Deleon: Bridging Space Technology and Preventive Health

Deleon cofounders from left to right, Chad Pozarycki and José Andrade.

Chad Pozarycki and José Andrade drew inspiration from NASA technology to create Deleon, a new health innovation startup. The two Georgia Tech graduates’ startup has developed a biochemical monitoring system that uses daily urine samples to track metabolites related to overtraining, stress, and recovery — with future applications aimed at early disease detection.

Pozarycki and Andrade identified an opportunity to repurpose NASA’s data transmission technology, originally designed to send complex chemical information across long distances, for personal health use. Their goal: to make metabolic monitoring more accessible and preventive.

“Something that always frustrated me about metabolomics was its lack of focus on preventive care,” said Pozarycki. “We created Deleon by combining these ideas and tracking the human metabolome to optimize for healthy lifestyles.”

Deleon’s founders began the company shortly after completing their graduate studies at Georgia Tech, working part-time jobs to keep the project afloat. In the beginning, funding was a major challenge. “I finished my Ph.D. and didn’t have any income. CREATE-X gave us $5,000 in seed funding, which made it possible to keep going,” said Pozarycki.

CREATE-X, Georgia Tech’s campuswide initiative to instill entrepreneurial confidence and help students launch startups, provided more than funding. Through its Startup Launch program, Deleon received mentorship about potential customers and how to find them. The team also connected with industry partners, including Pravida Health, to test and demonstrate their technology’s commercial potential.

The program’s culminating event, Demo Day, gave Deleon a platform to present its prototype to investors and the public. Among dozens of student-led startups, Deleon’s data-driven health approach attracted strong interest. The exposure led to a $200,000 investment that allowed the company to continue product development and expand its team.

“CREATE-X is a hands-on environment where students build real products and learn what it takes to bring them to market,” Pozarycki said. “That experience changed the way we approached the company — we learned how to talk to customers, refine our pitch, and scale responsibly.”

Deleon’s path from concept to launch highlights the growing role of Georgia Tech’s entrepreneurial ecosystem in supporting student innovation. Programs like CREATE-X not only help students build companies but also contribute to regional economic growth by keeping talent and investment in the Southeast.

“I would recommend the CREATE-X program to anyone,” Pozarycki said. “Even if you don’t think you want to start a company, I think there’s a lot you can learn about yourself and about the world in this program that may change your mind and give you the chance to control your own fate.”

Opportunities for Entrepreneurs

Students, faculty, researchers, and alumni interested in developing their own startups are encouraged to apply to CREATE-X’s Startup Launch. The early admission deadline to apply for Startup Launch is Nov. 17. Spots are limited. Apply now for a higher chance of acceptance and early feedback.