Posts Tagged ‘#VioletDefenseTechnology’

Violet Defense Partners With First Responders for UV Disinfection Public Education

Posted on: September 20th, 2021 by Kirenaga Partners

Disinfection technology firm encourages communities to learn how to disinfect their businesses and facilities using UV technology

With the resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic, Violet Defense, a Florida-based UV technology company, looks to expand its partnership with several businesses and work with first-responders to educate the public about the power of UV disinfection technology. 

Violet Defense already works with several businesses in and around its headquarters city, Orlando, including Orange County Convention Center, Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention, the Jewish Academy of Orlando, and Shepherd’s Hope medical clinic. It also works alongside public safety officials to provide UV disinfection technology for their own facilities and educate the public about how to safely disinfect their own spaces. Fire departments have adopted this technology for use in the back of ambulances and for emergency management command centers. A fire department in Caldwell, Idaho, built the technology into their newest fire station in break rooms, bathrooms, bunk rooms, and weight rooms.

“UV disinfection technology will be a key tool in overcoming the prevalence and spread of COVID-19 and other dangerous viruses in public places,” said Terrance Berland, CEO of Violet Defense. “Violet Defense looks forward to continuing and expanding its partnerships with first responders to help protect those that fight every day to keep us all safe.”

UV technology harnesses the power of the sun to disinfect indoor places. For more than 140 years, research has proven that UV and violet-blue light is effective at destroying germs. It does so by producing electromagnetic energy that can destroy the ability of microorganisms to reproduce and by causing photochemical reactions in the crucial nucleic acids, DNA and RNA.

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Germ-fighting Orlando tech firm Violet Defense raises another $6M

Posted on: September 20th, 2021 by Kirenaga Partners

A disinfection technology firm undergoing a big growth spurt just raised millions of dollars for more hiring and international expansion. 

Orlando-based Violet Defense Group Inc. raised $6 million, according to an amended U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission document filed Sept. 14.

The maker of ultraviolet light systems for disinfection and agriculture has raised at least $20 million since it was founded in 2012, landing customers across the country and growing its staff to 20 employees. 

The funds will help Violet Defense grow in multiple areas, Vice President of Marketing Jessica Jones told Orlando Inno. That includes further research and development at Violet Defense, agriculture lighting subsidiary Violet Gro and ecoSPEARS, an Altamonte Springs-based water and soil decontamination startup Violet Defense is partnered with. 

“This round will be used to support expansion of the team, international expansion of Violet Defense Group and increased research and development efforts across the portfolio,” Jones said. She did not specify how much the company plans to expand its staff. 

The company raised the money as part of an ongoing Series B round that’s expected to close by the end of September, Jones said. Kirenaga Partners LLC, an investment firm co-headquartered in Orlando and Bronxville, New York, led this portion of the round. Kirenaga is a longtime investor in Violet Defense, and Kirenaga Managing Partner Terry Berland is also Violet Defense’s CEO. 

Investment capital often is critical for startups since it funds companies as they scale up while also providing business expertise and industry connections.

This deal may mean more growth at Violet Defense. Between January 2020 and March 2021, the firm’s revenue increased 10-fold, Berland previously told Orlando Business Journal. 

Meanwhile, the company has landed big-name partners and customers. Violet Defense technology will be used in the Orlando Magic AdventHealth Training Center that will open in 2022. Plus, the company in 2020 landed a licensing agreement with lighting giant Acuity Brands Inc.

Interest in disinfection technology surged as a result of public health concerns spiking amid the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021, the focus in that industry shifted to long-term solutions, such as the implementation of disinfection technology into the design of new buildings, according to Rob Panepinto, co-founder and managing partner of clean tech advisement firm ForgeGreen Bio. “Will there be another Covid, or something different?”

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Central Florida Tech fund invests in 7th startup. Here’s what’s next.

Posted on: September 20th, 2021 by Kirenaga Partners

When venture capital firm Kirenaga Inc. prepped the launch of its Central Florida Tech fund nearly two years ago, some investors asked the same question. 

The investors kicked their money into the fund, primarily focused on early-stage investments in tech companies between the Gulf Coast and Space Coast, but they were curious if they would get their money back if Kirenaga failed to find enough investable firms, Kirenaga Partner Jim Thomas told Orlando Inno. “I said ‘Are you kidding me?’”

Instead of struggling to find companies, the fund is going strong. The Central Florida Tech Fund announced July 25 it made its seventh startup investment, and sixth in Florida, into Gainesville-based Mattrix Technologies Inc. The rollout of the fund was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, but it since has moved quickly: Millions of dollars were invested into seven companies in less than a year. 

