Project description
Smart app helps control blood flow into prefrontal cortex
Using a brain-computer interface, neurofeedback provides real time displays of an individual’s brain activity. To improve brain function, neurofeedback methods use brain training techniques together with imaging of neural activity. Up to now, this has usually taken place in clinics and can be expensive. The EU-funded Mendi Neurofeedback project is developing a new technology that will bring the most advanced neurofeedback imaging techniques and training methods — those used in leading clinics around the world — into the consumer market. This new technology consists of a headband with advanced sensors that measures brain activity in the prefrontal cortex. It also includes a mobile app that translates the brain activity into a score. Users can play a game on their mobile device to consciously control the score and ultimately control the activity in the prefrontal cortex, to strengthen this region.
Objective
Neurofeedback methods use brain training techniques coupled with direct imaging of neural activity to improve brain function, but current approaches are limited to expensive clinics, or low accuracy consumer products. Co-founders Sammy Saldjoghi and Rickard Eklöf started Mendi in 2018 to bring the most advanced neurofeedback imaging techniques and training methods, used in leading clinics around the world, into the consumer market.
Our system has two elements. A proprietary headband with advanced sensors that measures brain activity in the prefrontal cortex. A mobile app then abstracts the brain activity to a score. By training using a game to consciously control the score, users improve the control of brain activity in the prefrontal cortex. This revolutionary approach democratises neurofeedback, with a unique consumer system for unlimited home use, at a fraction of clinic prices (€500 vs €15,000).
After a successful small-scale pilot of our first-generation product - first sales were in April 2019 – we are preparing our production line for market entry in the consumer market by the end of 2019.
Our second-generation product will extend the functionality of our product to a wellness-as-a-service platform, linking to healthcare and wellness sector leaders. This project will evaluate aspects of the feasibility of this approach, identify target market segments, engage early-adopter customers, update requirements, and refine go-to-market strategies, plans and funding requirements.
We anticipate €35M annual revenues and 170 FTE by 2025. Scaling from B2C to B2B and B2G will disrupt mental healthcare, create new markets and generate a potential long-term €1B share of a €80B total global market.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinator
115 36 STOCKHOLM
Sweden
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.