Shimmer
Shimmer is a Dublin-based wearable sensor technology company providing wireless IMU, ECG, EMG, and GSR/PPG modules, ConsensysPRO software, and clinical-trial (Verisense) and neuromarketing (NeuroLynQ) sub-brands to 900+ research institutions, pharma, sports, and healthcare customers across 75+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersGlasnevin, Ireland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Shimmer does
Shimmer Research Ltd. is a Dublin, Ireland-based wearable sensor technology company founded in 2008 (originating from Intel technology in 2006) and operating additional R&D centers in Boston and Kuala Lumpur. The company designs and manufactures a modular wireless sensor platform — anchored by the Shimmer3R and prior-generation Shimmer3 hardware families — that integrates inertial measurement (IMU), electrocardiography (ECG), electromyography (EMG), galvanic skin response / photoplethysmography (GSR/PPG), and force measurement within a single Bluetooth-connected device. The hardware is paired with the ConsensysPRO and ConsensysBASIC software stacks and a multi-language SDK portfolio (Swift, JavaScript, C#, Java/Android, MATLAB, Python) supporting development on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
The business operates four revenue streams: hardware sales of sensor kits, modules and accessories via e-commerce; software licensing of ConsensysPRO on annual and multi-year subscriptions priced from $275 to $2,457 across 1–3 PC configurations; bespoke sensor development services for specialized medical, research and commercial applications; and volume / OEM contract manufacturing for embedded deployments. Distribution combines a direct e-commerce storefront at shimmersensing.com, a phone-based enterprise sales motion, and an integration-driven channel partner ecosystem (iMotions, Tobii Pro, Vivosense, Kinesis QTUG, BioZen, Blueforce, LSL, and 20+ OEM partners). Customer segments span academic and research institutions and pharmaceutical and biotech companies (both primary), with secondary exposure in neuromarketing, sports, and healthcare.
Three specialized sub-brands extend the core platform into vertical-specific offerings: Verisense Health, a wholly-owned spin-off delivering wearable sensing for clinical trials with continuous remote monitoring; NeuroLynQ, a neuromarketing service capturing validated GSR and ECG emotional responses from groups up to 45 participants; and Kinesis QTUG, a gait-analysis-based falls-risk assessment tool. Shimmer holds ISO 13485:2016 medical-device quality certification, has FDA-cleared applications deployed in the U.S., and its technology is referenced in thousands of peer-reviewed publications. The company maintains more than 900 customers across 75+ countries — including University of Wollongong, Boston University, GfK, Reebok (PHD Advanced Concepts), Misfit Wearables, and Dublin City University — and has raised $3.87M from Energy Capital Group (2016) as its only disclosed funding event.
Shimmer firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Shimmer
- Legal name
- Shimmer Research Ltd.
- Website
- https://shimmersensing.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Shimmer is a Dublin-based wearable sensor technology company providing wireless IMU, ECG, EMG, and GSR/PPG modules, ConsensysPRO software, and clinical-trial (Verisense) and neuromarketing (NeuroLynQ) sub-brands to 900+ research institutions, pharma, sports, and healthcare customers across 75+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Shimmer industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wearable Wireless Sensors
- NAICS
- Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)
- SIC
- Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841), Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Health Monitoring Wearables (ECG, BP, SpO2, CGM-compatible) (CRACAIAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Smart Fitness & Training Devices (Connected Fitness Sensors, Smart Jump Ropes, etc.) (CRACAQAH), Industrial-Grade Sensors & Transducer Components (Discrete sensing elements, transducers, MEMS sensors) (IMAGAJAO)
Keywords
Where Shimmer is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Glasnevin
- HQ country
- Ireland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Shimmer business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Wearable Sensor Hardware Sales: Sale of Shimmer3 and Shimmer3R sensor units, development kits, individual sensors, and accessories including SD cards, chargers, and electrodes
- ConsensysPRO Software Licensing: Annual software licenses for ConsensysPRO data collection and management platform, available in 1, 2, or 3 year terms for 1-3 PC configurations ranging from $275 to $2,457
- Customized Sensor Development Services: Bespoke sensor development services for specialized medical, research, and commercial applications requiring customized solutions
- Volume Manufacturing: Contract manufacturing services for wearable sensor solutions of any complexity, including OEM production for embedded applications
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | ConsensysPRO 1 Year License - Single PC |
| Subscription | Annual | ConsensysPRO 1 Year License - 2 PCs |
| Subscription | Annual | ConsensysPRO 1 Year License - 3 PCs |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | ConsensysPRO Multi-Year Licenses |
| Freemium | Monthly | ConsensysBASIC |
| Other | Monthly | Corporate Credit Account |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Shimmer product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Shimmer designs, manufactures, and sells clinical-grade wearable wireless sensor hardware (Shimmer3R and Shimmer3 sensor modules covering IMU, ECG, EMG, GSR/PPG, and Bridge Amplifier measurements) along with supporting software (ConsensysPRO/BASIC) and APIs (Swift, JavaScript, C#, Java/Android, MATLAB). It also delivers customized sensor development, OEM volume manufacturing services, and turnkey sub-brand solutions (Verisense for clinical trials, NeuroLynQ for neuromarketing, Kinesis QTUG for falls risk assessment).
