Healium, a virtual and augmented reality biofeedback company, announced Monday one of the largest private equity raises in mid-Missouri history for a women-owned business. The startup, which converts bio-data from any fitness tracker into immersive, reactive media, has also signed a know-how licensing agreement with the Mayo Clinic.
A “virtual firefly release” with the Healium team and Missouri stakeholders was planned for Monday morning to celebrate the news, according to Sarah Hill, CEO of the Columbia-based startup.
The technology developed by Hill and Dr. Jeff Tarrant is a collaboration between biometric data, generative AI, and XR content. The technology can transform hurtful media images into something soothing that can be used as a portable coping mechanism for a mental health emergency to quickly interrupt the stress response. Mayo Clinic collaborated with them to build this bridge.
Through the newly announced know-how agreement, the Mayo Clinic will provide subject matter experts to assist in the development of immersive mental health and fitness capabilities utilizing virtual and augmented reality. The Mayo Clinic was also a participant in Healium’s recent $3.6 million oversubscribed seed round.
In addition to the Mayo Clinic, KCRise Fund and the Missouri Technology Corporation invested in Healium’s new seed round, as did Ambition Fund II, Captain Partners & Astronaut Holdings, Citrine Angels, Coact Capital, Gaingels, Impact Venture Capital, QRM Capital, Stadia Ventures, Tidewater Capital, and Underdog Ventures.
According to Hill, Healium has already generated millions of dollars in revenue and created jobs in the high-tech sector for the Missouri economy. Startland News named the company one of the Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2020.
Healium is a drug-free solution for anxiety and sleep management, as well as the technology that connects biometric data to the metaverse. It is the world’s first immersive media channel, powered by the user’s brainwaves and heart rate via wearables that they already own.
