Master’s Graduate Launches Healthcare Technology Startup

ATLANTA - Miranda Baras (M.I.S. '22) has been making strides in healthcare and entrepreneurship since earning her master's degree in biomedical science and enterprise from Georgia State's Institute for Biomedical Sciences.

As a student, Baras dreamed of launching her own business, and when she had a promising idea, she decided to take a leap of faith to pursue it. Through hard work, sacrifice and grit, she is bringing the idea to fruition.

In this Q&A, Baras discusses her new healthcare technology startup company Teravus, the triumphs and challenges of her entrepreneurship journey, and how Georgia State equipped her for success.

Question: You launched your startup company while you were still a master's student. Why did you want to become an entrepreneur?

Answer: I have always been an ideas person. It just never occurred to me that I could make my ideas a reality until my professors and fellow students encouraged me. I just thought I would put good ideas out into the world, hoping people with more money and resources would take them and make them real. However, everyone at GSU kept telling me, "No. You should do this. It's a good idea. You can do this."

Q: Tell us more about your startup company, Teravus. What type of services or products does the company offer?

A: Teravus is currently developing proprietary contactless biometric monitoring technology for the healthcare, public safety and defense technology spaces. I have two cofounders: Jason Murray and Dr. Marvin Slepian. Jason is a biomedical engineer and Dr. Slepian is a cardiologist and the director of the University of Arizona Center for Accelerated Biomedical Innovation (ACABI). Dr. Slepian is a newer addition to Teravus. We are very excited to have him because he has helped advance our technology.

Q: Can you discuss some of your recent accomplishments in your entrepreneurship journey?

A: We are very excited to have a minimum viable product (MVP) soon. We have been developing and testing the hardware component of our system at ACABI, and we're working on raising another round of funding to refine the hardware components and start developing a software algorithm. After we refine the hardware and develop the software, the device will be ready for use.

The device monitors patient vitals for individuals at risk of adverse events while they wait in emergency department waiting rooms or other hospital care areas. I can't elaborate on exactly how the technology works because we are in the process of filing a patent. It's a contactless device mounted to a wall or ceiling that monitors vital signs for everyone in a room. During room scans, if abnormal vitals appear, the device can hone in on a specific patient for further assessment and alert hospital staff of abnormalities.

Q: What are the next steps and future goals of your startup company?

A: Next steps are raising funds to complete research and development (R&D) and produce an MVP. Once the MVP is ready, we will work with partner agencies to pilot the device in a healthcare facility. Future goals include expanding our device use cases into the defense technology and public safety sectors.

Q: What is your advice to other people who want to become an entrepreneur? Have you faced challenges on your entrepreneurship journey?

A: I would advise people who want to become entrepreneurs to really evaluate themselves. You must know your own strengths and weaknesses. Use that knowledge to find others who can work with you to fill in the gaps. Ask others for advice and filter out what works for you, because not everything will apply to your situation. And be humble. When you meet people and they give you their time, always ask them how you can be of service and thank them. Gratitude goes a long way.

The biggest challenge we've faced is the industry we chose. Healthcare and the medical device space is highly regulated. It's not the classic six to 12 months from idea to market like many startups experience. Medical devices take years to get from idea to market.

Q: As you strive to become a successful business owner, do you still need to work a day job?

A: I still work a day job presently. My goal is to launch an MVP and work at Teravus full time. After graduating from GSU, I worked as a customer success manager at a healthcare technology company for a couple of years. Currently, I work in healthcare administration for the trauma program at a Level 1 trauma center in the metro area. My job involves building and maintaining relationships with partner agencies, quality assurance and quality improvement, marketing, education and outreach.

Q: Did the training you received in the Biomedical Science and Enterprise master's program help you succeed as an entrepreneur? Were any courses or experiences particularly beneficial?

A: The training I received at GSU has been immensely helpful, especially as an entrepreneur in the healthcare technology space. IBMS did a great job explaining the process of bringing innovations from bench to bedside. All of the entrepreneurship courses I took at the J. Mack Robinson College of Business helped me learn the steps to starting and running a business. I loved the customer discovery course. I use customer discovery principles frequently. The same with project management. Project management skills are useful in everyday life and at work.

Q: Since graduation, have you reached any other milestones or had pivotal experiences that you'd like to share?

A: After graduation I was featured in Tech Nation Magazine's "40 Under 40." That was exciting. Another pivotal experience on my startup journey was participating in the University of Cincinnati's Venture Lab Accelerator Program with my cofounder Jason. The accelerator program clarified the steps needed to propel Teravus forward and connected us with our third cofounder, Dr. Slepian, who has been an invaluable member of the team. After completing the program, we pitched to the Venture Lab investment team and were awarded seed funding, which was a huge win. The funding enabled us to begin research and development for our device. I don't think Teravus would be where it is today without UC and Venture Lab.

Q: Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

A: We are trying to raise another funding round, so if any angel investors are interested in connecting, we would love to chat with them.

- Interview by LaTina Emerson

- Photo by Meg Buscema