News / Health
‘Revolutionary’ stroke rehabilitation startup scoops top award
A startup that is “revolutionising” stroke rehabilitation has won Best Elevator Pitch at Bristol’s Tech-Xpo 2023.
Caz Icke’s startup, SoleSense, provides personalised digital physiotherapy to stroke patients using sensors in shoes and a special app that gives instant feedback on how the therapy is going.
SoleSense can be used by clinicians and individuals alike and is designed to enable patients to carry out more independent rehabilitation.
Patients can wear the insoles continuously to improve performance in balance and walking, enabling them to track their own progress and set collaborative goals with their therapist.
The startup was founded in 2019 following Caz’s experiences as a specialist neurorehabilitation physio working with stroke patients.
She found that the national average for NHS physiotherapy provision is nowhere near enough to give the 100,000 stroke survivors per year in the UK the rehabilitation time they need.
A startup which uses shoe sensors and a real-time biofeedback application to provide personalised digital physiotherapy to stroke patients has won a top award – photo: SETsquared Bristol
The startup joined the University of Bristol’s tech incubator, SETsquared Bristol, in 2022 in order to join a community of healthtech and tech startups and to get support with fundraising.
Prior to this, Caz was a recipient of SETsquared Bristol’s Enterprising Women, a business support programme fully funded by NatWest.
Now in its 19th year, Tech-Xpo is SETsquared Bristol’s flagship showcase which was held on June 28 at Bristol Harbour Hotel.
SoleSense pitched in front of an audience of more than 100 investors and business movers and shakers, competing against ten other innovative technology companies.
SoleSense won Best Elevator Pitch at SETsquared Bristol’ sTech-Xpo 2023 – photo: SETsquared Bristol
Caz commented: “It was a great pleasure to take part in Tech-Xpo; the warm atmosphere and friendly camaraderie made it easy to relax and enjoy the moment, with winning the icing on the cake!
“It is always great to receive such a boost on a journey that can be pretty challenging, especially as a sole founder.
“SETsquared has given me brilliant support and I’m really looking forward to the next stage of raising funds to grow the business.”
Kimberley Brook, SETsquared Bristol’s director, added: “SoleSense was a very popular choice at Tech-Xpo, which was no mean feat considering the exceptional line-up of talent and pitching prowess on show.
“Caz is one of Bristol’s leading female clinical entrepreneurs, has won prestigious grants and has a bright future.”
Previous Tech-Xpo winners include Ferryx, the 2021 winner, which closed its first investment round of £300k shortly afterwards, while KETS Quantum Security, the 2020 winner, has raised £3.1m pre-series A.
The 2023 event was sponsored by VWV and Bristol Innovations.
Main photo: SETsquared Bristol
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