3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Irish start-up secures funding for groundbreaking concussion tech
The Irish start-up says it has developed a compact, behind-the-ear sports wearable that detects head impacts instantly, and that will enhance player safety and performance by eliminating undetected concussions.
The €650,000 funding includes private investors and has the support of Enterprise Ireland's high-potential start-up unit. The funding will be used by Sports Impact Technologies to accelerate the roll-out of the company's test product.
The company says the sensor will sit comfortably and discreetly behind the ear and monitor head impacts during a game by recording sharp and sudden head movements.
Data and alerts will be sent in real time through an app to coaches, medical staff, or safety officials who will receive information on a player's current condition after an impact. This will enable them to make an informed decision about whether to take a player off the pitch to be assessed for concussion, which should reduce the risk of further injury and enhance player safety on the field.
Sports Impact Technologies was founded in 2022 by Eóin Tuohy, with their headquarters based at NovaUCD in Dublin.
Mr Tuohy said: 'Using our smart sensor technology to monitor head impacts in real time, our goal is to make unrecognised concussions a thing of the past – protecting athletes, optimising their performance, and enabling participation.
'We're thrilled to have closed this funding round with the backing of both private investors and Enterprise Ireland. The investment will support the final stages of product development and help us bring our beta wearable to market.'
Sports Impact Technologies previously completed the Enterprise Ireland funded New Frontiers programme at TU Dublin, a finance scheme to help start-ups, and secured €100,000 in Enterprise Ireland Pre-Seed Fund Start (PSSF) funding.
Keith Brock, a senior client advisor of Enterprise Ireland, said: 'Enterprise Ireland is proud to support Sports Impact Technologies through our high-potential start-up funding.
'This investment reflects our commitment to backing innovative Irish companies that are solving real-world challenges with global relevance. The team's wearable sensor technology is a game-changer for athlete safety, and we're excited to support their journey as they bring this product to market.'
Sports Impact Technologies, which is part of a network in Europe that supports entrepreneurs in developing businesses called the ESA BIC, was named the winner of the 'Best New Start' Award in the Connacht and Leinster regional final of the 2024 InterTradeIreland Seedcorn Investor Readiness Competition.