Product overview
Shimmer is a wearable sensor technology company offering a platform of wireless sensors, software, and APIs for research and clinical applications. The core hardware consists of Shimmer3R and Shimmer3 sensor modules (IMU, ECG, EMG, GSR+/PPG, Bridge Amplifier) controlled via ConsensysPRO/BASIC software. Specialty solutions include NeuroLynQ for neuromarketing and Verisense for clinical trials, while Kinesis QTUG addresses falls assessment. Development is supported through multiple APIs (Swift, JavaScript, C#, Java/Android, MATLAB) with LSL integration for research ecosystems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Verisense: Wearable sensing platform for clinical trials providing activity and sleep sensors for 24/7 remote patient monitoring
- NeuroLynQ
- Kinesis QTUG
- ConsensysPRO
Products and services
- Shimmer3R Wearable Wireless Platform Reliable and robust wearable wireless sensor platform featuring an updated BLE radio for high-quality data streaming and browser compatibility across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS; supports motion, ECG, EMG, and GSR/PPG sensing for research, clinical, and commercial users.
- Shimmer3 IMU Module Inertial Measurement Unit with wide range accelerometer, low noise accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, and altimeter for comprehensive motion tracking applications.
- Shimmer3 ECG Module Electrocardiography sensor module for electrocardiogram, heart rate, and respiration measurement, includes all IMU sensor capabilities for combined biophysical and motion capture.
- Shimmer3 EMG Module Electromyography sensor module for electromyogram measurement, includes all IMU sensor capabilities.
- Shimmer3 GSR+ Module Galvanic Skin Response (Electrodermal Activity) and Photoplethysmography sensor for measuring emotional and physiological responses including heart rate.
- Shimmer3 Bridge Amplifier Force and resistance sensor module for force, load, weight, torque, pressure, and skin surface temperature measurements.
- Shimmer3 Proto3 Deluxe Development Kit Expansion board and enclosure with 4 channels of analogue input or 2 channels of digital input via 3.5mm jack connectors for prototyping custom sensing applications.
- ConsensysPRO Software Advanced software platform for configuring Shimmer sensors, streaming real-time data, and managing collected data. Supports recording from multiple Shimmers, event markers, data annotations, and built-in algorithms (6DoF to Quaternion, ECG-to-HR, PPG-to-HR, inter-beat interval, activity level reports, EMG band-pass filtering). Licensed annually with optional multi-year terms.
- ConsensysBASIC Software Free basic version of Consensys software providing the ability to run, collect, and download data with a single Shimmer sensor, with limited features and no software support.
- NeuroLynQ Neuromarketing Solution Turnkey neuromarketing solution using scientifically validated GSR and ECG data to provide real-time insight into unconscious emotional responses of groups of up to 45 participants, supporting segmentation, video-data overlay, and live audience streaming for in-person or at-home studies.
- Verisense Clinical Trials Platform Spin-off wearable sensing platform designed specifically for clinical trials, enabling continuous remote monitoring of participants' activity, sleep, and heart rate with extended battery life, continuous raw data capture, multiple data integrity features, and advanced remote management. Now operates as a separate entity (Verisense Health).
- Kinesis QTUG Falls Risk Assessment Proven tool for falls risk assessment and predicting falls, using gait analysis technology built on Shimmer sensors.
- Custom Sensor Development Services Bespoke sensor development services for specialized medical, research, and commercial applications requiring customized wearable sensing solutions.
- Volume Manufacturing Services Contract manufacturing services for wearable sensor solutions of any complexity, including OEM production for embedded applications.
Quantifiable outcome
- Deployed in FDA approved biophysical applications in the US
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Shimmer
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Shimmer technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability5 records
Feature11 records
Shimmer partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and notable.
- Lab Streaming Layer (LSL)coreOpen-source middleware ecosystem integration enabling synchronized streaming of neural, physiological, and behavioral data across networked systems
- Dublin City University (DCU)corePartnership for SwEatch platform development - biochemical sensing platform for real-time monitoring of sodium content in sweat using custom Shimmer electronics
- Blueforce DevelopmentnotableIntegration of Shimmer GSR sensor with BioZen biofeedback application for real-time physiological response monitoring
- Boston UniversitycoreAcademic research partnership and collaboration in wearable sensing technology development
- University of WollongongcoreStrategic alliance for development of next generation wearable sensing technologies and their implementation in sports training and rehabilitation
- GfKnotableNeuromarketing collaboration using NeuroLynQ system for biometric testing studies, including World Cup advertisement response testing
- National Center for Telehealth and TechnologynotableDeveloper of BioZen application that integrates Shimmer sensors for biofeedback therapy including EMG, GSR, and ECG monitoring
- iMotionscoreIntegration partner for biometric data collection and analysis platform; featured in quarterly newsletter spotlight
- Kinesis Health TechnologiesnotableQTUG falls risk assessment tool provider using Shimmer sensors for gait analysis
- mDurance SolutionsnotablePartner featured in quarterly newsletter spotlight; surface EMG solutions integration
- DycarenotableRehabilitation and monitoring solutions partner
- VivosensenotableData analysis and visualization partner for wearable sensor data
- Tobii PronotableEye tracking integration partner for combined physiological and gaze research
- IntelnotableFounded based on Intel technology in 2006; foundational technology partnership for sensor development
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Shimmer competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Empatica: Empatica makes FDA-cleared wearable sensors (E4 wristband, Embrace) for clinical research, neurology, and patient monitoring — directly competing with Shimmer's clinical-grade wearable sensor platform in health monitoring and clinical trial use cases.
