Each year SCORE Chester and Delaware Counties recognizes owners and entrepreneurs that have demonstrated unique vision, innovation, and achievement in support of our local economy and small business community.
Congratulations to the six small businesses and nonprofits honored on June 6 at the annual Small Business Achievements Awards event at Penn Oaks Golf Club in West Chester.
Meet Award-Winner Hema Ravindran, CEO, and Raj Kamal Singh, CTO.
SCORE is helping KiposTech develop a strong business plan and strategy as they launch their innovative product solution that disinfects the air.
In the midst of the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, two courageous environmental scientists found themselves without access to their university labs. With years of academic and industry experience, Hema Ravindran and Raj Kamal Singh have developed a deep expertise in combatting airborne infectious pathogens using non-thermal plasma technology and a passion to prevent disease transmission.
They diligently researched air quality and air purification systems and the bacteria and viruses that threaten the health and wellbeing of humans with a focus on healthcare facilities. Statistics in US hospitals are alarming, reporting 1.7 million illnesses and 99,000 deaths annually due to healthcare acquired infections.* The impact is much greater when clinics, long-term care facilities, animal husbandry, food and travel industries are included in the mix…
Leveraging their plasma technology experience – the ability to improve indoor air quality and protect against bacteria, mold, viruses and harmful pollutants – Hema and Raj developed a revolutionary idea: a versatile non-thermal plasma disinfection system. In layman’s terms, this plasma is a room temperature electrically charged gas that can effectively disinfect by penetrating and destroying pathogens. Raj describes this capability similar to having a personal lightning bolt in your space.
For two long years, Hema and Raj nurtured their brainchild and navigated the twists and turns of starting a business. Then, in the summer of 2022, they made it official by incorporating KiposTech in Columbia, Lancaster County, PA.
*Source: CDC 2022 National and State Healthcare-Associated Infections Report
How SCORE helped
In the technical community, reactions to the KiposTech initiatives have been extremely positive, coupled with some advice to the inventors to strengthen the commercial plan. Around this time, Hema and Raj contacted SCORE…They refer to their SCORE mentor from Chester County, John Hess, as a professional game changer and a huge morale boost referring to him as their first business teacher. They began working on their business plan and business models together over the course of many sessions and set clear priorities to get their new idea and a new organization “off the ground.”
For two long-term PhD scientists who spent the majority of their days with microorganisms, technology and laboratories, working with John simply took all the mystery out of building a solid business. Hema describes her relief as she views the startup process as an “overhaul – some combination of high risk and challenging yet ultimately rewarding.”
Raj enjoyed learning about the building blocks to define a business model, shape the value proposition, analyze the value chain as part of customer discovery. This was a new vocabulary, and these steps in the business planning process were very helpful. The mentoring relationship enabled each party to bring important knowledge, functional and industry expertise to help KiposTech get a successful start.
SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer business experts, is dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals.
Since 1964, SCORE has provided education and mentorship to more than 11 million entrepreneurs nationwide.
SCORE Chester and Delaware Counties has been operating since 1985, with 100 dedicated volunteers today who provide confidential mentoring at no charge and offer business seminars, workshops and webinars to benefit the local community.
SCORE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
