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Brief
Known For
Founding the failed startup uBeam, a company that claimed to develop a wireless charging system based on ultrasound.
Key Dates and Places
  • Born Date: August 5, 1989.
Career
  • Past occupations: Founder and CEO of uBeam.
  • Previous Place of Work: uBeam (now defunct).
Main Milestones
Birth of Meredith Perry
August 5, 1989
Meredith Perry was born in the United States. Details of her early life and upbringing are relatively scarce, but her later endeavors demonstrate a clear interest in science and technology from a young age.
Early Interest in Renewable Energy and Wireless Power
Early College Years (c. 2007-2010)
While in college, Perry began exploring alternative energy solutions and concepts related to wireless power transmission. These early explorations laid the groundwork for her later venture, uBeam.
uBeam Concept Originates
2011
The initial idea for uBeam, a wireless charging system using ultrasound, began to take shape. This period was marked by initial experiments and the conceptualization of the core technology, although the feasibility and safety of the approach were yet to be thoroughly vetted.
uBeam Founded and Initial Funding Secured
2011 - 2012
Meredith Perry officially founded uBeam. She successfully pitched her vision of ubiquitous wireless charging to venture capitalists, securing initial seed funding to develop the technology. Her charismatic presentation and ambitious goals resonated with investors eager to back innovative startups.
Rapid Growth and Increased Investment
2012 - 2016
uBeam experienced a period of rapid growth, attracting substantial venture capital investment totaling over $25 million from prominent investors. The company expanded its team and facilities, focusing on the development and refinement of its ultrasonic wireless charging technology. However, behind the scenes, significant technical challenges and questions regarding efficiency and safety persisted.
Controversy Emerges: Negative Press and Scrutiny
March 2016
The first major controversies surrounding uBeam began to surface. Articles appeared questioning the feasibility and safety of the ultrasonic charging technology, citing concerns about efficiency, potential health risks, and the ability to scale the technology for widespread adoption. These reports marked a turning point in uBeam's trajectory.
Continued Scrutiny and Executive Departures
2016 - 2018
Following the initial wave of critical reports, uBeam faced continued scrutiny from both the media and the scientific community. Several key executives and engineers left the company, reportedly due to concerns about the technology's viability and the direction of the company. Funding became harder to secure.
uBeam Shuts Down
2018
After struggling to overcome the technical challenges and facing mounting criticism, uBeam officially shut down its operations. The company failed to deliver a functional product that met its initial promises, and the technology never achieved commercial viability. The failure of uBeam served as a cautionary tale about the risks of over-hyping unproven technology.
Life After uBeam
Post-uBeam (2018-Present)
Following the closure of uBeam, Meredith Perry has maintained a low profile. Her activities and professional endeavors since the company's demise have not been widely publicized. The uBeam experience has become a prominent case study in the tech industry, highlighting the importance of rigorous scientific validation and realistic expectations when developing disruptive technologies.
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Timelines
6

Early Life and Education

Birth
August 5, 1989
Meredith Perry was born on August 5, 1989. Specific details about her early childhood are limited.
High School Years
Early 2000s
Perry attended high school, where she reportedly showed an interest in science and technology. Specifics about her academic performance and extracurricular activities during this period are sparse in publicly available information, however this is the period when she is claimed to have concieved the idea for a wireles charging system.
University of Pennsylvania
2007-2012
Perry attended the University of Pennsylvania, majoring in astrophysics. This academic background provided her with a foundation in physics and mathematics, relevant (or thought to be relevant) to the later development of uBeam's alleged technology.
Wharton Innovation Fund Accelerator Program
2011
Perry's uBeam concept was accepted into the Wharton Innovation Fund Accelerator Program. This marked an early stage of development and preliminary validation of the wireless charging idea. Here, she received mentorship and resources to explore the viability of her startup.

Post-uBeam Career (Incomplete - Limited Information)

Limited Public Information
2019 - Present
There is very limited publicly available information regarding Meredith Perry's career and activities following the shutdown of Sonera in 2019. It is difficult to ascertain her current professional endeavors with certainty. It is unknown if she pursued other entrepreneurial ventures, joined established companies, or focused on other areas.

Controversies and Criticism

Skepticism from Experts
2015-2016
Experts in the field of wireless power transfer expressed skepticism about uBeam's technology, questioning the efficiency and safety of using ultrasound to transmit power over the air. Some argued that the physics involved made it inherently difficult to achieve practical results.
Accusations of Misleading Demonstrations
2016
Reports emerged alleging that uBeam had presented misleading demonstrations of its technology to investors and the public. These accusations raised concerns about the company's transparency and the accuracy of its claims.
Allegations of Toxic Work Environment
2016
In addition to the technical criticisms, uBeam faced allegations of a toxic work environment, with some former employees describing a culture of pressure and unrealistic expectations.
Reputation Damage
Post-2016
The controversies surrounding uBeam significantly damaged Meredith Perry's reputation as an entrepreneur and inventor. The failure of the company served as a cautionary tale in the tech industry, highlighting the importance of transparency and realistic expectations.

