Affotek

Durham based business, Affotek, have gained success in The Enterprise Hub scheme and accessed grant funding after reaching out to the Innovation SuperNetwork for support with developing and marketing prototypes of patented wearables.

There is an all-pervasive commitment to support businesses. With Innovation SuperNetwork, businesses have a superb organisation to support them at every stage of growth. Affotek have experienced this.

Dr Chenna Rajagopal OBE, Director at Affotek

Looking for Support

Affotek are an innovative health technology business creating affordable products in the med tech sector. Founded by Dr Chenna Rajagopal eight years ago, Affotek are committed to creating innovative solutions in wearable medical tech, specifically in the early detection and treatment of medical conditions such as epilepsy.

Beginning his career in peadiatrics, Dr Rajagopal believes that lifesaving medical devices should be accessible and affordable, helping to not only improve the lives of users, but also saving the NHS millions of pounds in patient care. With this inspiration, he began to prototype a smart ring which could monitor and detect changes to long term health conditions.

Support from Innovation SuperNetwork

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Affotek were selected for the Challenge North East Covid 19 open innovation programme delivered by Innovation SuperNetwork, and supported by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership.

This programme saw Affotek taking part in a co-design programme, and Dr Rajagopal was able to test his technology with a wider network of innovators who were trying to find new ways to safely deliver care to vulnerable people in their homes, whilst navigating the many isolating restrictions of Lockdown. As a result of the programme, they began to work with the Innovation SuperNetwork team, who have been able to support them on their innovation journey.

Building on the relationship with the Innovation SuperNetwork, Affotek were also involved as an Innovation Showcase business in the flagship annual Innovation conference, VentureFest North East 2022, and took part in the event’s online programme where they met with Royal Academy of Engineering for the first time.

Working with SuperNetwork exceeded my expectation and has put Affotek in a better position as a viable business. As a result, we have entered into a contract with firms for the use of one Affotek’s wearables.

Dr Chenna Rajagopal OBE, Director at Affotek

Impact

Following their meeting with The Royal Academy of Engineering, Affotek submitted an application to phase one of the Regional Talent Engines programme. Success at phase two of the programme led to Affotek accessing £20,000 of equity free funding, as well as expert mentoring, training and 1-2-1 coaching.

The Innovation SuperNetwork team has continued to work in close partnership with Affotek, and has also enabled them to work with the Sunderland University Advanced Manufacturing (SAM) project team to develop new prototype devises and supporting technology, as well as being invited to showcase their technology and potential use cases within Northern Gas Network’s future technology team.

Due to these successes, Dr Rajagopal and his team have been able to continue their innovation journey and create new prototype use cases for their wearable ring, including remote monitoring of vulnerable people for issues such as carbon monoxide exposure.