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CALTECH: ARGES IMAGING
Product: 3-D imaging scanner
Chief Executive: Dave Licata
Year Founded: 2008
Location: Pasadena
What Is It?
Dave Licata: Arges Imaging is a 3-D imaging technology company. Arges uses proprietary hardware and methodology based upon Dr. Morteza Gharib’s pioneering work to produce 3-D models in real time from a simple 2-D video stream. Arges’ 3-D imaging distinguishes itself from other 3-D imaging technology by using very low cost and compact hardware to produce highly accurate 3-D models. The company has focused on the dental imaging field and has developed a handheld scanner that can directly scan teeth in order to create restorations such as crowns and bridges.
What was the biggest challenge in developing the technology?
The dental application required the image processing to be in real time. In other words, it had to be able to process 3-D information from each video frame in the space of time between video frames. Other companies that had tried to commercialize similar systems spent tens of millions of dollars and many years on this problem without success.
What was the biggest challenge of starting the company?
One of the biggest challenges was the location of the company. Initially, the company was located in an incubator in Orange County. This meant moving the core team of engineers who were mostly Caltech graduates from the Pasadena area to Orange County. In the end, however, the company moved back to Pasadena in order to be closer to Caltech and also to improve the quality of life of the core team of engineers. This decision was critical to the success of the company and speaks to the importance of a company taking a holistic approach to company culture. In the end, a startup company’s most important assets are its people, and their happiness and loyalty are as important as their talent and drive.
If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?
If I could go back in time I would probably have built more support around the core team faster. At a technology startup, the primary emphasis is on building the core team of engineers, but it is remarkable how much more efficient they can be when surrounded by supporting personnel. These non-engineers can act as force multipliers, and can allow the engineers to focus on the activities they do best and enjoy. In the medical device field, the regulatory burden can be stifling to creativity at the worst or can slow down development at the least. Expanding the team early on with smart and talented people whose primary responsibility is not innovating the technology allows the engineers to be more efficient and focused.
What’s next?
Releasing our product to market.