uBeam: Founding and Development

uBeam Founded
2011
Meredith Perry founded uBeam, a startup focused on developing wireless charging technology using ultrasound. The initial premise was to transmit power over the air to devices, eliminating the need for charging cables.
Early Funding Rounds
2011-2015
uBeam secured significant venture capital funding from prominent investors, including Mark Cuban and Andreessen Horowitz. This funding fueled the company's research and development efforts, as well as the expansion of its team.
Growing Scrutiny and Technical Challenges
2015-2016
uBeam began facing increased scrutiny from the scientific community and media outlets regarding the feasibility and efficiency of its technology. Reports surfaced questioning the claims made by the company, highlighting technical challenges related to ultrasound power transmission.
The Verge Investigation
2016
A detailed investigative report by The Verge raised serious doubts about uBeam's technology and its ability to deliver on its promises. The report cited unnamed sources within the company who expressed concerns about the accuracy of demonstrations and the overall viability of the project.
Layoffs and Restructuring
2016-2017
Following the negative press coverage and ongoing technical difficulties, uBeam underwent significant layoffs and restructuring efforts in an attempt to salvage the company. Perry stepped down from her role as CEO, but remained on the board.
Name Change to Sonera and Pivot
2018
uBeam rebranded itself as Sonera and attempted to pivot its business model to focus on different applications of ultrasound technology, moving away from consumer-focused wireless charging.
Sonera Shuts Down
2019
Sonera ceased operations, marking the end of Meredith Perry's venture into wireless charging. The company ultimately failed to deliver a viable product and was unable to overcome the technical hurdles associated with its technology.

Media Appearances and Public Image

Positive Media Coverage
2011-2015
During uBeam's early years, Meredith Perry received positive media coverage, being portrayed as a young and innovative entrepreneur with a promising technology. She appeared in interviews and profiles highlighting her vision for the future of wireless charging.
TEDx Talk
2012
Perry gave a TEDx talk about the concept of uBeam, further enhancing her public profile and promoting the idea of wireless power transmission.
Forbes 30 Under 30
2015
Perry was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, recognizing her as a promising young leader in the technology industry. This accolade further solidified her position as a rising star.
Shift in Media Tone
Post-2016
Following the controversies surrounding uBeam, the media tone shifted dramatically. Perry and the company became the subject of critical articles and investigative reports, questioning the validity of their claims and the ethics of their business practices.
Limited Public Presence
Post-2019
After the closure of Sonera, Meredith Perry has maintained a relatively low public profile, with limited appearances in the media or at industry events.

Main milestones

Birth of Meredith Perry
August 5, 1989
Meredith Perry was born in the United States. Details of her early life and upbringing are relatively scarce, but her later endeavors demonstrate a clear interest in science and technology from a young age.
Early Interest in Renewable Energy and Wireless Power
Early College Years (c. 2007-2010)
While in college, Perry began exploring alternative energy solutions and concepts related to wireless power transmission. These early explorations laid the groundwork for her later venture, uBeam.
uBeam Concept Originates
2011
The initial idea for uBeam, a wireless charging system using ultrasound, began to take shape. This period was marked by initial experiments and the conceptualization of the core technology, although the feasibility and safety of the approach were yet to be thoroughly vetted.
uBeam Founded and Initial Funding Secured
2011 - 2012
Meredith Perry officially founded uBeam. She successfully pitched her vision of ubiquitous wireless charging to venture capitalists, securing initial seed funding to develop the technology. Her charismatic presentation and ambitious goals resonated with investors eager to back innovative startups.
Rapid Growth and Increased Investment
2012 - 2016
uBeam experienced a period of rapid growth, attracting substantial venture capital investment totaling over $25 million from prominent investors. The company expanded its team and facilities, focusing on the development and refinement of its ultrasonic wireless charging technology. However, behind the scenes, significant technical challenges and questions regarding efficiency and safety persisted.
Controversy Emerges: Negative Press and Scrutiny
March 2016
The first major controversies surrounding uBeam began to surface. Articles appeared questioning the feasibility and safety of the ultrasonic charging technology, citing concerns about efficiency, potential health risks, and the ability to scale the technology for widespread adoption. These reports marked a turning point in uBeam's trajectory.
Continued Scrutiny and Executive Departures
2016 - 2018
Following the initial wave of critical reports, uBeam faced continued scrutiny from both the media and the scientific community. Several key executives and engineers left the company, reportedly due to concerns about the technology's viability and the direction of the company. Funding became harder to secure.
uBeam Shuts Down
2018
After struggling to overcome the technical challenges and facing mounting criticism, uBeam officially shut down its operations. The company failed to deliver a functional product that met its initial promises, and the technology never achieved commercial viability. The failure of uBeam served as a cautionary tale about the risks of over-hyping unproven technology.
Life After uBeam
Post-uBeam (2018-Present)
Following the closure of uBeam, Meredith Perry has maintained a low profile. Her activities and professional endeavors since the company's demise have not been widely publicized. The uBeam experience has become a prominent case study in the tech industry, highlighting the importance of rigorous scientific validation and realistic expectations when developing disruptive technologies.
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Days in Chronicle
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6 February, 2024
Elemind, co-founded by Meredith Perry, emerged from stealth mode on February 6, 2024. Perry announced the company's development of a wearable device intended to address essential tremors, induce sleep, enhance memory formation, and increase pain threshold. However, no image of the device was released at the time.
5 August, 1989
Meredith Perry was born on August 5, 1989. This marks the beginning of her life and career as an entrepreneur and inventor, leading to the founding of uBeam and Elemind, and her involvement with various institutions.
Add day
Meredith Perry

