Penn just chose the first class of startups for its National Science Foundation-backed accelerator, I-Corps.

Participating ventures range from a group workout mobile app to a diagnostic tool for concussions to a company that’s trying to make eyelash extensions better. Founders of the startups, which are ultra early-stage (Penn is referring to them as “teams,” rather than companies), are students, faculty and alumni.

The 14 teams will participate in the summer-long program, which includes six weeks of customer development workshops, mentoring and the potential to get up to $2,000 in funding.

I-Corps, backed by a $300,000 National Science Foundation grant, is another example of Penn’s efforts to produce more startups that commercialize research done at the university. That’s partly why the group of startups in this first class is so diverse. There are consumer startups alongside medical device companies.

Penn will continue to host I-Corps for the next three years. The next cohort will be in the fall.

Below, find a full list of the teams in the accelerator, as described by Penn officials.

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Animotion : A wearable device that enables patients to track their recovery from musculoskeletal injuries by monitoring the movement of their joints.

: A wearable device that enables patients to track their recovery from musculoskeletal injuries by monitoring the movement of their joints. Automated Anatomy Recognition (AAR) : A solution to Quantitative Radiology by localizing and delineating all major organs in multiple body regions using MRI, CT and PET/CT images for applications in radiation therapy planning, medical oncology and surgical planning.

: A solution to Quantitative Radiology by localizing and delineating all major organs in multiple body regions using MRI, CT and PET/CT images for applications in radiation therapy planning, medical oncology and surgical planning. Cahoots : A virtual community for change makers to connect, collaborate and turn their ideas into action.

: A virtual community for change makers to connect, collaborate and turn their ideas into action. Concussense : Developing a technology to rapidly and objectively diagnose concussions for medical, athletic and personal use.

: Developing a technology to rapidly and objectively diagnose concussions for medical, athletic and personal use. LashBee : Aims to make eyelash extensions more ubiquitous by designing tools that allow lash stylists to quickly and safely give consumers thick, long and beautiful lashes.

: Aims to make eyelash extensions more ubiquitous by designing tools that allow lash stylists to quickly and safely give consumers thick, long and beautiful lashes. LocalAventura : The easiest and most authentic way to travel to Latin America. Our platform, like Airbnb, helps travelers find unique adventures.

: The easiest and most authentic way to travel to Latin America. Our platform, like Airbnb, helps travelers find unique adventures. LocalPulse PopUp Retail : Transforms vacant retail spaces into vibrant pop-up stores. LocalPulse’s technology platform facilitates a sharing-economy for vacant storefronts.

: Transforms vacant retail spaces into vibrant pop-up stores. LocalPulse’s technology platform facilitates a sharing-economy for vacant storefronts. Paradigm Surgical, LLC : Designs and creates preventative mesh technologies and surgical devices for abdominal hernia.

: Designs and creates preventative mesh technologies and surgical devices for abdominal hernia. Proton Imaging Detector : Develops a detector that more accurately determines the proton range for patients undergoing proton therapy treatment.

: Develops a detector that more accurately determines the proton range for patients undergoing proton therapy treatment. Sharenonymous : A mobile application that encourages honest communication among university students, and increases their awareness of the available on-campus resources.

: A mobile application that encourages honest communication among university students, and increases their awareness of the available on-campus resources. SphereVis, LLC : Fabrication of super-resolution microscope slides, improving the imaging resolution of a microscope.

: Fabrication of super-resolution microscope slides, improving the imaging resolution of a microscope. QTEK : Offers an effective, low-cost and mineral-based antimicrobial additive for medical device, household appliances and public transportation hot spots.

: Offers an effective, low-cost and mineral-based antimicrobial additive for medical device, household appliances and public transportation hot spots. TreeHouse : Developing innovative solutions to promote independent living and aging-in-place for older adults by helping to improve their financial security.

: Developing innovative solutions to promote independent living and aging-in-place for older adults by helping to improve their financial security. WeTrain: A fitness focused community that empowers members with the power of WE to find fun group workouts in their city.


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