Ashburn-based Aperiomics Wins Grand Prize at 2018 Vinetta Project

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Robert Deigh

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Aperiomics Wins Grand Prize at 2018 Vinetta Project

Ashburn, VA – October 10, 2018 – Aperiomics, the only company identifying every known bacteria, DNA virus, fungi and parasite in a single test, has taken home the $20,000 grand prize in the Vinetta Project pitch challenge in Washington, D.C.

In the competition, four female company founders made it to the final round, including Aperiomics CEO Crystal Icenhour, who was selected as the winner. The audience included entrepreneurs, venture influencers, young professionals and service providers, all of whom see massive growth potential for investing in female founders. The Vinetta Project is a NYC-born collective that aims to close the gender-based VC funding gap by connecting female founders and investors. The D.C. branch launched in April 2015.

Icenhour said, “This has been an amazing process. Our whole team is excited by the recognition and resources that this award brings to help us expand our services. It has been a strong year for Aperiomics and we look forward to the work ahead.”

Just last month Aperiomics announced that the National Science Foundation awarded an additional $229,000 from its Small Business Innovative Research grant to the company. Over the past two years, Aperiomics has received more than $1.6 million from the NSF. In 2017, the company closed a seed round of funding, raising $512,000 that was led by Pipeline Angels, a national network of new and seasoned women angel investors. The company was named “Life Sciences Innovator of the Year” in 2016.

About Aperiomics

Aperiomics is the only company identifying every bacteria, DNA virus, fungi and parasite in one test. Clinicians and patients call on Aperiomics to identify infectious diseases that other tests cannot. The only company of its kind and scope in the world, Aperiomics identifies every known pathogen (bacteria, virus, fungi or parasite) in a single test via deep metagenomic shotgun sequencing of DNA from any sample, be it patient, environmental, or otherwise. The complete genetic fingerprint of that sample is then compared to the Aperiomics Microbial Database™- the most comprehensive database of microorganisms, including the world’s largest collection of pathogens. This breakthrough, only possible through Aperiomics, can be used to accurately identify unknown/chronic infections, limit the use of antibiotics and solve difficult medical cases. Patients and their families often contact Aperiomics directly after hearing about our successes in helping others. Aperiomics is supported by the National Science Foundation. It was named Life Sciences Innovator of the Year in 2016. For more information, visit www.aperiomics.com or call (703) 229-0406.