That’s just the start for the fund. Kirenaga plans to raise $100 million and invest in 15-20 startups over three years. In fact, Kirenaga is seriously eyeing six more companies to invest in the near future, Thomas said. 

Space balloons, drone tech and more

In addition to Mattrix, Central Florida Tech fund’s investments include: 

  • Censys Technologies Corp.: Daytona Beach-based firm enabling drones to fly faster and further 
  • ecoSPEARS Inc.: Altamonte Springs-based company with tech that removes contaminants from soil and water
  • Phenix: Chicago-based firm with real-time video streaming technology 
  • Space Perspective Inc.: Based at Kennedy Space Center, the company will send tourists to the edge of the atmosphere in a balloon capsule.
  • StemRad Inc.: Headquartered in Tampa and Israel, the firm makes personal protective equipment to protect against radiation. 
  • Violet Defense LLC: Orlando-based developer of ultraviolet light-based disinfection systems (Company CEO Terrance Berland also is a Kirenaga managing partner) 

These investments are important because the money can help the companies grow, creating jobs and innovative solutions and technologies in the process. For example, ecoSPEARS expects to grow its staff from 15 people to 40 or more by the end of 2022 as a result of its growth, Executive Vice President Ian Doromal previously told OBJ.

Plus, Thomas said the deal highlights the Central Florida Tech Fund’s thesis: There are investable, scalable tech firms in Florida but a lack of early-stage capital. “Florida and Central Florida are the most undercapitalized places in the country that also have the most opportunities.” 

Last quarter, venture capital activity in metro Orlando lagged behind other regional metros, according to data from PitchBook and the National Venture Capital Association. Local companies raised $84.3 million in the second quarter, compared to $990 million in Atlanta, $831 million in Miami, $251 million in Charlotte and $239 million in Nashville. Orlando did surpass the $25 million invested in Tampa companies. 

Priming the pump 

However, venture capital deals are up in all of Central Florida’s metros as 2021 is on pace to be a record year for nationwide startup investments, according to PitchBook and the National Venture Capital Association. From second-quarter 2020 to second-quarter 2021, venture capital investment is up 103% to $84.3 million in Orlando, up 2,000% to $10.6 million in Melbourne and up from zero to $9.8 million in Daytona Beach. 

More big startup investments may be on the way to the region, said Ben Patz, managing partner of Orlando-based venture capital firm DeepWork Capital LLC. Central Florida is home to plenty of investable technology, but it takes time and money to build toward a larger, more plentiful investment scene, he said. “It’s like priming a pump.”

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Violet Defense is Helping Businesses Get Back to Normal

Posted on: March 26th, 2021 by Kirenaga Partners

ORLANDO, Fla., March 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — One of the most technologically advanced solutions to fighting the virus, which can disinfect nearly every part of a facility is UV Light. Violet Defense is a Florida-based disinfection technology firm offering a distinctive UVsolution and has partnered with numerous companies and venues to support them in their back-to-business reopening plans and protection of employees.

The Jewish Academy of Orlando, Orange County Convention Center, and Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention have directly experienced how Violet Defense’s patented pulsed Xenon technology can provide businesses with the tools they need to re-open and help people feel safer in the places they live, work, play and learn every day.

The recent passing of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 includes approximately $128 billion for local education agencies as they look to re-open for face-to-face instruction. The Jewish Academy of Orlando has reported that zero COVID-19 transmissions have occurred on their campus, and they credit a significant portion of that outcome to the use of UV technology. As can be expected with new technology and unprecedented situations, some staff and faculty at the academy were skeptical of the tech’s efficacy. However, according to Alan Rusonik, Head of School, those on the fence have now become supporters of the system. “We believe that Violet Defense is what is keeping our school safe. It is truly making a difference,” said Rusonik. Teachers at the academy have expressed confidence and appreciation of how user-friendly and efficient the tools are as “all they have to do is push a button, and 30 minutes later, the room is sanitized.”

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Violet Defense Announces Expanded Partnership With Orlando Magic to Continue Protecting Its Team With Patented UV Germ-Killing Technology

Posted on: March 23rd, 2021 by Kirenaga Partners

ORLANDO, Fla., March 16, 2021 (Newswire.com) – The Orlando Magic announce an expanded partnership with Violet Defense, an Orlando-based germ-killing company with patented UV technology. Violet Defense will become the official UV disinfection partner of the Orlando Magic. The updated partnership will also include the installation of their technology in the Magic’s new training facility, the AdventHealth Training Center, slated to open in the second quarter of 2022. 

As part of the expanded partnership, the Magic will also be able to take the same technology that protects their facilities at the Amway Center wherever they travel to on the road with the consumer version of Violet Defense’s UV disinfection system. 

