Emerging Technology Aims to Predict the Probability of Wildfires

Emerging Technology Aims to Predict the Probability of Wildfires

Seattle, Washington – July 31, 2023 – With Canada facing the worst fire season in 100 years, and the US not faring any better, solutions to combat our changing climate threats would be welcome reprieve. Thankfully, one of Empowered Startups’ entrepreneurs is working on a system to help with early detection and prevention through innovative technology.

Through Empowered Startups’ EB2 Startup Visa program, and in partnership with the William E. Boeing Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics at the University of Washington (UW), founder Yomi Bakare mentored a team of six UW undergraduate students enrolled in the department’s capstone program during a five-month period in planning, strategizing, and building an early quadrotor prototype.

The R&D project aimed to build a quadrotor prototype that can be used by governments and agencies to predict, identify, and/or manage increasingly frequent and powerful climate disasters using Internet-of-Things (IoT) technologies. Specifically, the quadrotor prototype would be designed to combat forest fires by gathering specific data points using build-in sensors and processing this data using software to decode the probability and risk severity of an event.

In this first round of R&D to reach a minimum viable product, the undergraduate team at the UW was able to create the framework of interconnected systems for quadrotor function, build out the avionics architecture connecting the sensors, battery power and remote control mechanism into a centralized system, and test several system components conducive to the quadrotor’s flight carrying a payload of equipment that would serve to send important data back to a ground control system and sustain battery power.

“The project is a timely initiative, as evidenced by the current global climate challenges the world is facing. Any attempt to provide potential mitigations to these climate challenges deserves to receive the attention and support of academia, civil organizations, businesses, and governments. We must take care of this planet for our collective well-being,” says Bakare.

The end goal of Mr. Bakare’s R&D is to have a commercially viable unmanned aerial vehicle prototype that will:

  • Be remotely controlled to fly beyond line of visual sight with suitable endurance to areas of potential wildfires;
  • Have built-in sensors and cameras that can detect, gather, and transmit environmental data in real-time into a remote cloud for processing;
  • Have accompanying software that will receive real-time data from the built-in sensors and cameras from the remote cloud and process that data using sophisticated predesigned algorithms to predict wildfires.

So, what’s next for Yomi Bakare and the quadrotor? He is continuing to work on the prototype with hopes of completion in the near future.

“We will continue to collaborate with value-adding partners to enable us to bring the project to market within the possible shortest time frame. Work continues to refine the aerial vehicle and develop the accompanying software,” Bakare shares. “We will also work to ‘harden the UAV airframe’ to be able to handle extreme temperatures and accelerate the development of the software for predicting the probability of wildfires.”

Learn more about the EB2 Startup Visa program today.

Global Business Incubator, Empowered Startups, Featured in Forbes

Global Business Incubator, Empowered Startups, Featured in Forbes

January 31, 2023 – Vancouver, British Columbia – Global incubator & foundry, Empowered Startups, today announced that their incubation programs for international founders have been featured in Forbes.

Empowered’s EB2 NIW Startup Investor Program was specifically noted for being one of the key ways to get a green card to live in the United States permanently. Empowered is also known for their award winning delivery of the Canada Startup Visa Program, and as a delivery partner for Portugal’s HQA Visa Program.

Empowered Startups is recognized by the Canadian Government as a designated start-up business incubator, the delivery partner for Portugal’s HQA Visa Program, and a trusted partner with University research institutions to carry out the United States EB2 – NIW Startup Investor Visa Program.

About Empowered Startups
Empowered Startups is an Innovative Startup Incubator and foundry headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. With offices in Canada, France, and Portugal, we train/mentor/ and network entrepreneurs to successfully launch new businesses in diverse markets. As a foundry we also conceive, build and launch our own products and solutions. Empowered Startups is recognized by the Canadian Government as a designated start-up business incubator and is known internationally for growing ideas into sustainable businesses using both a virtual and on-site model. Our training tools and mentorship are used and recognized by leading global university labs, Startup incubators, and innovation hubs. Apply for our programs online at empoweredstartups.com

EB2 NIW Top 4 FAQ’s

EB2 NIW Top 4 FAQ’s

 Our Top 4 EB2 NIW Frequently Asked Questions

As you can imagine we get quite a few questions about our United States EB2-NIW Startup Investor Program. We thought it would be great to provide clarity on the top 4 that we see over and over again!