Meredith Perry (born August 5, 1989) is an American inventor, entrepreneur, and scientist, best known for the founding of failed startup uBeam, an alleged wireless charging system based on ultrasound.[1] Perry is currently[when?] the co-founder and CEO of Elemind, a company developing noninvasive neurotechnology.

Key Information

Biography

[edit]

Career

[edit]

Perry studied paleobiology and astrobiology at the University of Pennsylvania and conducted astrobiology research with the NASA Ames Research Center and the NASA Astrobiology Institute. She is a NASA Astrobiology Institute Research Scholarship Recipient and NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant Recipient. She co-authored two astrobiology research papers with Christopher McKay of NASA Ames Research Center.[2]

Perry won the University of Pennsylvania's Invention Competition,[3] "PennVention" in 2011 for her ultrasonic wireless power transmission system, which she named "uBeam". Perry founded uBeam in 2011 and raised $40M from Founders Fund, Andreessen Horowitz, Mark Cuban, Marissa Mayer and other prominent investors.[citation needed] Perry attracted controversy and criticism when she claimed, as part of a TED X talk,[4] that Engineers are inherently linear thinkers and that she was able to solve problems that many experts said impossible by simply googling and asking basic questions. She ignored criticism from experts who called out that her proposed technology was impractical and cannot be used on a commercial scale. She stepped down as CEO in 2018 after multiple missed deadlines and failed attempts to create a viable commercial product. [5]

Perry announced through a tweet in 2019[6] that she is developing a new neurotechnology with Ed Boyden, and subsequently announced in 2020 a new company co-founded for this purpose, Elemind Technologies.[7][8] On February 6, 2024, Elemind emerged from stealth mode, with Perry saying that the company's wearable device can "stop tremor for people with essential tremors” as well as "induce sleep, faster than leading sleep drugs. [And] we can induce memory formation and increase pain threshold" but that the company was not ready to release an image of the device.[9]

Awards and recognition

[edit]

Perry was recognized as one of Fast Company's "Most Creative People",[10] and has been included in Fortune's “40 Under 40” Mobilizers,[11] Forbes' “30 Under 30”,[12] and Vanity Fair's “The New Establishment”.[13] Perry is the recipient of Elle magazine's Genius Award.[14]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "She's an inventor. She's 25. And she wants to make true wireless charging a reality". Fortune.
  2. ^ Tanaka, Zuki; Perry, Meredith; Cooper, George; Tang, Suning; McKay, Christopher P.; Chen, Bin (August 1, 2012). "Near-Infrared (NIR) Raman Spectroscopy of Precambrian Carbonate Stromatolites with Post-Depositional Organic Inclusions". Applied Spectroscopy. 66 (8): 911–916. Bibcode:2012ApSpe..66..911T. doi:10.1366/11-06523. PMID 22800768. S2CID 478919.
  3. ^ "Team with wireless charger". www.bizjournals.com. 2011. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
  4. ^ How to be a technology innovator: Meredith Perry at TEDxNashville on YouTube
  5. ^ Constine, Josh (September 21, 2018). "UBeam's wireless power's CEO Meredith Perry steps aside amidst B2B pivot". Tech Crunch. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  6. ^ "Tweet". twitter.com. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
  7. ^ "Elemind Technologies, Inc". linkedin.com. February 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-19.
  8. ^ "TEAM".
  9. ^ "This Cambridge startup, bootstrapped by billionaires, is developing 'neuro-tech' wearables". The Boston Globe. 2024-02-06. Retrieved 2025-01-12.
  10. ^ "Meet Meredith Perry, one of Fast Company's 100 Most Creative People 2014". Fast Company.
  11. ^ "More under 40s: Mobilizers". Fortune.
  12. ^ Helman, Christopher. "Forbes 30 Under 30 In The Energy Sector". Forbes.
  13. ^ Bilton, Nick (8 September 2015). "The New Establishment 2015". Vanity Fair.
  14. ^ Plattner, Seth; Davis, Allison P.; Straut, Catherine; Moody, Elyse; Kapp, Diana; Harman, Justine (June 29, 2012). "Genius Awards 2012". ELLE.
Hub tags
#scientist#entrepreneur#alleged#ultrasound#inventor#founder#american#person#startup#woman#charging#ubeam#wireless#failed
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This is a community hub built on top of the Meredith Perry Wikipedia article. Here, you can discuss, collect, and organize anything related to Meredith Perry. The purpose of the hub is to connect people, foster deeper knowledge, and help improve the root Wikipedia article.
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