“Through our collaboration with Violet Defense over the last couple of years, we have been able to easily incorporate their technology throughout our spaces as part of our on-going efforts to keep our facilities safe and healthy for our team,” said Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman.  “When we started planning the new training facility, we knew right away that Violet Defense needed to be an integral part of our plans and are thrilled about what this expanded partnership will continue to bring to our team.” 

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Violet Defense is proud to be apart of the back-to-business stride. By harnessing the power of UV, we help businesses feel more confident about opening back up to the public.

Posted on: March 23rd, 2021 by Kirenaga Partners

Thanks to Violet Defense’s Patented Disinfection Technology ‘Hands-On’ Cade Museum Reopens Doors

Posted on: March 23rd, 2021 by Kirenaga Partners

Violet Defense and Cade Museum restore human connection in Gainesville, FL, community.

ORLANDO, Fla., March 9, 2021 (Newswire.com) – Violet Defensethe only manufacturer of pulsed Xenon UV disinfection devices that can be installed and operated autonomously, is a proud partner with the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention. The Cade Museum installed Violet Defense technology across the premises to successfully reopen June 5, 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. This collaboration allowed the museum to disinfect the air and surfaces, protect museum employees and visitors, and remain open today.

During the pandemic, museums, performing arts and other cultural organizations across the globe had to close their doors, making it challenging to fulfill their missions. As part of the COVID-19 relief package passed in December, the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program appropriated $15 billion to help live theater operators, performing arts organizations, museums, and other venues reopen and resume operations, including for expenses to help protect their workers from coronavirus.   

“Violet Defense enabled us to remain as a functioning business. Without that type of technology, I don’t believe our team would have felt comfortable coming back into our space. But this technology also allowed us to bring back a sense of normalcy and restore human connection during these trying times,” said Stephanie Bailes, Executive Director of the Cade Museum.

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Violet Defense Expands to More Countries With Gen 3 Product Launch

Posted on: March 23rd, 2021 by Kirenaga Partners

The Patented UV Disinfection Technology Debuts with Universal Voltage

ORLANDO, Fla., February 25, 2021 (Newswire.com) – Violet Defense, a leader in UV-disinfecting lighting products, is shining a new light with its latest offering, the Gen 3 Universal Voltage product line.

Violet Defense is known for its innovative pulsed Xenon UV light germ-fighting technology that eliminates up to 99.9 percent of E. coli, Salmonella, and coronavirus. Now, with the Gen 3 Universal Voltage product line, this proven disinfection technology can be used anywhere throughout the world.

This allows Violet Defense to expand its distribution network globally selling to a larger international audience. Now, customers worldwide can be protected from pathogens with Violet Defense’s technology.

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Will We Be Ready for the Next Pandemic?

Posted on: March 22nd, 2021 by Kirenaga Partners

The world must move urgently in 2021 to develop strategies and systems for fighting diseases that could be even deadlier than Covid-19

Fast forward to 2023. The Covid-19 pandemic is largely behind us. Most of the world has been vaccinated, though we have to tamp down occasional flare-ups and people sometimes still wear masks. While we mourn the millions who died, we have entered a post-pandemic world in which most things are more or less as they were before Covid-19. Travel and trade are unrestricted; everything from dinner parties and big weddings to stadium concerts and megachurch services are being held again; and economies are booming to keep pace with pent-up demand.

Then, just as suddenly as Covid-19 emerged, disease detectives discover a fresh cluster of a new, pneumonia-like illness. Testing quickly confirms that it isn’t a variant of Covid-19 but a new influenza virus that jumped—somehow, somewhere—from birds to humans. The new virus is as infectious as the one that caused Covid-19 but four times as deadly. And unlike Covid-19, but like the devastating 1918 influenza pandemic, the new virus is particularly deadly to young adults—and, in this case, also to children.

A horrifying influenza pandemic isn’t the only nightmare scenario that could be worse than Covid-19. Think of the hundreds of thousands of cases of tick-borne Lyme disease in the U.S. each year. In other parts of the world, some ticks spread Ebola-like illnesses, and if these infections spread to the U.S., tick-bites could also lead to a disease with the terrifying lethality of Ebola. Or a highly drug-resistant bacterium could spread rapidly. Or a laboratory could develop an untreatable, vaccine-defying strain of a virus or bacterium and—intentionally or by accident—release it into the world.

The world wasn’t ready for Covid-19. Will we be ready for the next, inevitable pandemic?

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How one company is zapping germs away on transit systems

Posted on: June 1st, 2020 by Kirenaga Partners

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