For physics associate professor Jesse Berezovsky, developing an algorithm that composes music within minutes was the easy part. Turning that into a feasible product and bringing it to market? That's where he was stumped.
"A lot of people are making videos and need to add music to it, and don't have the resources to do that right now," he said.
"They are frustrated with the solutions they have in terms of finding royalty free stock music online that doesn't quite fit with what they want and is hard to find. And they really are eager for something that allows them to get music that fits the video they have, quickly and cheaply, and without copyright issues, or without stealing other people's work through AI."
That’s where Berezovsky’s ViviScore Composer tool comes in. Using physics-based algorithms, the user can import a video and notate “key moments” that signify mood or visual changes. Those changes may warrant shifts in the music, whether that means adding or subtracting an instrument, changing keys, or adjusting expression or dynamics. After inputting musical mode, time signature and other settings, the software then outputs a custom soundtrack for your video.
Watch a video about Berezovsky’s software
Through the Veale Faculty Fellows program, Berezovsky has been studying viable ways to bring his research to market. “The Veale Faculty Fellows program has been tremendously useful to me,” he said. “We really try to identify what the problem is we’re trying to solve, who has that problem and is looking for a solution to that problem, and what we need to do to deliver that solution to them.”
“It really makes it clear how you go from having an idea and turning it into something that actually gets widely used, and can grow into something even bigger.”
This January, Berezovsky’s entrepreneurial journey took a leap forward when he was able to attend CES 2024 in Las Vegas as an exhibitor at the Case Western Reserve University booth. The conference, which is the world's largest technology fair, gave him the opportunity to conduct market research, network with potential customers and showcase a demo of his ViviScore Composer software.
“What I really hoped to accomplish at CES was to talk to people who might want to use my technology and find out what their needs are, and how I might further develop it to meet those needs,” he said. “I met people who are interested in potentially using my technology, I met other people who might be able to help me develop a company.”
“The potential uses and the potential markets are broader than what I was initially envisioning. [CES] left me pretty energized to move forward with it, and see where it goes from here.”
The beauty of culturally inspired skincare
Right now, Berezovsky is working on optimizing his technology for the commercial market. But alongside him were over a dozen other CWRU exhibitors—and not all of them technology-oriented.
Ezimma Onwuka is a 2023 Master's graduate of the medical physiology program in the CWRU School of Medicine. She has been working with CWRU LaunchNET and the Veale Institute of Entrepreneurship for her business, Panaciia Beauty, for a number of years. As a developing skincare brand, Panaciia is dedicated to providing skincare solutions which merge culturally underrepresented botanical ingredients from Asia, India, Africa, and Hispanic regions with clinically effective western ingredients.
Through the Veale Institute for Entrepreneurship, Onwuka was able to attend CES 2024 as an exhibitor. This year, the conference had a relevant keynote speaker, L'Oréal, which was the first time a beauty company had been invited to give the keynote speech at a CES event— perhaps signifying a growth in beauty as a technology industry.
“Going into CES, I initially was nervous,” Onwuka shared. “It is a massive event where a large majority are tech companies, so I felt out of place. However, being at CES every day felt surreal and like a blessing. It was an experience that really helped me to share my brand with many people and step out of my comfort zone.
Panaciia’s Limited Edition (PLE) product line, which includes brightening face cream and lip honey, helps Onwuka get closer to her mission of producing a full skincare product line. She brought samples and a display that helped define her mission to CES attendees.
“I see my business in a way that can really grow now. I made many connections during the event and have spent time working with these individuals who are helping me to get to a point where I want my business to be,” said Onwuka.
Before CES, she was somewhat apprehensive about being the face of her brand, but now sees that role as more of a necessity than before.
When asked what her biggest takeaway from the experience was, Onwuka noted this complete shift in perspective around putting herself out there, and that doing so will be the best way to start seeing results and making progress.
“I was out of my comfort zone in many ways at CES,” she added, “but I feel it’s now something I want to challenge myself more in. It will always help build and strengthen you and your business.”
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