- ActiGraph: ActiGraph is a leading provider of wearable activity monitors and digital health solutions for clinical research and pharmaceutical trials — directly comparable to Shimmer's research-grade wearable sensors and Verisense clinical trials platform.
- Movisens: Movisens produces research-grade wearable sensors for psychological and physiological studies, including ECG, EDA/GSR, and activity monitoring — directly competing with Shimmer's multi-sensor platform in academic research and biosignal acquisition.
- Equivital: Equivital (formerly Hidalgo) provides clinical-grade wearable physiological monitoring solutions for research, defense, and healthcare — comparable to Shimmer's wearable sensor platform for continuous biophysical data capture in real-world environments.
- BioStamp (Medidata): BioStamp (now part of Medidata/Dassault Systèmes) provides clinical-grade wearable sensors for decentralized clinical trials and remote patient monitoring — directly overlapping with Verisense's clinical trials positioning.
Broad incumbents
- Polar Electro: Polar is a long-established wearable heart rate and sports performance brand with research-grade sensors used in academic and clinical studies — broader incumbent that overlaps with Shimmer's sports, ECG, and HRV research use cases.
- Garmin Health: Garmin Health leverages Garmin's massive wearable install base for research, wellness, and population health — a broader incumbent providing wearable data at scale that competes with Shimmer's research-grade sensor value proposition.
- Withings: Withings produces consumer-grade connected health devices (watches, scales, sleep mats) with health monitoring capabilities — broader incumbent that competes at the consumer edge of Shimmer's wearable health monitoring category.
Others
- iMotions: iMotions is a biometric data collection and analysis platform that integrates with Shimmer sensors for neuroscience, UX, and consumer research — adjacent ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor, but tightly coupled as an integration partner.
- Tobii Pro: Tobii Pro is a leading eye tracking research platform that integrates with Shimmer's GSR/ECG sensors for combined physiological and gaze research — adjacent enabling technology and Shimmer integration partner in the human behavior research ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Shimmer social profiles
Digital presenceShimmer compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Shimmer financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Shimmer leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Shimmer subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Shimmer funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Shimmer M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Shimmer
What does Shimmer do?
Shimmer designs, manufactures, and sells clinical-grade wearable wireless sensor hardware (Shimmer3R and Shimmer3 sensor modules covering IMU, ECG, EMG, GSR/PPG, and Bridge Amplifier measurements) along with supporting software (ConsensysPRO/BASIC) and APIs (Swift, JavaScript, C#, Java/Android, MATLAB). It also delivers customized sensor development, OEM volume manufacturing services, and turnkey sub-brand solutions (Verisense for clinical trials, NeuroLynQ for neuromarketing, Kinesis QTUG for falls risk assessment).
Is Shimmer a public or private company?
Shimmer is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Shimmer founded?
Shimmer was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Shimmer based?
Shimmer is headquartered in Glasnevin, Ireland, in the Europe region.
How does Shimmer make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Wearable Sensor Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are consensysPRO Software Licensing, customized Sensor Development Services and volume Manufacturing.
Who are Shimmer's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Empatica, ActiGraph, Movisens, Equivital and BioStamp (Medidata). Broad incumbents are Polar Electro, Garmin Health and Withings. Others are iMotions and Tobii Pro.
Does Shimmer have an API?
Yes. Shimmer offers multiple APIs for sensor integration: Swift API (for macOS and iOS development with Shimmer3 range sensors), JavaScript API (for browser-based BLE streaming with Shimmer3R), C# API (including SD card data parsing and LabVIEW wrapper support), Java/Android API (used for Consensys and OEM partners via JSSC serial communication), MATLAB API (v3.0.0 with JSSC-based communication, supports Shimmer3R), and Python API (for LSL data conversion via script). The Swift API was released in pre-alpha in July 2024. Documentation and examples are available on Shimmer's GitHub page. Developer documentation is at github.com/ShimmerEngineering.
What industry is Shimmer in?
Shimmer's product category is Wearable Wireless Sensors. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRACAIAF, Health Monitoring Wearables (ECG, BP, SpO2, CGM-compatible), with a secondary code of CRACAQAH, Smart Fitness & Training Devices (Connected Fitness Sensors, Smart Jump Ropes, etc.). Its NAICS code is 334510 and its SIC code is 3841.