Local Concussion Detection Startup Selected for National Demo Day

Avert, an Omaha company developing a concussion-detection device, was one of just 40 university startup companies selected for a national demo day in April. Based on research by Nick Stergiou, Ph.D., director of UNO’s Department of Biomechanics, the device uses a person’s balance as a way to measure brain health.

All healthy people make constant, subconscious adjustments to their balance as they stand in place. Dr. Stergiou’s innovative approach was to find a way to recognize the hidden patterns in those adjustments. After a person suffers a brain injury, such as a concussion, it changes the pattern of those subconscious adjustments. Even when a person exhibits no outward symptoms, Avert’s technology can still detect the injury without relying on subjective questionnaires or clinical judgements. Using the device would be similar to standing on a bathroom scale for about 30 seconds.

Hosted by the National Council of Entrepreneurial Tech Transfer, the University Startups Conference and Demo Day began the three-day event on April 18. The event brought together more than 300 entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, industry professionals, angel investors, and corporate executives, among others.