Therapy Game Developer Scores Funding
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA startup that develops therapeutic video games has secured nearly $200,000 in National Institutes of Health funding. EmotEd LLC was founded by an Indiana University School of Medicine and Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana researcher and aims to improve emotional health. July 10, 2014
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – EmotEd LLC, an Indiana University startup developing serious video games to diagnose and improve emotional health, recently received a Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) award totaling $194,575 from the National Institutes of Health.
The company is based on research done by EmotEd founder Dawn Newmann at the Indiana University School of Medicine and the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana. Neumann spun out her work through the Indiana University Research and Technology Corp.'s Spin Up Program.
EmotEd will continue to collaborate with the IU School of Medicine and Rehabilitation Hospital to develop and test EmotEd's Emotion Builder platform.
“We are very excited to receive the support from the NIH for this project,” Newmann said. “This is a very exciting market and research area, and we think that the Emotion Builder will have significant benefits for both civilian and veteran patient populations.”
EmotEd will bring together local developer talent and experienced clinical teams to design virtual environments that will provide remote access to validated clinical interventions. Following the footsteps of successful startup companies like Lumosity, EmotEd has the opportunity to define the tele-health space for emotional intelligence.
“There has been a lot of success in the marketplace for products designed to improve cognitive ability with companies like Lumosity,” said Polina Feldman, an IURTC Spin Up associate working closely with Neumann. “There is a huge opportunity, though, for emotional health.
“Emotional health is equally as important as — and in some cases even more important than — cognitive functioning. This is an area that remains largely untapped. EmotEd will combine clinical expertise and the talented software developers within Indiana to seize that opportunity.”
EmotEd was selected to participate in the Innovation Showcase today sponsored by the Indiana Venture Club. EmotEd is one of 81 participants competing for over $120,000 in prizes.
“Dr. Neumann is a great example of a scientist-entrepreneur looking to take her work to the next level,” said Joe Trebley, who runs IURTC's Spin Up Program. “With the non-dilutive funding coming in from the NIH, EmotEd has a lot of momentum right now. It's great to see the community rally to support her.”
The funds from the STTR grant will allow EmotEd to build the initial platform and test it in the clinical setting. EmotEd will continue to seek additional non-dilutive funding through Phase II STTR mechanisms and through the Department of Defense.
“It's a very exciting time. I am very thankful for the support from IUSM, IURTC, NIH and Indiana Venture Club,” Neumann said.
Source: Indiana University