WearTech Applied Research Center

What WearTech Applied Research Center does

WearTech Applied Research Center is a Phoenix-based nonprofit applied research accelerator founded in 2019 by the Partnership for Economic Innovation (PEI) to commercialize wearable health and human performance technology in Arizona. The center connects entrepreneurs, startups, and hospital systems with principal investigators and clinical resources at Arizona State University, University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University, running annual project cohorts that move innovations from idea generation through validation toward FDA approval and commercialization. Its facility at Park Central in Phoenix's 30-acre downtown bioscience district houses an engineering and prototyping lab, conference and coworking space, and a first-of-its-kind exoskeleton test bed.

WearTech's portfolio spans a wide range of wearable technologies rather than a single product, including AI-powered voice-first continuous-care platforms (Prickly Pear Health), cardiac and arrhythmia monitoring systems (UnityCare AI, CHAPERONE/Aventyn), senior fall detection sensors (Hiji Sense, MiiCube Mini), wearable ultrasound neuromodulation for migraine (CranioCalm), AI-guided deep brain stimulation programming (Cortalis Neuro), medication adherence devices (ScripGuard), quasi-active industrial exoskeletons (PhenEx, APEx, SPARKe), haptic VR rehabilitation gloves (HR Haptic Gloves), breath acetone biosensors (Breezing), and emerging sustainability technologies (Teal battery management, Purity ReSource semiconductor solutions). Technical differentiators include multi-sensor vital-sign fusion, RF-based activity tracking paired with ECG, radar and acoustic gait analysis, and scalp-EEG-guided DBS programming.

The center operates on a matching-grant model: the Arizona Commerce Authority distributes state appropriations (cumulative disclosed totals of $1.6M in 2022, $3M in FY23, $2.5M in FY24, and $4.2M in March 2025), which are dollar-for-dollar matched by private-sector partner commitments. Project partners must invest at least half of research budgets. WearTech does not charge commercial fees and derives operational funding from PEI and public grants rather than product sales. Customer segments include healthcare providers and hospital systems (Banner Health, Barrow Neurological Institute, HonorHealth), medtech startups and entrepreneurs, Arizona research universities, and — increasingly — industrial employers. Distribution and commercialization of end products are handled by the participating startups, not by WearTech itself.

Name

WearTech Applied Research Center

Legal name

WearTech Applied Research Center

Website

https://azweartech.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

WearTech Applied Research Center is a Phoenix-based nonprofit applied research accelerator that connects entrepreneurs, healthcare systems, and industrial employers with Arizona university researchers to commercialize wearable health, human-performance, and emerging sustainability technologies via state-matched project cohorts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Applied Research Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Technology Transfer & Innovation-Driven Research Universities (High Commercialization) (EDAHABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical Universities with Strong Industry Partnerships (EDAHAEAG), Clinical Research Support (CRC/CTA) (EDAOAJAO)

Keywords

• Wearable health research
• Applied research acceleration
• Medical device development
• Biomedical commercialization
• Healthcare technology innovation

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Applied Research Services and Project Facilitation: WearTech Center operates as a funded applied research center. Projects must have a company or entrepreneurial partner invest at least half of the research budget. The center connects companies to university research teams and public funding (Arizona Commerce Authority state matching grants). WearTech does not charge commercial fees directly; it derives its operations funding from Partnership for Economic Innovation and public grants. Revenue flows are via state matching funds ($250,000 per project maximum) matched by private investment.
2. State Funding and Matching Grants: The Arizona Legislature appropriates state matching funds (e.g., $3M in FY23, $2.5M in FY24) distributed by the Arizona Commerce Authority to applied research centers including WearTech. Funds are dollar-for-dollar matched by private-sector committed funding. Funds cover direct research costs: researcher salaries, equipment, lab access, supplies, prototyping, clinical validation and testing.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

WearTech Applied Research Center is a Phoenix-based applied research accelerator that connects entrepreneurs and companies seeking to commercialize emerging wearable healthcare and human performance technology with world-class university research teams. The center forms annual cohorts of applied research projects, providing engineering and prototyping lab access, structured research acceleration, and ecosystem support, while leveraging state matching grants from the Arizona Commerce Authority (up to $250,000 per project) combined with dollar-for-dollar private investment from industry partners to bridge the valley-of-death gap between lab innovation and FDA approval / commercialization.

