Axcend is a provider of innovative, compact nanoflow liquid chromatography (LC) systems offering dramatic improvements in portability, ease of operation, rapid and convenient deployment, and coupling to other analytical systems (such as mass spectrometry). Axcend's first product — the Axcend Focus LC — emphasizes simplicity and ease of transport, while still retaining high performance and robustness. Developed in the laboratories at Brigham Young University under the direction of Prof. Milton Lee (renowned expert in miniaturized chromatography design and operation), the key features of the Axcend Focus LC include low-power consumption with line voltage or battery operation as standard features; simple and tool-less column exchange via a column cartridge; dramatic reduction in solvent, sample, and waste volume; hand-portable size and weight; novel LED UV-absorption detection for sensitive target analyte detection; and elegant user interface supporting leading computer and mobile devices. The Axcend Focus LC was introduced at the Pittcon 2018 Conference & Exposition where it won a Bronze Pittcon Excellence Award from "Pittcon Today" magazine.