NeuroBell, founded by Dr. Mark O’Sullivan, Dr. Alison O’Shea, and Colm Murphy, is a spin-out company from University College Cork and the Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research (INFANT). Neurobell aims to revolutionize seizure detection in newborns in NICUs, crucial for early intervention in brain injury cases like epilepsy and cerebral palsy. Their pocket-sized wireless brain monitor, utilizing embedded edge-AI, enables seamless and expert-free monitoring, enhancing care without extensive training needs.

CEO Dr. Mark O’Sullivan first embarked on his entrepreneurial journey through UCC Innovation’s SPRINT Accelerator programme in 2019, supported by EI, Bank of Ireland, Cork City Council, and Cork City LEO. This program fast-tracks researchers from diverse disciplines through a 3-month intensive, preparing them from proof of concept to investment pitching. Mark further honed his skills in IGNITE, a startup incubation program offered by UCC, in partnership with various entities, where he gained essential entrepreneurial skills and accessed practical resources.

In January 2024, University College Cork announced the spin-out of NeuroBell, as the company closed a €2.1M investment led by Furthr VC, Atlantic Bridge and HBAN MedTech Syndicate, with Enterprise Ireland and other private investors also investing in the round. The funding will enable NeuroBell to launch its ground-breaking technology for real-time and accurate detection of seizures in newborns needing additional care, enabling early intervention that can improve outcomes. To support its mission, NeuroBell will create 12 new jobs by 2025.

Speaking about his experience with UCC Innovation, Dr, Mark O’ Sullivan said: “UCC has supported us through every step of the journey, from early stage accelerators as a PhD student through to navigating the VC landscape.”

Backed by the Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Fund, NeuroBell is focused on FDA approval for its device’s US launch in 2024, with subsequent entry into the European market. This funding will fuel product development, clinical trials, and team expansion, particularly in engineering, quality assurance, and business development. With an estimated two million newborns globally suffering from birth-related brain injuries, NeuroBell anticipates significant positive impacts on health outcomes and financial burdens, particularly in Ireland, where birth injury claims rank among the costliest for the HSE.

This case study originally appeared in UCC Innovation's Impact Report for 2023, which can be read here.