Cambridge eye screening tech brought to Earth via NASA trials

Using generative AI technology that its team previously developed to detect changes in the eyes of NASA astronauts, this simple photo can be turned into another imaging type that provides more rich data – allowing for the detection and monitoring of eye disease at home.

The company, which has entered two categories of the current Business Weekly Awards – Young Company and Graduate Business – is already toasting the founder for winning the Verizon Business and Unloc Young Entrepreneurs Challenge.

Dr Waisberg competed with strong contenders from across Europe to win £10,000, mentorship and a technology support package to help kickstart his product. He also wins a trip to the One Young World 2024 Global Summit, which brings together many of the brightest young leaders from over 190 countries.

AngioGenius solves a massive problem globally as screening programs worldwide are not performing well enough – causing millions of people around the world to go blind.

The Young Entrepreneurs Challenge that Dr Waisberg won is an annual online tech entrepreneurship competition for young people with a great business idea or concept.

Now in its sixth year, the Challenge tasks young people aged between 16 and 25 to devise a tech-led business idea that enriches and benefits the planet. The winning proposition must improve people’s lives, whether that be socially or in the community, or meeting UN Sustainability Development goals.

This year’s challenge uncovered solutions including a new bladeless hydro generator, a hybrid sunlight system that utilises advanced optics with a sun-tracking mechanism, and the AngioGenius generative AI technology to improve eye disease screening programs.

From his research work with NASA astronauts, Dr Waisberg found a way to use generative AI to allow the eyes of astronauts to be better monitored while in spaceflight, where limited imaging equipment exists. Now he is bringing this technology to Earth at a fraction of the cost to current and widely used eye disease screening programs.

“I’m extremely impressed with all the other finalists and I feel honoured to be here and to have won,” Dr Waisberg said on being unveiled as the winner.

“I’m really excited as this funding will enable us to carry out clinical trials and help reduce blindness worldwide. I’m also excited by the support and mentorship being offered by Verizon and Unloc to help my company take the next steps to growth.”

AngioGenius is on the Pre-Accelerate Programme at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School.