Two NovaUCD start-ups among winners at global medtech challenge
2 April 2025
lsa Webeck, Vice-President of Commercialisation Strategy at Simbex and event MC; Eóin Tuohy, CEO and founder of Sports Impact Technologies; and Professor Steven F. Tello, Associate Vice Chancellor for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development and Co-Director of M2D2, University of Massachusetts Lowell Credit: University of Massachusetts Lowell
Two NovaUCD-supported start-ups, Lia Eyecare and Sports Impact Technologies, are among the winners of the University of Massachusetts Lowell’s prestigious M2D2 Challenge start-up competition.
Hosted by the university’s Medical Device Development (M2D2) Centre, the annual competition recognises groundbreaking start-up companies in the medical technology and biotechnology sectors worldwide.
Sports Impact Technologies came in third place, winning in-kind support from Mintz, a US-based law firm and Bene: Studio, a consultancy firm specialising in medtech. Lia Eyecare was announced as winner of the M2D2 $25,000 (€23,000) cash award.
The companies were among only 15 start-ups from around the world selected for the final.
Sports Impact Technologies is developing a wearable sensor for sports players that detects all impacts to the head as they happen, helping to catch concussions early.
The sensor transmits the data instantly to coaches, medical staff or safety officials for immediate decision-making, reducing recovery times. The company is headquartered at NovaUCD.
“The M2D2 has been a great experience for us,” said Eóin Tuohy, CEO and founder of Sports Impact Technologies.
“We are delighted with the validation from the judges and the wider UMass Lowell community as we set our sights on the US.”
llsa Webeck, Vice-President of Commercialisation Strategy at Simbex and event MC; Breda O’Regan, CEO and co-founder of Lia Eyecare; Kathryn Ellis, Director of the Innovation Institute, University of Massachusetts Amherst and Newton; and Professor Steven F. Tello, Associate Vice Chancellor for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development and Co-Director of M2D2, University of Massachusetts Lowell Credit: University of Massachusetts Lowell
Lia Eyecare, a joint UCD and University of Galway ophthalmology spin-out, has developed Nightleaf™, which aims to be the first wearable solution for dry eye disease.
Designed to be worn overnight, Nightleaf™’s technology triggers the wearer’s tear glands to create a natural tear. This replenishes and maintains a consistent tear film over the eye throughout the night, resulting in a layer that protects and soothes the eye.
Headquartered in Cork and with offices in NovaUCD, Lia Eyecare was co-founded by CEO Breda O'Regan and Sinéad Buckley.
“Being selected as a finalist, and now one of the winners, of this prestigious global challenge is a powerful validation of our work,” said O’Regan.
“It positions Lia Eyecare among the top emerging MedTech start-ups globally. We first became aware of this opportunity during the AwakenHub St. Brigid’s trade mission to Boston and New York, which was instrumental in guiding us here.”
By: Rebecca Hastings, Digital Journalist, UCD University Relations
To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie
