John Konsin is the CEO and co-founder of Prapela, a Biddeford-based startup with Massachusetts roots that has pioneered a technology-enabled bassinet pad designed to help newborn babies breathe, relax and sleep. The company, which employs three people with plans for two more hires by summer, was recently awarded a $2.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. Mainebiz caught up with him to find out more.
Mainebiz: What brought you to Maine, and what are the main pluses of being based here?
John Konsin: We moved to Maine to be closer to [South Portland-based] Saunders Electronics, our manufacturing partner, and to enjoy the way life should be. Everything is a bit easier here. Any specialized support we need from the terrific Boston life science community is less than two hours away. Meanwhile, thanks to the Roux Institute, things are looking up in Maine for startups like Prapela that need cutting-edge talent. Read more