Adrian Lee, Director of the Institute for Precision Medicine at UPMC, Professor at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, and at the University of Pittsburgh, shared a post on LinkedIn by Richard King Mellon Foundation, adding:
“A great opportunity for Pittsburgh-based researchers and innovators. The Richard King Mellon Foundation’s next grant cycle is closing soon – worth a close look for teams advancing impactful work across the region. Applications due in just over a week.”
Quoting Richard King Mellon Foundation’s post:
“Only eight days left to apply for our next Social-Impact Investment Pitch Competition! If your startup is creating a meaningful social impact for people and communities, submit your application by December 19 for a chance to be one of up to four companies that will win a combined $1.5 million investment.
Gus Gear was a winner of the 2022 Social-Impact Pitch Competition. Gus Gear develops comprehensive securement devices for central venous catheters, feeding tubes, and peritoneal dialysis catheters. We spoke with founder Sarah Palya to discuss her mission, background, community partnerships, and her advice for other social-impact startups.
Q&A with Gus Gear
The Richard King Mellon Foundation focuses deeply on social good and community. What does that mean to you and your mission at Gus Gear?
To me, social good and community are about removing barriers so people can access care and support regardless of their circumstances. At Gus Gear, that belief is central to our mission. We’re committed to ensuring that acute and chronically ill patients who rely on our securement devices don’t bear the financial burden for them. We partner with hospitals so our devices are provided directly to patients, removing economic barriers and ensuring equitable access. We want every patient who needs our devices to have the same opportunity for safety, comfort, and better outcomes.
Can you tell us about your background and focus at Gus Gear?
I started the company because of my own experience with my son, Gus. He was diagnosed with intestinal failure over a decade ago, and I needed better protection for his central line. Since nothing existed, I created the first Central Line Vest to keep his catheter secure while allowing him to stay active. The challenges I faced keeping his medical devices safe began as a personal experience but grew into a company that now supports patients and families nationwide. That personal connection still drives our work every day.
Our focus is on helping patients keep their medical devices safe so they can live as fully and actively as possible while receiving treatments. We design and manufacture high-quality devices that protect and secure things like feeding tubes, central lines, and peritoneal dialysis catheters. These lines and tubes are essential to the delivery of therapies and care, but are also very fragile. Our devices allow patients – especially children – who are living with this medical equipment to be as active as possible while keeping them safe.
How do you collaborate with community partners or local organizations to ensure your solutions drive equitable impact?
We think about equity from both a community and a practical access standpoint. One way we put this into action is by locating our distribution center at AGH Suburban Hospital, keeping us closely connected to our local community. We also work directly with hospitals to make sure our products reach patients who might otherwise struggle to access them, including low-income families. And for patients who aren’t connected to a hospital system that provides our devices, we offer significant discounts, so cost isn’t a barrier.
In what ways has participating in the Social-Impact Investments Pitch Competition strengthened your ability to advance Gus Gear’s mission and expand your community impact?
Participating in the Pitch Competition has had an impact on our ability to grow our mission. The investment allowed us to open our first distribution space, intentionally located in an economically disadvantaged area. The discounts we offer to consumers who don’t have a hospital system providing our devices are supported by that investment, which means we can continue removing financial barriers for families who need our products the most. The competition didn’t just help us grow as a company, it really deepened our community impact.
What tips or advice do you have for other mission-driven startups applying before the December 19 deadline?
My advice is to highlight what makes you unique and what sets your solution or company apart. At the same time, keep the focus on your customers’ needs and how your work aligns with the Foundation’s mission. The combination of a clear differentiator and strong community connection – makes a strong application.
Applications for the next Pitch Competition close December 19. To learn more and apply, visit the Apply page on our website.”
More posts featuring Adrian Lee.