Maximilian (Max) Kopp
Placed in the Top 3 in Engineering at the National Junior Science & Humanities Symposium (JSHS) as a high school student — cited in Max Kopp’s public project write-up (May 2025).
What they built
Founded VitaSensor, a healthtech startup developing patented non-invasive glucose monitoring technology that uses GeSe nanomaterials, polarized photonics, and AI to measure blood sugar levels through the skin — no needles, no implants. Motivated by watching family members endure the pain and relentless demands of conventional CGM systems, Kopp began the project as a self-initiated high school research endeavor. VitaSensor has reached a third-generation prototype, secured outside investment, and is advancing toward large-scale clinical testing, with the goal of making diabetes management painless and globally affordable. Kopp also founded the Kopp Foundation for Diabetes (KFD), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with 11 university chapters and over 120 volunteers reaching 10,000+ students nationwide.
View ProjectThe F18 Thesis
Verified track record
- Yahoo Finance — "Meet Max Kopp: The 17-Year-Old Scientist & Entrepreneur Redefining Innovation in Med-Tech & Aerospace" (source)
- EINPresswire — "VitaSense CEO Max Kopp Honored as Philly Inno 25 Under 25 Innovator" (May 16, 2025) (source)
- HIStalk Readers Write — "Early Innovation Matters: What I Learned Building a Glucose Sensor in High School" (Apr 28, 2025) (source)
- Drug Delivery Business News — "New funding supports Vitasense non-invasive glucose monitoring tech" (source)
- TechBullion — "Max Kopp Advancing Type 1 Diabetes Care Through Youth Innovation" (source)
- LinkedIn — Conrad Challenge Global Finalist 2025, U.S. Navy Environmental Science Award 2025, U.S. Air Force STEM Recognition 2025, S.-T. Yau Science Award Bronze Medal 2024 (source)