 

What is the EB2-NIW Visa Program?

The EB2-NIW Program is a fast track program for accomplished business people looking to obtain residency in the United States. The EB2 NIW Visa itself is a visa that grants a foreign national lawful permanent residency without the requirement of an employment offer. The job offer requirement is waived if the candidate can prove that his permanent residence in the U.S. would be of “national interest” and would benefit the country. The Empowered Startups EB2 NIW Startup Investor Program matches qualified international applicants with R&D opportunities in their field of expertise. Empowered then secures the required support from a United States research institution, becomes the liaison for the R&D work, and provides business incubation for the startup that the R&D is supporting.

 

What are the Advantages of the Program?

  • Full concierge service from Empowered to determine the appropriate domain in which you would like to innovate, negotiate and secure your NIW qualifying R&D with a motivated and supporting research institution, as well as coordinate your R&D plan including a partnership with a leading research entity.
  • Empowered Startups will act as your business incubator and liaison for all R&D work.
  • Empowered startups will secure required letters of support from your United States research institution that state why & how your startup is most definitely in the national interest of the United States. 
  • No labor certification is required
  • Families are welcome
  • No language requirement
  • Fully refundable

 

Who Can Qualify for the EB2 NIW Visa Program?

To successfully obtain an EB2 NIW Visa, an applicant must show:

  • That their proposed endeavor is of “substantial merit and national importance” (Empowered will ensure this is achieved)
  • That they are “well-positioned” to execute their proposed endeavor (Empowered will ensure this is achieved)
  • That, on balance, it would be in the national interest to waive the job offer  (Empowered will ensure this is achieved)

“Substantial merit and national importance” can be shown by starting a venture and conducting R&D  in a variety of different fields including education, health, biotech, pharma, manufacturing, technology, science, and business. The applicant doesn’t need to demonstrate the economic benefits of their work but may, instead, frame their proposal in terms of its broader impact on the social good. Bringing a large number of jobs through opening a new type of factory in an economically struggling region, for example, could be seen as an endeavor of national importance, despite its local scope.

The applicant needs to demonstrate that they are “well-positioned” to successfully execute their project. (Empowered’s incubation program ensures this is made clear to USCIS).

In addition to the above, the applicant must show that they have either the foreign equivalent of an advanced degree or an exceptional ability (this could be a variety of things).

Tip: It’s important to be sure that the advanced degree is actually equivalent to its U.S. counterpart. For example, in certain countries a law degree can be obtained at the baccalaureate level and, therefore, would not be considered an advanced degree. 

 

 

When is the best time to apply?

Now. The United States is in the process of rolling out several phases of premium processing for EB2 NIW applications and working on clearing backlogs. The sooner you apply, the sooner you will be eligible for premium processing.

 

How much does it cost?

The all inclusive price for the program is $175,000 USD – Of which part is invested in Research & Development in a domain in which you have expertise, capitalization for your new company, corporate accounting and legal fees, immigration legal fees, and incubation fees. 

 

About Empowered Startups
Empowered Startups is an innovative startup incubator and foundry with USA headquarters in Seattle, Washington. With offices in Canada, the United States, and Portugal. We train/mentor/ and network entrepreneurs to successfully launch new businesses in diverse markets. As a foundry we also conceive, build, and launch our own products and solutions. Empowered Startups is recognized internationally by the Canadian Government as a designated start-up business incubator (Canada Startup Visa Program), The Government of Portugal as a key delivery incubator (HQA Visa Program) and The United States Government as a facilitator of startup, R&D, and incubation (for the EB2 NIW Startup Investor Visa Program). Empowered’s team is known internationally for growing ideas into sustainable businesses using both a virtual and on-site model. Our training tools and mentorship are used and recognized by leading global university labs, startup incubators, and innovation hubs.

