The Opportunity or Challenge
SafetySpect’s work focuses on advancing and commercializing technologies that can identify issues earlier, enable smart documentation, and improve quality of life. In food safety and industrial settings, SafetySpect is developing systems to prevent outbreaks by identifying contamination and other invisible hazards that traditional inspection methods may miss. In healthcare, SafetySpect’s technology visualizes tissue oxygenation in real time, enabling earlier intervention, better documentation, and defensible reimbursement claims. Our goal is to create new solutions to solve massive problems faced in the markets we serve.
The North Dakota Advantage
North Dakota’s collaborative biotechnology and innovation ecosystem has played an important role in supporting SafetySpect growth, particularly through strong university partnerships, commercialization support, and industry connectivity.
A key contributor has been the company’s collaboration with the University of North Dakota, which has provided valuable research engagement, technical collaboration opportunities, access to talented students, and connections within the state’s innovation ecosystem. UND’s support for applied research and commercialization has helped create an environment where emerging technologies can be developed and advanced toward real-world deployment.
SafetySpect has also benefited from engagement with the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the state’s broader agriculture innovation ecosystem. North Dakota’s agriculture-focused grant and innovation programs help support important research, technology commercialization, precision agriculture initiatives.
In addition, local chambers of commerce and regional business organizations have helped facilitate networking, visibility, and relationship-building with industry leaders, healthcare stakeholders, and potential partners throughout North Dakota. Economic development resources, including support and engagement from organizations such as the North Dakota Development Fund, LIFT-related innovation initiatives, and the North Dakota Trade Office, have further strengthened the company’s ability to pursue commercialization, strategic partnerships, and market expansion opportunities.
Overall, North Dakota’s accessible and collaborative innovation environment has enabled SafetySpect to build meaningful partnerships across academia, agriculture, healthcare, and economic development while continuing to advance cutting-edge imaging and AI technologies.
Impact & Results
SafetySpect has achieved several important milestones demonstrating progress in technology development, commercialization, strategic partnerships, and real-world impact across healthcare, agriculture, and industrial applications.
Key achievements and measurable outcomes include:
Secured/awarded approximately $19M to date in non-dilutive funding, contracts, investments, and commercialization support to advance research, product development, and market expansion
Growing our team to about 17 members, supporting high-skilled innovation and technology development. Multiple team members are previous UND students who continued to full-time employment with SafetySpect after graduation.
Launch of two commercial products utilizing advanced imaging and artificial intelligence technologies
Selection for and participation in a major ARPA-H award with UND supporting the advancement of innovative healthcare technologies
Progress in developing additional technologies, including technologies for wound assessment, pressure injure prevention, and food authentication.
Advancement of intellectual property, proprietary imaging methodologies, and applied AI capabilities supporting long-term commercialization and scalability
Continued engagement with North Dakota economic development, innovation, and commercialization programs to support company growth and statewide technology leadership
Through these efforts, SafetySpect continues to advance technologies designed to improve outcomes, enhance safety and quality monitoring, and contribute to North Dakota’s growing biotechnology and innovation economy.
Looking Ahead
SafetySpect is now focused primarily on continuing its commercial expansion and scaling the deployment of its imaging and artificial intelligence technologies across healthcare, agriculture, food safety, and industrial markets. The company’s future goals include growing customer adoption, expanding strategic partnerships, and increasing commercialization opportunities both within North Dakota and nationally.
“North Dakota has created a uniquely supportive environment for biotech companies through its strong university partnerships, collaborative business community, economic development programs, and innovation-focused funding resources. The unique accessibility of these resources has helped accelerate commercialization opportunities, support emerging companies, and strengthen North Dakota’s position as a growing leader in biotechnology and applied innovation.”
– Kenneth Barton, President.