Kokoon

Kokoon Technology, established in London in 2013, operates within the consumer wellness and technology market, focusing on sleep science. The company was founded by Tim Antos and Richard Hall, who brought together their respective backgrounds in mechanical and electronics engineering. Antos' personal struggles with sleep, and his discovery of audio's effectiveness at a sleep clinic, served as the catalyst for the company's creation. He found conventional headphones too uncomfortable for sleeping, which sparked the idea to develop a specialized solution.

The firm's flagship products are sleep-sensing headphones designed to be comfortable enough to wear throughout the night. These devices incorporate miniature electroencephalogram (EEG) sensors to monitor brainwave activity, allowing the system to track when a user falls asleep and their different sleep stages. This data enables an intelligent feedback loop; the accompanying mobile application adapts the audio in real-time based on the user's state. For example, it can fade out content as the user drifts off and introduce noise masking (like white, pink, or brown noise) to protect against disturbances. The product ecosystem is built on a hardware sale model, with headphones retailing for around $285-$350. This is complemented by a subscription-based business model for the Kokoon mobile app, which offers a library of audio content such as guided meditations, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, and soundscapes. While some content is free, full access requires a recurring fee.

Kokoon targets individuals experiencing sleep difficulties due to stress and frequent travelers. The company has engaged in corporate partnerships, with several airlines subscribing to trials of the technology. Kokoon's journey began with seed funding from personal finances and participation in the HAX hardware accelerator in 2015. A significant milestone was its 2015 Kickstarter campaign, which vastly exceeded its $100,000 goal to raise nearly $2 million, pre-selling over 10,000 units. The company has since raised a total of $4.61 million through multiple funding rounds, including investments from Crowdcube, HAX, and Blackfinch Ventures. In a notable partnership, Kokoon collaborated with Philips to launch the Philips x Kokoon Sleep Headphones.

Keywords: sleep technology, sleep headphones, EEG sensors, cognitive behavioral therapy, noise masking, sleep tracking, wellness technology, audio for sleep, relaxation aids, smart headphones, consumer electronics, sleep science, meditation app, Tim Antos, Richard Hall, HAX accelerator, Kickstarter hardware, consumer wellness, sleep monitoring, personalized audio, soundscapes