AlphaS collaborates with the University of Canada West and University of Georgia to identify areas where students need math learning support

AlphaS collaborates with the University of Canada West and University of Georgia to identify areas where students need math learning support

 

Vancouver, B.C, May 15th,  2022AlphaS Data Science Inc., a startup in incubation at Empowered Startups, launched two research projects within Canada and the United States to understand the math abilities and needs of high-school students. The support of the University of Canada West (UCW) and the University of Georgia will equip the founder, Dr. Ivan Lau, with the insights needed to kickstart the product development for AlphaSMath.

The pressure on high-school students to get into university is rising
Having a four-year degree has become almost compulsory, a transformation that is caused by the infusion of tech in new areas of the labour market (Morgan). Manjari Raman, director of Harvard Business School’s project on Managing the Future of Work, describes a degree gap where workers without college degrees retire, and companies aim to replace them with candidates that have a degree. An excellent example to illustrate this shift can be found with production supervisors in 2015, where 67% of job postings ask for a university degree, while only 16% of workers within that position had one (Morgan). This evolution showcases how students will be increasingly under pressure to pursue a college or university degree.

Why good grades and standardized test scores matter
One of the factors that will be assessed when applying for university in Canada is the GPA. The GPA is usually one of the metrics used to identify possible candidates. For example, the average GPA of students admitted to the Bachelor of Commerce program at the University of British Columbia is 92%. It is fair to assume that achieving such a GPA is related to hard work and strategy (Allen Cheng). Universities in the United States do assess GPA, however, SAT plays a more significant role related to their admissions requirements. Therefore, getting a high SAT score can be important for students to get into their dream college. It is recommended for students to study between 10-20 hours per week for 2-3 months to get a good score (Kaptest).

Initial research that guides product development
The University of Canada West (UCW) collected over 4,000 data points related to high schools in Canada during their research. Data has been collected in British Columbia, Calgary, Ontario, and Quebec since the eventual solution from the venture will be most needed in these provinces. The dataset will be a vital asset to analyze potential customer profiles. The University of Georgia has conducted further research to understand where American students need support to feel prepared for the SAT or ACT. Most students indicated that they feel the least comfortable with geometry and lengthy word questions. Further analysis also illustrates that students need help with time management, different problem-solving approaches,  and how to get the correct answers quickly without a calculator.

“Our research revealed a broad range of math capabilities based on schools. I am glad that my students could be part of the solution by supporting Alpha Data Science with the market research needed. I believe that students should have the opportunity to improve their math skills in an unbiased environment. Alpha Data Science’s learning platform can be a vital resource to close this gap.”


Mazyar Zahedi-Seresht, Ph.D., M.Sc., MBA, CIFC – Faculty University of Canada West

Why these collaborations are important
The extensive data set collected by the universities lays the groundwork for the content of the training section of AlphaSMath. The findings will be enhanced with assessment and artificial intelligence to create an adaptive learning experience.

About AlphaS Data Science
The AlphaSMath platform will firstly provide a personal intake assessment, which will be used to define their initial setup for students based on their abilities. The assessment reports will help identify individual strengths, weaknesses, and learning patterns. The ultimate goal is to develop an affordable learning tool that is flexible, customized, and effective, allowing students to gain confidence in their abilities. Like a math tutor online, just quicker, cheaper, and always available.

