Sports Impact Technologies, an Irish startup, has developed a compact, behind-the-ear sports wearable that detects head impacts in real-time to enhance player safety by preventing undetected concussions. The company has secured €650,000 in pre-seed funding.
Founded in 2022 by Eóin Tuohy and headquartered at NovaUCD in Dublin, this funding round was led by private investors with Enterprise Ireland High-Potential Startup (HPSU) support. The investment will accelerate the roll-out of the beta product.
The wearable sensor, which can be used in various sports, is positioned discreetly behind the ear to monitor head impacts during games. It records head accelerations and transmits data and alerts in real-time via an app to coaches or medical staff, who can then decide if a player should be assessed for concussion to prevent further injury and ensure safety.
Eóin Tuohy stated, “It is estimated that 5% to 10% of players experience concussions each season, with many going unreported. Our technology aims to eliminate unrecognised concussions, protecting athlete health, optimizing performance, and ensuring continued participation.”
He added, “We’re pleased to secure this funding from private investors and Enterprise Ireland, supporting the final stages of product development and market introduction. Beta-testing programs will begin this September across various sports, including American football, rugby, soccer, hockey, and GAA football, providing valuable data for a full launch next year.”
Sports Impact Technologies completed the Enterprise Ireland funded New Frontiers Programme at TU Dublin, secured €100k in Enterprise Ireland PSSF funding, and won the ‘Best New Start’ Award at the Connacht and Leinster regional final of the 2024 InterTradeIreland Seedcorn Investor Readiness Competition.