STAND2LEARN Closes an Investment Deal with the Research Valley Angel Fund
Under the umbrella of PositiveMotion, LLC, STAND2LEARN, LLC has brokered a deal with the Research Valley Angel Fund to provide bridge funding of the faculty-led startup company.
COLLEGE STATION, TX, January 12, 2013
James Lancaster, President of the fund noted that "Stand2Learn is a leader in providing innovative stand-biased desks and educational solutions that grew out of research conducted through the Texas A&M Health Science Center and for that and many other reasons, we are excited to be a part of the business and look forward to helping with the learning and wellbeing of each and every student."PositiveMotion, LLC was formed in the fall of 2008 but did not license the standing desk technology from Texas A&M until the fall of 2011 following startup investments by the founding members of the company. At that point, the company had been awarded a $150,000 Phase 1 SBIR grant from the Centers for Disease Control to develop products that might combat the growing problem of childhood obesity. Dr. Mark E. Benden, CPE, a faculty member of the School of Rural Public Health and the founder, designer and key-researcher of the company's patented products, indicates that "this latest round of funding will play a critical role in keeping the company growing while awaiting news of its second round of SBIR funds worth over $1million in non-dilutive investment. The company's new president, Mack Westbrook mentioned that "this development process will play a pivotal role in extending STAND2LEARN's track record of innovation, while helping it grow profitability."
Dr. Benden started this project over 4 years ago in elementary schools as a concept to fight childhood obesity and increase student focus. The concept has since grown into the development of 2 US Patented desk & stool versions and multiple patents pending. The current products accommodate Kinder through college as well as office settings.
STAND2LEARN desks are stand-biased giving the student the option to sit or stand in a classroom resulting in improved mobility, increased alertness, better focus on instruction & greater calorie burn rates. For further information, please contact use at (214)785-2125.