Q30 Innovations

Q30 Innovations, founded in 2012 by Tom Hoey and Bruce Angus, is a consumer durables company focused on advancing head safety technology. The company's core mission is to mitigate the risk of traumatic brain injury for athletes and military personnel. The firm is built around a product called the Q-Collar, which was developed after a team of medical experts identified the movement of the brain within the skull, or "slosh," as a significant cause of brain injury. Hoey's background includes prior leadership roles at MoGo Sport and Millsport, bringing experience in the sports equipment and marketing sectors to the venture.

The company's flagship product, the Q-Collar, is a C-shaped, non-invasive device worn around the neck. Its function is to apply light pressure to the jugular veins, which increases blood volume in the cranium. This action is designed to create a tighter fit for the brain, reducing its movement upon impact and thereby lessening the risk of injury. The Q-Collar is not intended to prevent concussions entirely but to aid in protecting the brain from the effects associated with repetitive sub-concussive head impacts. After a decade of development and over 25 clinical and laboratory studies, the Q-Collar received FDA clearance in February 2021, a major milestone that validated its safety and efficacy. This clearance allows it to be marketed in the United States and Canada for athletes aged 13 and older.

Q30 Innovations operates on a direct-to-consumer and business-to-business model, selling the Q-Collar through its website and forming partnerships with sports leagues and military organizations. The primary market includes athletes in high-contact sports such as football, lacrosse, soccer, and hockey, as well as military and tactical personnel. The standard Q-Collar is priced at $199, with a tactical version available for $249. The business strategy relies heavily on educating consumers and building trust through scientific validation and endorsements from professional athletes and medical experts, including Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Julian Bailes. The company has successfully raised $36.1M in funding to support its research, development, and market expansion efforts.

Keywords: head safety, brain protection, Q-Collar, traumatic brain injury, concussion prevention, sub-concussive impacts, sports safety equipment, FDA cleared medical device, jugular vein compression, athlete protection, military safety gear, contact sports, brain slosh reduction, wearable technology, consumer durables, sports medicine, neuroprotection, head impact reduction, Tom Hoey, Bruce Angus