Vaporsens
Founder
Ben Rollins
Founder working on 3rd University Tech Startup, @AxonOptics. 1st Co raised $15M and continues to operate, 2nd Co exited.
Founder working on 3rd University Tech Startup, @AxonOptics. 1st Co raised $15M and continues to operate, 2nd Co exited.
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Experience
Bombyx Technologies
Founder
Axon Optics
Founder
Axon Optics
Managing Partner and Operator
Co-founder and operator at Axon Optics, a University of Utah technology transfer startup developing eyewear for the treatment of light sensitivity and migraine. Sell eyewear... more online and through optical shops while performing FDA clinical studies on next generation eyewear. Full-time since Nov 2015.
• Grew from idea to a company selling tens of thousands of units with multiple employees.
• Created awareness and trust for entirely new health product category via digital marketing, influencers, content marketing, and press. (And a fantastic product!)
• Achieved multiple #1 rankings on Google.
• Received over a thousand five star reviews garnering attention on Forbes, Time, A&E, and other outlets.
• Awarded prestigious Utah Technology Innovation Commercialization grant.
• Won 2020 Silicon Slopes Startup Competition
• Licensed patented technology to ophthalmic company.
• Grew from idea to a company selling tens of thousands of units with multiple employees.
• Created awareness and trust for entirely new health product category via digital marketing, influencers, content marketing, and press. (And a fantastic product!)
• Achieved multiple #1 rankings on Google.
• Received over a thousand five star reviews garnering attention on Forbes, Time, A&E, and other outlets.
• Awarded prestigious Utah Technology Innovation Commercialization grant.
• Won 2020 Silicon Slopes Startup Competition
• Licensed patented technology to ophthalmic company.
Vaporsens
CEO
Founder and CEO of Vaporsens, a University of Utah spin-out that is developing a multi-target explosives and narcotics "sniffer". No other technology provides this capability.
•... more Sold to Gentex (GNTX) in 2020.
• Raised over $2.5M through private investors, seed funds, the Department of Defense, and the National Science Foundation (SBIR).
• Grew R&D team to 7 full-time personnel.
• Presented at TedXSaltLakeCity, Nanotechnology For Defense (NT4D), Trace Explosives Detection Conference, and COMS (Commercialization of Micro & Nano Devices).
• Runner up in Utah Innovation Awards.
• Transitioned new management into company.
•... more Sold to Gentex (GNTX) in 2020.
• Raised over $2.5M through private investors, seed funds, the Department of Defense, and the National Science Foundation (SBIR).
• Grew R&D team to 7 full-time personnel.
• Presented at TedXSaltLakeCity, Nanotechnology For Defense (NT4D), Trace Explosives Detection Conference, and COMS (Commercialization of Micro & Nano Devices).
• Runner up in Utah Innovation Awards.
• Transitioned new management into company.
Silk Technologies
Founder
Co-founded medical device company and took a nascent Cornell University ophthalmic technology from idea to acquisition.
• Wrote, submitted, and awarded $1.3M in government... more grants from the National Science Foundation and Department of Defense. Was the Project Director on the grant.
• Developed business plan and pitch which won over $30k through competitions. Managed technology regulatory, reimbursement, licensing, marketing, and incorporation.
• Sarentis Ophthalmic, Inc. acquired all of the shares of Bombyx and Bombyx became a wholly owned subsidiary of Sarentis Ophthalmic, Inc.
• Company is now http://silk-tech.com
• Wrote, submitted, and awarded $1.3M in government... more grants from the National Science Foundation and Department of Defense. Was the Project Director on the grant.
• Developed business plan and pitch which won over $30k through competitions. Managed technology regulatory, reimbursement, licensing, marketing, and incorporation.
• Sarentis Ophthalmic, Inc. acquired all of the shares of Bombyx and Bombyx became a wholly owned subsidiary of Sarentis Ophthalmic, Inc.
• Company is now http://silk-tech.com
Johnson & Johnson
Product Marketing Intern
Refined a consumer insight into a formalized product concept during this summer project for a major J&J brand. Lead a cross functional team in naming, forecasting, pricing,... more and regulatory communications to prepare concept for consumer testing.
Founder
Employee
Projects
Glasses for Migraine and Light Sensitivity
Blocks the light that has been implicated in triggering and aggravating migraines.
Contact lenses for Migraine and Light Sensitivity
Contact lenses that have been shown to block the light that has been implicated in triggering and aggravating migraines and light sensitvity.
Education
About
Achievements
Founded Axon Optics to develop and sell eyewear for migraine and light sensitivity primarily through ecommerce. Grew to over $1M in sales.
Founded Vaporsens to develop a next generation "electronic nose". Raised over $2.5M and company was later sold to Gentex in 2020 (GNTX).
Founded Bombyx Technologies to develop a novel dry eye treatment technology, awarded over $1.3M and later raised over $14M.
I'm at my best when I'm creating value in new technologies. I do this by using lean startup principles and focusing on marketing and creative, pitching to key players, managing product development, and hustling.
Describe the most impressive thing you've done.
Locations