NeuroBell, winners of Pioneer Group’s inaugural Ireland Accelerator Programme, have announced a €2.1 million (£1.8m) funding round to help launch its seizure detection for newborns device and secure regulatory approval.

A University College Cork spin-out, founded by researchers from the Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research at UCC, NueroBell will also create 12 new jobs over the next 12 months.

NeuroBell‘s wireless device enables the monitoring of babies without the need for continuous electroencephalography monitoring and specialised training. Its AI-powered neonatal brain monitor detects brain seizures in babies admitted to neonatal intensive care units after birth.

NeuroBell says around two million newborns worldwide suffer from brain injuries at birth. For babies receiving additional care following a traumatic birth, the new device could have a significant impact on the quality of care that newborns receive.

The funding round was led by Furthr VC, Atlantic Bridge and HBAN Medtech Syndicate. Enterprise Ireland, an existing investor through its commercialisation arm, also joined the funding round.

Mark O’Sullivan, NeuroBell Cofounder: “This funding marks a significant leap forward in advancing our goal to launch the product and get it into the hands of clinicians around the world to help newborn patients.”