaver.
19) Miyoko’s
Miyoko's in Petaluma makes vegan cheese and butter using traditional cheesemaking techniques and modern technology. Founded by CEO Miyoko Schinner.
20) Waggl
Waggl in Sausalito built an employee engagement platform that derives real-time insights to help companies drive alignment around critical business topics. Founded by CEO Michael Papay.
21) SMASHMALLOW
SMASHMALLOW in Sonoma has taken marshmallows to the next level with premium mallows made with organic sugar cane and all natural ingredients. Founder Jon Sebastiani leads Sonoma Brands and previously founded Krave.
22) VEER
VEER in Novato is commercializing the first belt drive conversion for cycling, eliminating the need for maintaining chains. Keep an eye out for Founder Sean Hacking evangelizing around Marin.
23) Game Taco
Game Taco, founded by Joshua Barrow in Sausalito, is an online skill-based video game tournament offering cash prizes to players. Gamers both casual and serious compete in public and private tournaments.
24) Automodality
AutoModality, with offices in San Rafael and Syracuse, is an innovator in the UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) space. CEO Aaron Singer (pictured) and Co-Founders Daniel Hennage and Ed Koch and team's UAV flight control software can be used to inspect infrastructure in GPS-denied areas.
25) Resynergi
Resynergi in Rohnert Park designs and manufactures a system that converts waste plastic into diesel fuel. Co-Founder & CEO Brian Bauer and team developed microwave energy technology that completes this process more quickly than with standard heating.
26) Trusty
Trusty in San Anselmo is bringing greater transparency to active real estate listings while helping agents promote their brands in hyperlocal markets. Co-Founder & CEO Tim Hyer is a second-time founder, previously having founded Getable.
27) Altwork
Altwork in Geyserville designs and manufactures all-in-one workstations for high-intensity computer users who utilize the furniture to sit, stand, and collaborate. Co-founded by Che Voigt (pictured) and John Speicher.
28) Credder
Credder in Petaluma saves news consumers time with reviews and ratings for every article, author, and outlet. Co-Founder Chase Palmieri and team aim to make news compete for credibility, not clicks.
29)
asensei
asensei in Greenbrae, led by CEO Steven Webster, has built a personal trainer that knows your every move. With sensors throughout your clothing, the trainer guides your practice and provides real-time feedback in your ear.
30) Wherefour
Wherefour, in Petaluma, founded by Matthew Brown, has built ERP software for manufacturers to help with inventory control, lot tracking, ingredient traceability and production costing.
31) Hello Alice
Hello Alice, HQ in the North Bay & Houston, helps business owners launch and grow. When the pandemic hit they created the COVID-19 Business Center to provide resources and $10k emergency grants. Co-founded by Elizabeth Gore (pictured) and Carolyn Rodz.
