Sputnik ATX Announces Winter 2020 Class

AUSTIN, TX – January 31, 2020 – Sputnik ATX, an Austin startup accelerator focused on growth companies, today announced the selection of its Winter 2020 cohort, the fifth cohort of startup companies funded and mentored since Sputnik ATX launched in 2017. Each startup in this newest cohort serves a different industry, ranging from wellness and pharmaceuticals to STEM education and animation. However like each of Sputnik's cohorts to date, these latest companies share a common thread in that they solve a real problem in their particular marketplace.

“There were over 700 companies that started this application process,” said Oksana Malysheva, CEO & Managing Partner of Sputnik ATX. “The five that we have selected to invest in are those who are tackling big problems in their markets and making a difference in the world.”

Of the companies that attempted applications this round, four startups were chosen for Sputnik’s Winter 2020 cohort and one student-led startup was chosen for Sputnik’s Entrepreneur In Residence (EIR) Program, a result of Sputnik’s partnership with the University of Texas at Austin. Semi-finalists applied from all over the world including Macedonia, India, Denmark, France, Peru, and Puerto Rico. 

The Winter 2020 cohort companies include:

  • Kanthaka brings personal trainers and one-on-one yoga instructors to any location on demand. Through the Kanthaka app, exercisers can summon a highly vetted instructor within as little as 90 minutes; the app is currently available in 8 cities throughout the United States. Start a healthier and happier life at your convenience in the privacy of your home! Download the app at https://mykanthaka.com/.  

  • Mod Tech Labs serves production studios by streamlining the process for creating 3D
    assets; it makes 3D creation effortless through a processing software that cleans, refines and enhances imagery from photogrammetry to volumetric video. Mod Tech Labs' assets integrate easily into any workflow and minimize man-hours and infrastructure costs. Learn more at Modtechlabs.com.

  • RxThat was founded by physicians and experts in pharmacy operations to improve the health of patients by making prescriptions more transparent and clinical operations more efficient. There is a high toll of unaffordable medications: Half of all patients forgo prescriptions due to cost, and 10% of annual hospitalizations are due to missed medications. RxThat's proprietary mobile platform empowers patients by providing immediate, accurate prescription copay pricing at multiple pharmacies. It's free to patients, accommodates all insurance and requires no new technology investment for physicians. RxThat is also a 2018 MIT Hacking Dermatology Award Winner. 

  • Trashbots helps K-12 educators teach hands-on STEM affordably. Their kit includes a programmable robot, software to learn coding, and ready-to-go lessons for students and teachers. Its structured curriculum employs an engineering process, which encourages kids to iterate and take risks to learn. Since its founding two years ago, Trashbots is now in 30+ schools and has been named Top 10 EdTech Startup in the USA by the Global Edtech Startup Association. To begin your student's programming journey, get your first kit at www.Trashbots.co. 

“Like Sputnik itself, our new batch of founders are all creating something that will have a positive impact on the world,” said Joe Merrill, Co-founder of Sputnik ATX. “It is our privilege to invest in these fives companies and help them reach exponential growth.”

Companies accepted to the Sputnik ATX program receive three months of structured mentoring, a desk at the Sputnik offices for the duration of the program, and $100,000 in seed funding. At the end of the program cohort companies participate in a Demo Day where they present to a panel of investors. The next application round will open in April or May of 2020. To be eligible to apply startups are required to have a viable product, have at least one paying customer, and be located within a 300-mile radius of Austin or willing to relocate if accepted. 

About Sputnik ATX 

Sputnik ATX is an accelerator in Austin, TX that combines capital with training and experience to prepare seed-stage businesses for future rounds of funding. Their formula: 

(Nerds + Investment + Training + Mentoring) Community = Success)

Sputnik ATX was named after the first satellite to enter Earth’s orbit, an event that touched off a new era of innovation and competition that still influences the world today. The Russian word ‘Sputnik’ translates to ‘partner,’ which describes this accelerator’s intention: to partner with and mentor chosen startups. The accelerator was born out of a venture fund founded by Dr. Oksana Malysheva and Joe Merrill. After investing in companies around the world, the entrepreneurial atmosphere of Austin inspired Malysheva and Merrill to consider the city as a new home for their efforts. Sputnik ATX launched on Oct. 4, 2017, the 60th anniversary of the Sputnik-1 satellite launch.

amanda eakin