Company Name: Kalogon
Location: Melbourne, Florida
Year Founded: 2019
Website: kalogon.com
Kalogon, a smart seating company based in Melbourne, Florida, has been recognized as a 2024 CO—100 Disruptor. This business is reimagining seated health with technology-driven products that provide comfort, improve blood flow, and enhance the quality of life for individuals who spend prolonged periods sitting.
With a commitment to empathy-led research and innovation, the company’s approach transcends traditional seating solutions by addressing critical health needs.
Transforming seated health with innovation at the core
Founded in 2019 by Tim Balz, an award-winning engineer and former SpaceX employee, Kalogon is a leader in developing smart seating solutions designed to improve blood flow and alleviate fatigue. The company was co-founded with Aaron Jones, Evan Rosenberg, Christian Balcom, and Connor Crenshaw who are joined by Carla Borsoi, Vice President of Marketing and Research, who brings experience leading marketing and operations at multiple medical device startups.
The company’s proprietary Advanced Pressure Management System (APMS) technology improves blood flow and supports people who stay seated for extended periods of time and are at risk of pressure injuries — conditions that claim nearly 60,000 lives annually in the United States.
“We work directly with wheelchair users, clinicians, and senior living facilities on our medical products to develop solutions that truly address seated comfort and health,” Balz said. “We … listen to [our customers’] needs and build quick prototypes to gather feedback, quickly iterating using tools like 3D printers and hand-cut foam. Then we take it back to the end users to try and see if we can improve.”
This iterative design approach allows the company to address complex health challenges with speed and precision.
“Our rapid prototyping, empathy-led design, and rigorous clinical evaluation, combined with in-house manufacturing at our Melbourne HQ, allow us to test, learn, and scale,” Balz explained. “I would urge innovators to create a feedback loop with as many experts and end users as possible. As you continue to iterate, you ensure any changes you make are still in line with what the customer needs and wants.”
What started as a personal mission has become a company where every employee is invested in our purpose.
Tim Balz, Founder of Kalogon
Bridging gaps between clinical and real-world solutions
Kalogon launched its flagship product, the Orbiter wheelchair cushion, in 2022. Powered by APMS technology, the Orbiter redistributes weight and offers pressure relief, helping users maintain skin integrity.
In 2024, the company launched the Orbiter Med, which combines the technology of the original Orbiter with the postural support of a custom cushion. This iteration, approved by Medicare, eliminates the need for clinicians to choose between positioning and skin health for their patients.
In addition to its health care focus, Kalogon’s technology has been used in industries such as aviation and automotive, where long-term sitting is common. The company recently completed a $1.25M Air Force SBIR contract, with follow-on awards, and has closed deals for paid prototypes with Hyundai and Collins Aerospace.
“Our collaborations … have already started yielding dividends, with several confidential projects underway and more in the pipeline,” Balz said.
These expansions have been made possible in part by the company’s strategic business leadership. Recognizing the importance of experience in driving growth, the company made key C-suite hires, including Amanda Krantz, a former Air Force Officer, as VP of Business Development.
“Amanda’s extensive background, along with her 25+ years negotiating complex business development deals with Fortune 500 technology companies and health care organizations, helps us succeed in creative deal structures to fund dual-use development efforts,” Balz said.
Balz added that Kalogon’s technology can “help anyone who sits,” and eventually, he envisions moving beyond seating and applying the technology to other types of surfaces.
“When your comfort improves, so does concentration and stamina,” Balz told CO—. “We’ve seen this with fighter pilots, athletes and in everyday activities like gardening or driving. Pressure injuries have been underlooked for decades, so the market is huge.”
Driving growth and better health through community involvement
Kalogon’s disruptive impact extends beyond product innovation into community engagement. The company’s free Pressure Mapping Events, conducted in partnership with local rehab gyms, allow participants to try out Kalogon’s seating solutions in comparison to their current ones.
According to Balz, these events not only provide valuable data on product effectiveness but also offer a crucial service to attendees.
“Many individuals have never been pressure mapped before,” Balz added. “These events provide them with insights into the suitability of their current cushions and images they can share with their clinicians.”
Another initiative that highlights the company’s commitment to community impact is the Kalogon Flyers program, which provides athletes with financial support and access to seating products.
“We not only help athletes achieve their goals but also promote inclusivity and accessibility in sports,” Balz explained. “The athletes we support become ambassadors for Kalogon, spreading awareness about the importance of proper seating solutions and inspiring others to pursue their dreams to live an active lifestyle.”
These programs also foster a sense of pride among employees, reinforcing the company’s commitment to community and employee well-being.
“What started as a personal mission has become a company where every employee is invested in our purpose,” said Balz. “The team continues to build additional versions of our products to make the technology as accessible as possible. All product development is underscored by the mantra that engineering can only be great when combined with customer feedback and collaboration.”
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