Initiated by E52 and High Tech Campus, the 10 most promising startups-to-watch from the Brainport Eindhoven region have been announced for the fourth consecutive year. On July 12th they received a Gerard & Anton Award. The winning companies are highlighted one by one in an interview. Today part 6: Usono and fixating an ultrasound probe. read the whole series here.
Name: Benjamin Tchang
Startup: Usono
Year of establishment startup: 2016
What is the goal of your business?
“To ease, improve and innovate the use of ultrasound.”
Is this your first startup?
“Yes.”
How did the idea come about for your startup?
“I was conducting research into children’s muscular diseases using ultrasound. There I ran into a problem, I could not fixate the ultrasound probe on the body during dynamic measurements. During a Sunday I asked my hockey friend Victor Donker if he could help and Victor asked Jori Verbeek to help him. Finally, we developed a product together to fixate an ultrasound on the body.”
Has there ever been a change of focus, a pivot? Can you tell us something about the cause and the result?
“In the beginning, we focused on the dynamic muscle measurements, but after having approached several hospitals, we started to focus on heart echoes. This ProbeFix is the first product that is now on the market and offered in 12 countries.”
I’m sure there was a moment when you lost faith in your startup. Can you describe that moment?
“Before we joined HighTechXL, we had a hard time. All three of us were working for other companies besides Usono. Because of this, the progress was very slow. That’s why we decided to work full time during the HighTechXL program.”
Are there startups/entrepreneurs that you see as an example?
“There are visionary entrepreneurs who are very inspiring to me, including the big names like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk. But closer to us, Sjaak Deckers is a good example.”
Where will you be with your company in 5 years’ time?
“In 5 years of now, we have a company that is internationally scaled with a larger portfolio in the medical and sports ultrasound sector.”
What does Eindhoven mean for your company? And for yourself?
“Eindhoven brings us many opportunities as a company. The ecosystem is very powerful in Eindhoven and very valuable to us. Through this network, it is easy to arrange introductions at, for example, PSV or to come into contact with production companies. I see Eindhoven as a vibrant city where there is a lot to do and more and more international talent is coming. It’s great to live in!”
What is the startup climate in Eindhoven like? Do you feel part of it? If so, how is this to be seen?
“The startup climate is well represented in Eindhoven. We are located together with other startups in building 12 on the High Tech Campus, so I am certain that we are a part of the startup climate. In addition, we see that the startup climate is stimulated a lot by events.”
At what point could the Eindhoven startup ecosystem improve?
“The investment climate in startups in Eindhoven can certainly be improved even further. Investors need to dare to take the risk to invest in early-stage startups.”