Kirenaga founder and CEO David Scalzo talks about the growing interest in the use of UV light to disinfect surfaces amid the coronavirus crisis.

To hear David’s full interview click here
Kirenaga founder and CEO David Scalzo talks about the growing interest in the use of UV light to disinfect surfaces amid the coronavirus crisis.
To hear David’s full interview click here
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced an ultraviolet (UV) light pilot program proven to kill COVID-19, with the first phase set to launch on subways, buses, and other New York City Transit facilities throughout the system early next week.
The MTA pilot will deploy approximately 150 dual-headed mobile devices from Denver-based startup PURO Lighting to test and evaluate the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of UVC technology in a number of settings across New York City Transit including trains, buses, stations and occupational facilities, using strict protocols and procedures to ensure the safety of the employees and customers. After evaluation, the pilot’s second phase will expand to Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North.
To read the full article click here
Since the pandemic began, the race has been on for new ways to protect yourself from coronavirus.
Just weeks ago, an advisor with the Department of Homeland Security said that they found the virus dies under ultraviolet rays.
“UV absolutely kills coronavirus,” Violet Defense CEO Terry Berland said.
Berland showed News 6 the technology behind his SAGE units, which stands for surface air germ elimination.
The high-powered flashes of light can clean a space with greater efficiency than aerosol disinfectant sprays because it also neutralizes the air, Berland said.
The bulbs are much more powerful than what you would find in something like a tanning bed, he added. Because of the strength of the technology and UV rays, Berland said the units won’t run if they detect someone present in a room.
Over the past couple of months, Berland said the company has seen an exponential growth in orders.
“We’re about seven times where we were back in February,” he said.
Violet Defense employees have already installed the company’s technology in places like the Amway Center, the arena where Orlando’s NBA team plays, and the Orange County Convention Center.
“Those are just the kinds of spaces that no one ever thought about using UV for disinfecting,” Berland said. “No one ever thought about disinfection as a big thing. Post-COVID, I think all of the world is going to think about all that differently.”
IROC Decontamination is utilizing the technology as part of a newly-debuted mobile trailer that will aid first responders out in the field.
“We’re ready to start moving this around,” IROC Decontamination President Serg Albino said.
Albino told News 6 the trailer will help Seminole County deputies and firefighters with disinfecting gear.
“Decontaminating their bomb suits, their hazmat gear and the larger equipment,” he said. “You can decontaminate a lot of things in about 15 minutes. Large things you cannot spray down with aerosol peroxide, things that corrode easily, and electronics.”
To view the article and watch the video click here
Kirenaga Partners is pleased to announce it completed a Series A investment in Violet Defense Group, a technology leader in providing ultraviolet lighting solutions for germ disinfection, as well as agricultural lighting solutions for indoor growing.
Orlando-based Violet Defense utilizes its patented ultraviolet lighting technology to provide full-spectrum germ-killing. Violet Defense’s Surface and Air Germ Elimination (S.A.G.E.) devices can be used in mobile deployments or permanently installed, and their products are currently used in operating rooms, hotels, schools, ambulances, food processing, and athletic facilities. Violet Defense has previously announced collaborations with Siemens and the Orlando Magic, and most recently, is working with Koch Industries in a design collaboration to address PPE and mask issues associated with the COVID-19 crisis.
The investment, led by Kirenaga with participation from existing investor Northwestern University, comes at a time when demand for virus-killing solutions is increasing due to COVID-19. Violet Defense has raised more than $10 million in venture funding, with the vast majority provided by Kirenaga.
Violet Defense expects to use the proceeds to expand its management team, invest in next generation products for both the domestic and international marketplace, and rapidly ramp up manufacturing capacity to meet increased customer demand.
For more information, please contact:
Kirenaga Partners
Dave Scalzo
Managing Partner
(914) 202-6046
david.scalzo@kirenaga.com
Leighton Yenor
Marketing
(407) 575-3918
leighton.yenor@kirenaga.com
Violet Defense
Terrance Berland
Chief Executive Officer
(407) 433-1104 ext 1004
tberland@violetdefense.com
Jessica Jones
Marketing
(407) 433-1104 ext 1002
jjones@violetdefense.com
ORLANDO, Fla. – CEO of Violet Defense, Terrance Berland, said on Wednesday that his company’s product could cut down on the spread of the coronavirus.
Their machine uses ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) light to kill bacteria, germs, and viruses like the coronavirus.
Innovation & Tech Today has published an article acknowledging the potential of Violet Defense to revolutionize cleanliness. Specifically recognized is how Violet Defense’s proprietary Surface and Air Germ Elimination (S.A.G.E.) technology can not only reduce the need for toxic and environmentally damaging chemicals for disinfection, but can also reduce the generation of waste such as used cleaning wipes.
At Kirenaga, we remain extremely bullish on the potential of Violet Defense to provide a more sustainable option to protecting people from disease in myriad contexts. We can’t wait to see what comes next for the Violet Defense team.
To read the Innovation & Tech Today article yourself, please find it at the link below.
Germs of all kinds can prove to be obstacles to academic success, reducing academic performance and causing absences. Therefore, Jewish Academy of Orlando has installed Violet Defense germ-killing UV solutions across their facilities. By improving student and teacher health, the school hopes to reduce absences and improve the general health of its community.
You can read a Heritage Florida article on the development at the link below.
In order to expand its customer reach, Violet Defense has entered into an agreement with LSC Technologies. LSC Tech will serve as the master distributor of the Violet Defense UV technology for commercial customers looking to incorporate it into their cleaning and disinfection protocols. As a result, we hope to see Violet Defense solutions in the hands of more users in the near future.
If you would like to read more about the agreement, please see the Orlando Business Journal article at the link below.
NBA.com published an article on how the Orlando Magic is making the health of its players a priority, and as a result they mentioned our friends at Violet Defense. Also, our very own Terry Berland supplied a quote for the article!
If you would like to read the NBA.com article yourself, you can find it at the link below.
Few things can bring a hot streak to an end like a few key players getting sick, so the Orlando Magic have decided to hedge that risk by deploying Violet Defense UV germ-killing units in key facility locations. By helping keep their athletes healthy and free of diseases like MRSA, the Magic hope to gain an edge over their competition with this first-of-a-kind partnership.
You can read an Orlando Sentinel article on the announcement at the link below.
You can also read the press release directly at the following link.