Tech Square Startups Shine at Fusen World Demo Day
On Tuesday, May 21, Fusen World hosted a demo day at The Clubhouse featuring multiple innovative startups from around the area. Founded in 2022, Fusen World is the brainchild of Chris Klaus (Internet Security Systems) and was launched to empower student founders across the world to successfully launch and grow their startups. In fact, many of the startups in and around Tech Square Atlanta have been fully or partially funded by Klaus and the Fusen Fund.
Startups featured at the showcase included modernistic approaches to a variety of challenges. FifthWheel, founded by Sugju Choi, is a dating app featuring group-based dating and has been launched at Georgia Tech. Its purpose is to facilitate connections between friend groups, straying away from the traditional one-on-one dating model. It matches friend groups that share similar interests with each other. Another startup named Chooka uses AI technology to simplify the process of gift giving with easy scanning and message creation.
A Modern Twist on Korean ‘Sogaeting’
Fifth Wheel is based on a common practice of group dating called 'Sogaeting' in Korea. In Sogaeting (소개팅), a group of friends, family members, or acquaintances arrange a group meeting and set up two people whom they believe are suitable for each other. This kind of dating culture is popular in other East Asian countries like Japan and Taiwan as well.
One startup, Raccoon Eyes, founded by Georgia Tech students Nathanael Koh, Ivan Zou, and Bowen “Bruce” Tan tackles the issue of food waste beginning with college campus dining halls. Their product is a trash can extension equipped with a camera and software that identifies and quantifies food waste, prompting students to provide feedback on why they are discarding their food. This data is then shared with dining hall managers and chefs to help them adjust portion sizes, improve food preparation, and reduce waste. The idea here is to enhance both the students’ dining experiences and sustainability. The Raccoon Eyes team has already garnered significant recognition, winning the Best Overall Project at the Fall 2022 Capstone Design Expo, second place at the 2023 Sustainable-X Showcase, and forming a partnership with Georgia Tech Dining Services.
Raccoon Eyes software identifies both the type and weight of food on a plate from a picture. (video: raccooneyesai.com)
Demo days at The Clubhouse not only highlight the innovative spirit thriving within Tech Square, but they also underscore the vital role companies like Fusen World play in nurturing entrepreneurship. Be sure to check out the TSQ Community Calendar for future demo days at Tech Square. Our new weekly event, TSQ Tuesdays, offers time for anyone to come in relax, connect, and engage in casual discussions with other members of the Tech Square community.
Written by Neema Tavakolian