Controversies and altered submission requirements aside, crowdfunding is still a popular way to get a mobile or digital health project off the ground, which is why we periodically check in on Kickstarter and Indiegogo, the two major crowdfunding platforms, for health and fitness-related projects.
Last month, we wrote about posture-correcting wearable UpRight, stethoscope headset InstaMD, diabetes texting service TraqMe, wellness wearable Vidameter, and health tracking app LifeKeeper.
In addition, on Kickstarter, SCiO, a tiny smartphone-connected spectrometer for analyzing food, raised $2 million this week. Read on for nine more ongoing projects on Kickstarter and Indiegogo that address everything from cancer and urgent care to sleep and fitness.
Tel Aviv, Israel-based MobileOCT makes $400 colposcopes -- devices that screen for cervical cancer -- using a smartphone and a special lens attachment for the camera. These devices are used by clinics in Africa, where the current standard of care is a visual inspection that's not very effective in detecting cervical cancer, one of the most treatable kinds of cancer if caught early. MobileOCT's clinical trials are already ongoing in Haiti, Rwanda, Kenya, Botswana, Mexico, and the United States, sponsored by Vodafone, but the company is crowdfunding to raise money for manufacturing and scaling. So far they've raised $5,000 of a $25,000 goal on Indiegogo.
Iamsick.ca is a website and mobile app designed to help people in Canada find pharmacies, hospitals, and urgent care clinics when they need them. The app currently works in Ontario and allows users to filter results by operating hours, type of service provided, and languages spoken. The app makers are now raising money to expand into other provinces, with the eventual goal of providing nationwide service for Canadians. As well as crowdfunding the project, the team is crowdsourcing the decision about what province to go to next -- backers at the $50 level and higher get a vote. So far they've raised $2,941 out of a $9,000 goal on Indiegogo.
MobiHealthNews wrote about Think Dirty, an app for learning what's in cosmetic products, last fall. The app, free on iOS devices, gives users access to a database of 12,000 cosmetic products, which they can find with either a search or a barcode scan. For each product, the app gives a safety rating based on its ingredients, drawn from a number of publicly available government and non-profit databases in Canada, the United States, and Europe. Now the startup is crowdfunding to develop an Android version, expand its database of products, and develop the business. They've raised $2,400 of a $15,000 goal on Indiegogo.
Based in Espoo, Finland, PulseOn is working on a wearable optical heart rate sensor reminiscent of the Basis Band. The device is not an all-in-one fitness tracker, however, instead focusing entirely on heart rate tracking. The company boasts that its wristworn optical heart rate sensor is just as accurate as a chest strap monitor. The device connects to Apple and Android smartphones via Bluetooth and has multiple algorithms to translate heart rate into a number of different fitness metrics including training intensity and training effect. The device will retail for $199. So far, their Indiegogo campaign has $14,000 of a $150,000 goal.
Stupid Cancer is a not-for-profit organization focused on creating community and various kinds of support for young adults with cancer. The organization is now crowdfunding a mobile app called Instapeer, which will match up cancer patients for 1-to-1 peer counseling. The app allows users to search for people that share their age, diagnosis, location, or career (or any combination of those), and communicate with them via anonymous text messages. The app has so far raised $7,000 of a $40,000 goal on Indiegogo.
Night Shift is a wearable that aims to both evaluate and treat problems with sleep apnea and snoring. The device is worn on the back of the neck while the user sleeps, secured by a collar-like strap. The device monitors sleep quality based on movement and snoring. But it also vibrates gently to encourage the user to sleep on his side rather than his back (many people only snore or snore more when on their back). Over time, the therapy trains the user to sleep on his back consistently. Backers at the $289 and up level opt intoa 6-month usability and efficacy study that will help the company secure FDA clearance before officially going to market. So far Night Shift has raised $13,000 of a $75,000 goal on Indiegogo.
The VR-2 Headphones are headphones with an mp3 player built right in. Like the VR-1, the previous generation, they are aimed particularly at serious athletes who want to listen to either music or a recorded workout regimen while they train, but don't want the added weight or bulk of a separate device. The company is even developing a version that fits into a waterproof swim cap, so swimmers can listen to music or workout tips while under water. FX Sport is funding on Kickstarter, and has so far raised $10,000 of a $50,000 goal.
Lifebringer is a project to create a streamlined web-based way for people with diabetes to manually enter and track their blood glucose. In addition to simple forms that can be accessed online or on mobile, the site will include a "Nagbot" who can be optionally programmed to remind the user to take readings or purchase test strips. Nagbot, a cartoon robot avatar, also explains readings and trends in plain English. The Kickstarter campaign has a goal of $10,000, but so far it's only raised $761.
Lumafit is an activity tracker, but rather than being worn on the wrist like most trackers, it fits over the user's ear, and an attached clip goes on the ear lobe to measure heart rate. The device can return running stats such as impact force, air time (ratio of time in the air per stride), cadence, symmetry, and stride variance, as well as a metric called heart age. The company is also funding several apps including Bootcamp app, Gymtracker app, and Meditation app. Finally, it also syncs with existing fitness apps MapMyFitness and MyFitnessPal. The device has already raised $98,000 on Kickstarter, well over its original goal of $60,000. The device will retail for $109, but is available to early backers for $79.
