In today's fast-paced scientific landscape, numerous researchers still depend on traditional Excel spreadsheets and physical lab notebooks to manage experimental data. While this approach might suffice for isolated experiments, modern companies typically base critical decisions on aggregated data from multiple experiments conducted across various laboratories, often with differing parameters and sometimes spanning international borders.
This fragmented approach frequently forces scientists to step away from their lab benches to dedicate valuable time to collecting and consolidating data from diverse experiments. Research teams often face challenges in understanding what their colleagues have attempted and which research directions still show potential for breakthroughs.
Enter Uncountable, an innovative startup that has engineered a cutting-edge AI-powered research data management platform designed to help scientists extract maximum value from their experimental data. This revolutionary platform enables researchers to access data from any location, merge information using customized parameters, and generate compelling visualizations to effectively communicate findings with team members. The system also incorporates sophisticated machine learning models that assist scientists in testing materials more efficiently and predicting experimental outcomes with remarkable accuracy.
Uncountable's mission centers on accelerating innovation by providing scientists developing novel materials and products with superior tools to leverage data-driven decision making processes.
"Our primary objective is freeing scientists from the administrative burden they currently face, allowing them to concentrate on innovation and chemistry," explains Will Tashman '13, who co-established the company with Noel Hollingsworth '13, SM '14 in 2016.
Initially focusing on clients in the industrial chemical sector, Uncountable has since expanded its reach to collaborate with companies formulating advanced battery materials, developing polymers for 3D printing applications, and identifying promising drug candidates in the pharmaceutical industry.
"Our internal goal is challenging ourselves with the question: 'Can we enhance R&D efficiency by a factor of 10?'" Hollingsworth elaborates. "Can we envision a future where instead of waiting for the Tesla battery projected for 2032, you could access it next year? That's the transformative future we're working to enable through our software solutions."
A winning team
Hollingsworth and Tashman's partnership began on MIT's basketball team, where both were starters on the 2011-2012 team that claimed the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference championship.
During his MIT tenure, Hollingsworth developed a passion for startups while interning at smaller companies. He also drew inspiration from alumni including Dropbox co-founder Drew Houston '05, who shared insights about entrepreneurship.
Following graduation, Hollingsworth joined sports analytics company Second Spectrum while Tashman began working at Apple, yet they maintained their basketball connection.
"Playing basketball forged an incredibly strong bond between us," Hollingsworth reflects. "The trust developed through competing together on the same sports team for multiple years created a unique connection that's rarely found in other professional settings."
The entrepreneurs later recruited Jason Hirshman, a talented programmer from Stanford University whom Hollingsworth had previously worked with. The founding team believed they could develop a software platform to enhance efficiency in advanced manufacturing, but first needed to understand the specific challenges potential customers were experiencing.
Tashman searched the MIT directory for individuals who might benefit from their concept, eventually connecting with several people who either became Uncountable's first clients or introduced the startup to early customers.
Among these connections was Chris Couch '92, SM '93, PhD '99, Senior Vice President and CTO of Cooper Standard, a global supplier of transportation and industrial components. Uncountable conducted its initial pilot program with Cooper Standard, which became one of the startup's most prominent early clients. Couch also suggested the founders explore implementing neural networks to enhance rubber compound formulation and optimization.
"We engaged in extensive discussions about the potential benefits and limitations of this approach, which ultimately served as the catalyst [for developing Uncountable's platform]," Tashman notes. "Leveraging the MIT network and consulting with brilliant minds holding R&D leadership positions at formulation companies proved invaluable to our development process."
Uncountable initially focused on assisting companies with rubber formulation data but quickly discovered that teams working on chemicals for consumer products, food applications, and life sciences faced similar processes and challenges.
"The data was typically scattered across 1,000 different folders under 10 different naming conventions, potentially stored in laboratories worldwide," Tashman explains. "[With Uncountable], everything is consolidated in a single location. We provide immediate access to information within a highly secure, controlled environment. With centralized data, users can generate reports, apply filters, monitor laboratory activities, and leverage advanced AI algorithms to optimize their experiments."
The founders emphasize that their system significantly reduces the time scientists spend analyzing data from different experiments while enabling researchers to view correlations and formulas that their colleagues have already investigated.
"Numerous studies highlight the astonishing number of experiments and trials that are repeated due to inadequate documentation or ineffective sharing and collaboration," Tashman observes.
This centralized data management approach also enables companies to apply machine learning algorithms to their data in innovative ways, with Uncountable integrating several custom models into its system.
"When data is properly organized and sufficiently comprehensive, you suddenly unlock access to significantly more powerful mathematical and statistical tools," Tashman states.
Accelerating scientific discovery
Carbon, a 3D printing company that develops resins for consumer goods, automotive applications, and biotech firms, had relied on Excel spreadsheets for R&D management before implementing Uncountable's predictive analytics for materials development solution.
Uncountable helps Carbon's scientists save several hours weekly on data sharing, analysis, and preparing presentations for leadership. When a new scientist joins a project, they can immediately view all formulations the team has explored, eliminating redundant work and facilitating identification of areas requiring deeper investigation.
"Uncountable enables us to assess whether we're exploring sufficiently, what additional approaches we might consider, and whether there are other factors to evaluate," notes Carbon scientist Marie Herring '11. "We reach these conclusions more rapidly, significantly accelerating the entire R&D process."
Carbon represents one of several 3D printing companies partnering with Uncountable. As the founders have recognized that scientists face similar challenges across industries, the company has expanded to serve teams developing energy storage devices, plant-based food alternatives, biotech startups, and research hospitals. Another client, Nohbo, is creating dissolvable toiletries that could eliminate millions of tons of plastic waste generated by hotels annually.
"Achieving these greener, more sustainable products doesn't happen through magic," Hollingsworth emphasizes. "The future isn't simply discovered—it's invented by the dedicated scientists we collaborate with daily. Having the opportunity to support these partners across diverse fields, not just in one industry but across all sectors, has been truly remarkable."
