Reinventing Comfort Through Tech

The future of smart seating isn’t just about technology; it’s about people. That’s the belief behind Kalogon, the company Tim Balz founded to rethink how the world approaches comfort, mobility, and care.

Pressure injuries cause more deaths than any cancer except lung cancer. Tim shares, “Wheelchair seating is an area that hasn't seen innovation in 50 years. We knew we could save lives if we got it right.”

And they did! Kalogon’s smart seating technology has now found its way into homes, VAs, and even the skies. After a chance encounter with a retired Air Force General at Groundswell, the team secured a Phase II SBIR contract and began working with the Department of Defense.

Impressive as the technology is, it’s the people-first mindset that makes Kalogon special. From day one, the team built a business model that ties success directly to impact: the better the company performs, the more lives it improves. “We want to prove that you can do good and still be profitable,” Tim said. Within the company, that philosophy is evident. Walk into Kalogon’s space, and you’ll find a team that takes their mission seriously and also their fun. 

Kalogon Team, 2025

Now with over 30 team members and a brand-new manufacturing facility, Kalogon is officially graduating from Groundswell, a milestone that feels equal parts proud and bittersweet. “It’s chaos, but it’s the fun kind of chaos,” Tim laughed. “It’s a graduation, not an ending. We’re alumni now.”

That sense of growth runs deeper than just the company’s next step. For Tim, the real challenge and reward are about keeping pace personally with the speed of Kalogon’s success. “I’ve got to make sure I keep learning and growing personally faster than the business is growing,” he said. It’s a philosophy that’s become part of Kalogon’s DNA: progress through iteration. Failure isn’t feared; it’s analyzed, shared, and built upon. “Failing is totally fine,” Tim said. “Just don’t fail in silence.” Whether it’s a quick experiment or a costly misstep, every shot on goal moves the team forward. “We’ve lost tens of thousands of dollars on some of those shots,” he admitted, “and we don’t lose sleep over it, as long as we learn.”

Kalogon carries the Groundswell spirit with them as they grow: staying curious, playful, and focused on creating a better world through innovation.

From one small idea to a life-changing impact on a global scale, Kalogon is proof that when community, creativity, and action collide, the future truly takes shape.

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