Business news : Smart Apparel Startup OMsignal Gets $1M in Seed Funding

Montréal-based OMsignal Inc., a startup company which develops bio-sensing clothing that connects with mobile devices, has obtained a $1 million seed-stage round of financing. The deal involved Canadian venture capital firms Real Ventures and Golden Venture Partners, as well as TechStars CEO David Cohen. OMsignal said it would open its apparel platform to external parties this summer.

With the recent rise in popularity of bracelets and clip-ons, consumers have demonstrated a clear demand for wearable computing and all the bio-feedback that comes along with it, OMsignal said in a release. In addition to physical activity, bio-sensing clothing from OMsignal captures ECG and breathing patterns on a continuous basis.

“OMsignal goes well beyond today’s existing smart accessories to track core biological signals,” said Matt Golden, Golden Venture Partners. “This represents a major shift in the ability to monitor in-depth biological rhythms discretely and continuously as people go about their normal lives.”

Alan MacIntosh, from Real Ventures noted, “The founders of OMsignal pulled together an exceptionally talented team from very diverse and highly specialized fields including scientists, designers, engineers, medical experts as well as renowned academic researchers. Working with world-class partners, OMsignal has also tapped into Montreal’s unique history of high-end textile development and its vibrant tech startup community.”

This summer, the company will open its bio-sensing apparel platform to external parties. Stéphane Marceau, CEO of OMsignal explains, “Our ultimate goal is to enable a variety of partner services and applications to help people lead healthier and happier lives. In line with this goal and to encourage innovation on our platform, we’ve initiated a program to give 100 free shirts to innovators of all types”.

Source OMsignal Inc through SportsOneSource