Greenville Business Magazine 2009 October : Page 63equest ing business because st. “A woman called me ate the church for her ot of tulle and bows beautiful church – and quest ing business because st. “A woman called me ate the church for her ot of tulle and bows beautiful church – and e e picked because it invitations included the ny.” anning agency that plans, or event. eenville Chamber and west endeavor because positive. “I found myself talents and turned business that I enjoy and quest ing business because st. “A woman called me ate the church for her ot of tulle and bows beautiful church – and e picked because it invitations included the ny.” anning agency that plans, or event. eenville Chamber and west endeavor because positive. “I found myself talents and turned business that I enjoy and d d direct the dream e a team of different pecial events for a wide to medical enterprises st ing business because st. “A woman called me ate the church for her ot of tulle and bows beautiful church – and e picked because it invitations included the ny.” anning agency that plans, or event. eenville Chamber and west endeavor because positive. “I found myself talents and turned business that I enjoy and d direct the dream e a team of different pecial events for a wide to medical enterprises even even six months old, dian ceremonial baby ndmade diaper cakes as t ing business because st. “A woman called me ate the church for her ot of tulle and bows beautiful church – and e picked because it invitations included the ny.” anning agency that plans, or event. eenville Chamber and west endeavor because positive. “I found myself talents and turned business that I enjoy and d direct the dream e a team of different pecial events for a wide to medical enterprises even six months old, dian ceremonial baby ndmade diaper cakes as PHOTO PHOTO BY OLIVER YU FOTOGRAPHIE ››ParkinSor The idea for ParkinSor started a world away from Greenville when Clemson electrical engineering masters candidate Rahul Mitchell Jairaj’s grandmother in India showed signs of tremors and movement and stability problems. Her doctors found it hard to pinpoint exactly what was happening, to what extent the disease had progressed, or even exactly what the disease was.. “It was established that there was a dire need to create an accurate diagnostic tool for Parkinson’s disease,” explains Jairaj. “The existing diagnostic procedure is very subjective, consequently, a quantified, non- invasive diagnostic approach is required to aid physicians.” So he hand picked two fellow Clemson grad students to develop a comprehensive and non–invasive tool designed to help doctors diagnose and monitor patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease. About 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with the disease every year. “The primary impetus to launch the company came from NextStart, a highly competitive summer immersion and entrepreneur develop- ment program,” says Jairaj. NextStart is a Clemson University program intended to attract and keep promising entrepreneurs in the Upstate. “We were one of four companies selected for the final program,” he says. “NextStart provided seed money, advice and mentoring (for us) to develop the idea into an impressive opportunity.” Jairaj is CEO, George Thomas, also an electrical engineering grad student, serves as CTO, and Sravya Durugu, whose field is bioengineering and whose specialty is designing medical devices, serves as the COO. “Neurologists and medical centers will be our primary customer PHOTO BY OLIVER YU FOTOGRAPHIE base,” says Jairaj, “they would acquire the unit from us and levy a nominal charge for each diagnostic run, thus helping provide a return on invest- ment. It also helps them maintain detailed patient records, and accurately monitor symptom progression and regulate medication accordingly.” Right now, however, Jairaj and his partners are planning to raise more money to grow their fledgling company, “We are very optimistic about the future and hope to make a positive difference in the world,“ he says. ■ OCTOBER 2009 | GREENVILLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE 63 Publication List |
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