Last month IMCAS proudly hosted the 5th edition of the Innovation Tank during the Annual World Congress June 3rd at the Palais de Congrès in Paris. This year’s event received a competitive selection of entrepreneurs and innovative products in areas showcasing the latest solutions to current aesthetic challenges and promising future technology.

A part of the Global Market Summit module, the Innovation Tank is a classic IMCAS competition series that provides an engaging opportunity for upcoming start-ups to present their latest products in the fields of dermatology, plastic surgery, skincare, and aesthetic science. Each selected company is given 6 minutes to explain the premise of their work to a panel of judges and present what solutions their product provides for current obstacles in today’s aesthetic practice.

1st Place, IMCAS Innovation of the Year

AVAVA

AVAVA, Inc. is a ground-breaking aesthetic start-up transforming the aesthetic laser market by delivering energy with Focal Point Technology which enables pinpoint therapeutic accuracy for optimal patient outcomes. This technology, coupled with a high-resolution interactive imaging system, has allowed AVAVA to create an intelligent solution that unlocks safe and effective treatments for ALL skin tones.

CEO of AVAVA, Professor Irina Erenburg, explains more about their current work and experience in the session in a brief interview:

Give a brief description of your innovation and what stage of development it’s currently in?

“AVAVA has developed an FDA cleared, first-in-class laser that delivers energy at any depth using focal point technology. This proprietary delivery system spares epidermis, unlocking safe and effective treatments for all skin tones. The AVAVA technology is pre commercial. For the remainder of 2022 we will continue with multiple clinical studies while preparing for commercial manufacturing. Starting late 2022 and into Q1 of 2023, we will manufacture devices for an initial limited launch in practices with diverse demographics.”

The Innovation Tank was returning in-person this year after a digital edition. How was your experience?

“The experience was amazing. It was an honor to present before such an esteemed panel from both the medical and financial communities, as well as many leaders in industry. The other companies competing brought forward exceptional innovation with impressive leadership and commercial opportunity.”

What was ‘fun’ or exciting when you were presenting? And what was challenging?

"The atmosphere of such a large and prestigious Congress was very exciting, seeing success stories of previous winners is also motivational and informative. The competition was challenging as well as having to effectively present AVAVA inside five minutes."

Did your participation bring about more interest from the public?

"Yes, absolutely, AVAVA has seen significant interest from the aesthetic medical community, physicians, and industry. We also issued a press release about the win which has already been viewed by over a million people."

Do you have any personal tips to win over the jury for the next edition contestants?

"The jury was very gracious and approachable; they have every interest in seeing the various technologies reach commercial success. In our opinion, they appreciate smart science advancing through well-led companies with strong commercial strategy."

Learn more about the latest AVAVA technology: https://blossominnovations.com/pipeline/companies-assets/avava-inc/

2nd Place, Promising Innovation of the Year

Lipocube™

Lipocube™ is a medical device company established in 2017 that has been actively growing with a group of Key Opinion Leaders, or individuals who are pioneers in medicine and the expanding global distribution line. The company develops and designs medical devices based on human fat tissue processing with applications primarily in regenerative medicine, as well as other medical fields like aesthetics, orthopedics, regenerative urology, gynecology, and wound healing.

Hear from Dr. Steven Cohen, Lipocube™ Director of Clinical Affaires, on their ongoing work and IMCAS experience:

Give a brief description of your innovation and what stage of development it’s currently in?

"The technology is a sequential fragmentation, filtration, centrifugation, and tissue hybridization system, designed to improve the survival and regeneration potential of fat graft due to high final cell yield, and increased cellular potency. The product line mainly serves two fields; one allows mechanical isolation of SVF from autologous fat and the other allows processing fat tissue from Milli to Micro and to Nano fat."

The Innovation Tank was returning in-person this year after a digital edition. How was your experience?

"To carry out all processes in digital environments became the ‘New Normal’ for everyone during the pandemic. However, it is a fact that digital can never replace face-to-face communication. We once again realized this at IMCAS, Paris. It was priceless for us to meet face-to-face with valuable professionals, companies, and investors at The Innovation Tank."

What was ‘fun’ or exciting when you were presenting? And what was challenging?

"Presenting to a jury of legends in the industry and being with valuable competitors was exciting and challenging by nature. The best part was the Q&A session where we shared the details of our know how with everyone."

Did your participation bring about more interest from the public?

"Right after the announcement of the results, we received many congratulations as well as questions about our company and products. The interest first started at the congress and later through various communication channels. This is the first award that Lipocube has received, and we proudly share it with the whole industry."

Do you have any personal tips to win over the jury for the next edition contestants?

"If you believe in your product by all means and present to the jury with that belief and confidence, you pass this energy to the jury."

Learn more about the latest Lipocube™ technology: https://lipocube.com/

3rd Place, Promising Innovation of the Year

QuantiFace

The 'first impression' is a significant moment when one person first encounters another and assigns character traits to them purely based on their facial features. Often overlooked within current aesthetic practices, this intrinsic and subconscious process plays an important part within all human interactions and hence requires more emphasis in selecting and adjusting treatments. Using patented and scientifically-validated artificial intelligence, QuantiFace developed FaceReality, included in the Canfield Scientific Mirror® for iPad® image management consultation application, to quantify first impressions along with different character traits and visualize computer-simulated changes to facial features according to the desired impression. FaceReality addresses the patient’s needs for attaining the corrected face structure and allows for the customization of treatments according to the desired impression, significantly increasing patient satisfaction. The desire for a holistic approach may also increase the ability to cross-sell treatments.

CEO of QuantiFace, Dr. Heike Klepetko explains more on their current technology and participation at IMCAS 2022:

Give a brief description of your innovation and what stage of development it’s currently in?

"QuantiFace developed FaceReality Technology, which uses patented and scientifically validated artificial intelligence to quantify first impressions along different traits and visualizes computer simulated changes to facial features according to a desired impression. This facilitates patient desire for a holistic approach towards appearance and creates the ability for practitioners to adjust their treatments according to a desired first impression. Whilst the desire for a holistic approach increases the ability to cross-sell treatments, the adjustment of treatments by practitioners according to a desired impression significantly increases patient satisfaction."

"FaceReality has finished development and was introduced in the Canfield Scientific Mirror® for iPad® image management consultation application. FaceReality was launched during IMCAS 2022 and was received with astounding attention and excitement. We look forward to further revolutionize the approach towards aesthetic treatments taken by both practitioners and patients."

It is available now for free: www.canfieldsci.com/imaging-systems/mirror/

The Innovation Tank was returning in-person this year after a digital edition. How was your experience?

"Having the Innovation Tank in-person was of great value to us. Obtaining direct contact to the investors both during and after the presentations helped in communicating the significance of our idea and created the opportunity for connecting after the event."

What was ‘fun’ or exciting when you were presenting? And what was challenging?

"It was great to share our excitement, but it was even better that our excitement for adjusting aesthetic treatments according to desired first impressions, was shared by the audience and investors alike."

Did your participation bring about more interest from the public?

"Through our presentation to the audience at the Innovation Tank we were able to start talks with several potential clients. Furthermore, the excitement spread after the presentations, and it resulted in many practitioners wanting to experience our product directly at the Canfield booth."

Do you have any personal tips to win over the jury for the next edition contestants?

"To win over the jury, it is essential to be prepared for tough questions. During all presentations the jury was quick to discover potential flaws and was very aware of the competitors within the market."

Learn more about the latest QuantiFace technology: https://quantiface.com/#welcome

Watch the Full Session Replay Here through the IMCAS Academy Video Library!