About Empowered Startups
Empowered Startups is an Innovative Startup Incubator and foundry headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. With offices in Canada, France, and Portugal, we train/mentor/ and network entrepreneurs to successfully launch new businesses in diverse markets. As a foundry we also conceive, build and launch our own products and solutions. Empowered Startups is recognized by the Canadian Government as a designated start-up business incubator and is known internationally for growing ideas into sustainable businesses using both a virtual and on-site model. Our training tools and mentorship are used and recognized by leading global university labs, Startup incubators, and innovation hubs. To apply for the Canada Startup Visa Program, visit: www.empoweredstartups.com

Dr. Ivan Lau – Founder and CEO – [email protected]
Address: Unit 420 – 744 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 1A5
Website

Photo by Max Fischer

Frequently Asked Questions: USA EB2 Startup Investor Program

Frequently Asked Questions: USA EB2 Startup Investor Program

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EB2 NATIONAL INTREST WAIVER STARTUP INVESTOR PROGRAM

At Empowered Startups we get a lot of questions about the EB2 National Interest Waiver Program for the United States. Below you’ll see the answers to our most frequently asked questions.

 

WHAT IS THE NATIONAL INTEREST WAIVER?

The NIW allows applicants to apply to the EB-2 Immigration Program in the United States without having a valid job offer. In other words, the NIW waives the job offer requirement if you can establish that your activities/knowledge could be beneficial to the national interest of the United States. A great example of this is investing in an innovative startup and supporting R&D that is in the national interest of the USA.

 

WHAT ARE THE Program Qualifications?

  • Advanced degree: Bachelor’s degree + 5 years’ work experience in the same field
  • The applicant’s work experience must include management experience
  • The project must be beneficial to the U.S.
  • The applicant must demonstrate that they are a domain expert and/or an innovative entrepreneur or business person capable of growth
  • You must provide proof of lawful source of funds used for the investment.

 

How does the program work?

It’s pretty simple. Empowered Startups supports the applicant by identifying a project of national interest that is also within the applicants domain of expertise and interest, and then facilitates demonstrating that 1) the project they would like to do in the United States has substantial merit and national importance; 2) that the applicant is well-positioned to conduct the project; and 3) the applicant has the necessary business incubation support to potentially create positive impact in a specific area that is in the national interest of the USA.

 

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF THIS PROGRAM?

  • Applicants obtain a Green Card (permanent residence status) in USA for themselves and family members
  • Dependents included:
    • Spouses are welcome
    • Children under 21 are welcome
  • The right to live, work, and study in the USA
  • There is no language requirement
  • Extremely fast processing time
  • Direct pathway to United States citizenship after 5 years

 

WHAT KIND OF INVESTMENT IS NEEDED?

  • Startup investment of at least $300,000 USD
  • A significant part of the investment (at least 75,000 USD) must be reserved for R&D for your project
  • Research and Development must be supported by governmentally backed U.S. research facilities
  • Main applicant must own 100% of the legal entity conducting the business and innovation project in the U.S.

 

WHAT IS THE PROCESS?

  1. Submit the completed application forms and required documents to Empowered Startups
  2. Schedule an intake interview with Empowered Startups and be accepted into the program
  3. Work alongside Empowered Startups to obtain the National Interest Waiver
  4. File for the immigrant visa/adjustment of status allowing the applicant and family members to get their green cards
  5. The application processing time varies
  6. Typical processing time is within 12-16 months for countries not experiencing backlog

 

HOW DO I APPLY?

Apply on our website here: https://empoweredstartups.com/eb2-visa-information-request/

 

 

 

About Empowered Startups

Empowered Startups is an Innovative Startup Incubator and foundry headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. With offices in Canada, France, and Portugal, we train/mentor/ and network entrepreneurs to successfully launch new businesses in diverse markets. As a foundry we also conceive, build and launch our own products and solutions.

Empowered Startups is recognized by the Canadian Government as a designated start-up business incubator and is known internationally for growing ideas into sustainable businesses using both a virtual and on-site model. Empowered Startups mentors, accelerates, and incubates innovative domestic and global business ideas. Our training tools and mentorship are used and recognized by leading global university labs, Startup incubators, and innovation hubs.

Notable EdTech products under the Empowered Startups Umbrella: Young Empowered Startuppers (YES) – A fully integrated e-learning platform for high schools that guides teachers and students on an innovative entrepreneurial journey starting with an idea and ending with a viable and pitch ready venture, and Empowered Nations – providing specialized entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and tools through an Indigenous lens.