Tell us the story of how and why you started your company.
Prevent Biometrics' core technology was originally conceived as a tool for Dr. Vincent Miele - at the time a ringside physician in boxing and a neurosurgeon at Cleveland Clinic - to help determine when he should call off a fight in boxing. In 2014, engineers at Cleveland Clinic developed and tested prototypes of a product that can accurately measure head impacts, which Prevent is now taking to market. Steve Washburn, former CEO of Shock Doctor, given his extensive experience with youth sports equipment, immediately saw the market potential across all contact sports. Prevent Biometrics signed an exclusive license agreement with Cleveland Clinic in 2015 and plans to launch the product in late 2016.
What’s your most recent success or milestone hit?
The U.S. government has been pouring millions of dollars into research to help better understand concussions; Prevent Biometrics is beginning to work with both the NCAA and U.S. Army researchers who would like to measure head impacts in their studies. These researchers have tried all of the devices available today and have yet to find a device that can provide accurate measurements. Sales to these research markets validate Prevent Biometrics' technology, but also help the company generate revenue ahead of its official launch in the youth sports market in late 2016.
Where do you see your startup in 1 year?
We believe that by mid-year 2017, Prevent Biometrics will be scaling rapidly to meet rapidly rising demand.
