Beyond the Prize: Patient Safety Tech Challenge Winner Kalogon is Making Smart Seating More Accessible

On March 13, 2023, Kalogon won the Patient Safety Technology Innovation Award at South by Southwest (SXSW) Innovation Awards, sponsored by the Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative. This event increased the visibility of the issue of medical harm for the nearly 1,000 people in attendance at the awards ceremony.

In November 2023, Kalogon expanded into automotive applications, delivering a paid proof of concept to Hyundai in Seoul, South Korea, and the following month earned a $630,000 Air Force contract. The momentum continued in January 2024 with the launch of an assistive technology accessory co-developed with Etac, one of the largest providers in the sector. May 2024 marked several milestones, including shipping Medicare-coded cushions eligible for reimbursement, debuting a business-class seat cushion proof of concept at the Aircraft Interiors Expo, and closing a $1.2 million convertible note financing round.

In July 2024, Kalogon secured both a $1.6 million Phase III SBIR contract with the U.S. Air Force to develop cushioning solutions for the E-4B aircraft and a $585,000 expanded grant from NIDILRR, further strengthening its research and development capabilities.

Kalogon was started by Tim Balz, CEO and founder; Aaron Jones, director of Operations and co-founder; and Evan Rosenberg, innovation engineer and co-founder. We were able to catch up with the team about Kalogon’s progress, accomplishments, and future.

1. What specific patient safety issue or personal experience inspired your innovation, and how did you identify the gap in the current healthcare system that your solution addresses?

Kalogon was founded to address the widespread and often overlooked harm caused by pressure injuries, an issue affecting millions of wheelchair users and patients with limited mobility. Our CEO, Tim Balz, drew from both personal experience and deep industry insight to develop a smarter, proactive approach to pressure relief, identifying a major gap in real-time, adaptive seating technology.

2. What were/are the major challenges you face(d) during development, and how did you overcome them?

One of our greatest challenges was designing a system that adapts dynamically to users' micromovements while being rugged enough for daily use in medical and military environments. We overcame this by combining machine learning with iterative feedback from real users and clinical professionals, ultimately creating our Advanced Pressure Management System.

3. Have you conducted any pilot studies or trials? If so, what were the outcomes? What steps have you taken/are you working toward to ensure compatibility with current healthcare systems and practices?

Kalogon’s technology has been rigorously validated through clinical trials and peer-reviewed studies, confirming its ability to improve blood flow, enhance tissue oxygenation, and reduce pressure injury risk. Published in the Journal of Tissue Viability and Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, these findings support the effectiveness and comfort of our smart seating solutions.

We’ve achieved key milestones in clinical integration, including Medicare approval for our flagship product, Orbiter Med, and our latest innovation, Bondar. We’ve also established strategic partnerships with the VA, assistive device providers, and major health systems to streamline adoption and reimbursement.

Our impact is reflected in the lives we help transform. Ms. Z, living with spina bifida and a chronic stage 4 sacral ulcer, experienced complete healing within 11 months after switching to the Orbiter. John, once limited by pain due to a fractured spine, was able to resume gardening, reconnect with his grandchildren, and even walk after 18+ years in a wheelchair thanks to the comfort of Kalogon’s technology.

Beyond individuals, we partner with organizations like All Wheels Up to push accessibility forward, bringing innovative seating solutions to more people across health care and aviation. Kalogon is redefining standards for comfort, mobility, and quality of life.

4. How are you addressing potential barriers to access, especially in underserved communities? How are you addressing integration into current health systems?

Kalogon’s mission is to eliminate the stresses of sitting and improve health through inventive seating technology; our vision is to become the trusted leader in seated health across industries. Our solutions are designed for people who must sit for extended periods, whether in wheelchairs, cockpits, or cars. By combining clinical research, real-world feedback, and rapid iteration, we’ve built a platform that is both effective and highly scalable.

Focusing on our medical products, the biggest thing we have done to improve accessibility to our products is achieve Medicare coding. When we first received this award, it was for Orbiter, our initial product, which did not receive adequate coding. In 2024 we launched Orbiter Med, a Medicare coded product (E2609), expanding access to our technology and products. In 2024, we also enhanced the Orbiter Med product by offering it in extended sizes, so that it is available in sizes from 15x15 to 27x27, accommodating even more bodies. June 2025 brought Bondar, a customizable back support also coded as a custom product for Medicare (E2617). Bondar is designed to pair with Orbiter Med and create complete seating systems.

We also collaborate with community clinics and veterans’ organizations, and our team runs free pressure mapping events to ensure populations receive appropriate and effective seating support. As we expand, we continue to keep accessibility at the forefront both with our users and within our production facility.

5. How has the Patient Safety Technology Challenge impacted the trajectory of your innovation?

Winning the Patient Safety Technology Challenge was pivotal for Kalogon. It validated our innovation, accelerated our clinical validation efforts, and elevated our credibility within the healthcare and technology communities. In an industry where few complex rehab technology companies participate in cutting-edge tech conferences—let alone win — this recognition positioned Kalogon as a true leader in the space.

The award also created momentum. Shortly after, we launched Orbiter Med in 2024 — our first Medicare-coded product—alongside Booster, an accessory for existing wheelchair cushions, and Bondar, a custom-coded smart backrest. These launches marked significant steps forward in our mission to expand access to intelligent pressure relief solutions.

Sharing this achievement with clinicians and consumers has been especially rewarding, reinforcing our commitment to collaboration and real-world impact.

6. If you could give one piece of advice to an early innovator, what would it be?

Stay laser-focused on real-world impact. Ground your solution in feedback from the people you're trying to help; move fast, but with purpose.