Cory Allison and Kelly Good, CRNA, Co-Founders of KelCor, LLC
Q: Can you tell us a little about your business?
A: KelCor is working to solve the problem of current taping practices in the sterile operating room environment. It’s well-documented in medical literature — rolls of tape are an identified contributor to disease transmission and postoperative healthcare-acquired infections.
We have developed a single-use taping solution that borrows on current clinical practice for securing the airway and closing the eyes in an unconscious patient that is both efficient and clean. As such, it’s practical and essential for practitioners in the operating room but also appropriate for emergency room clinicians and rescue personnel.
Q: What was/were your biggest takeaway(s) from the HealthTech Accelerator? How has that influenced your work since you completed the program?
A: From Kelly’s perspective, as a practicing CRNA with no business and startup experience, the HealthTech Accelerator was incredibly informative
We also made wonderful connections and established friendships with our cohort of participants. And lastly, as a company in its infancy during the program, our product concept evolved with the feedback we received and was continuously validated as we gained exposure.
Q: Can you tell us a little about what’s in store for your business and/or what you’re most excited about in 2020?
A: After discovering and partnering with a stateside manufacturer last summer, we produced the first prototype of our airway securing kit.
By the end of 2019, we had completed proof of concept testing in the clinical environment with the product. Evaluations by clinicians overall enthusiastically affirmed the need for this product—and provided insightful clinical feedback on product design and application.
Since the start of 2020, we have incorporated clinician feedback from the trial into our design and have tested a modified second generation version. This new design has been positively received, and we have plans to broaden market reach this spring with the hope of sales by the end of the summer.
Each step of the way, as the product gains more exposure and awareness, we continue to be humbled by the support we are receiving and the offers for help in pushing this product to the marketplace.