Product overview

WearTech Applied Research Center is an applied research accelerator that connects entrepreneurs and companies with world-class research teams to commercialize emerging healthcare technology. Rather than operating a single unified product, WearTech supports a portfolio of distinct wearable health technology projects across multiple companies, including AI-powered continuous care platforms (Prickly Pear Health), biosensor wearables (Hiji Sense, UnityCare AI, CHAPERONE), neuromodulation devices (CranioCalm), smart home health systems (MiiCube Mini), medication management devices (ScripGuard), exoskeletons (SPARKe, PhenEx), and VR rehabilitation tools (HR Haptic Gloves). These projects span applications in fall prevention, cardiac/mental health monitoring, migraine treatment, metabolic health, medication adherence, workplace safety, and stroke rehabilitation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Applied Research Project Facilitation Structured cohort-based applied research facilitation that connects companies and entrepreneurs with Arizona's university principal investigators and clinical partners. Each project moves through idea generation, project formation, validation, and commercialization phases, requiring at least half of the research budget to be invested by the participating company or entrepreneur.
• Engineering and Prototyping Lab Access On-site engineering and prototyping laboratory at the Park Central Phoenix headquarters, available to research project teams for device fabrication, prototyping, and validation of wearable health and human performance technologies.
• Conference and Coworking Space Conference and coworking space at the Phoenix headquarters for use by research project teams, partners, and ecosystem collaborators, supporting ideation meetings, demo days, and project team coordination.
• State Matching Grant Program Administration Administration of Arizona Commerce Authority state matching funds for applied research projects, with up to $250,000 per project in state matching funds requiring dollar-for-dollar private-sector committed funding match. WearTech shepherded the projects through the funding cycle on behalf of project teams.
• Exoskeleton Test Bed First-of-its-kind exoskeleton test bed hosted by WearTech for industry partners, supporting testing protocols and applied research for workplace safety wearable robotics in collaboration with GoX Labs, AKE, and ASU researchers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 360% growth in total research funding compared to 2019 after the 2022 ACA award
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability11 records

Feature11 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ASU Ira Fulton Schools of EngineeringcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArizona State University's Ira Fulton Schools of Engineering is a primary research partner for WearTech. The center collaborates with ASU researchers on multiple projects including Cortalis Neuro (Mayo Clinic Arizona with ASU), UnityCare AI (with ASU), MiiCare (ASU School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks), Prickly Pear Health (ASU Precision Health), and Exoskeleton Development (Thomas Sugar, PhD). Greg Raupp, Research Director of WearTech, is Foundation Professor and Director of Partnerships & Innovation at ASU Ira Fulton Schools of Engineering.
• University of ArizonacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Arizona is a key research university partner for WearTech. The center collaborates with the UA's Biomedical Engineering department (noted in Senphonix project), College of Medicine - Phoenix, and the Center to Streaming Healthcare in Place (C2SHIP) for UnityCare AI project. Principal investigators from UA contribute to multiple wearable technology research projects.
• Northern Arizona UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthern Arizona University partners with WearTech on research projects. Notable collaboration includes Biomotum's SPARKe wearable smart footwear exoskeleton project, which is developed with Northern Arizona University under Principal Investigator Zach Lerner for product development and testing.
• Center for Entrepreneurial InnovationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCenter for Entrepreneurial Innovation (CEI) is part of WearTech's ecosystem partner network. CEI offers award-winning business incubation, startup resources, and workforce development training. CEI Spring 2021 Programs provide additional startup support resources available to WearTech ecosystem participants.
• Greater Phoenix Economic CouncilminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGreater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) collaborates with WearTech as part of Arizona's innovation ecosystem. GPEC works to attract and grow business in the Greater Phoenix region, supporting WearTech's mission to establish Arizona as a leader in wearable technology.
• Banner HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBanner Health is a major Arizona health system and WearTech ecosystem partner. Steve Lindsey, Director of Innovation Partnerships at Banner Health, serves on WearTech's Advisory Board. Banner Health participates in healthcare venture collaborative meetings to identify potential applied research projects addressing challenges within the healthcare delivery system.
• Barrow Neurological InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBarrow Neurological Institute is a key healthcare partner in WearTech's ecosystem. Michael Lawton, President & CEO of Barrow Neurological Institute, serves on WearTech's Advisory Board and has stated that WearTech provides 'that landing place for entrepreneurs and innovators to really get their start.'
• Flinn FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlinn Foundation supports WearTech's bioscience research ecosystem. Mary O'Reilly, VP of Biosciences Research Programs at Flinn Foundation, serves on WearTech's Advisory Board. The Flinn Foundation organized the 2024 Bioscience Roadmap Progress Report Panel which highlighted WearTech's role in MedTech commercialization.
• MedTech VenturesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedTech Ventures is listed as a WearTech ecosystem partner, providing medtech-specific expertise and connections to the wearable technology innovation ecosystem in Arizona.
• Startup AZ FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStartup AZ Foundation is a WearTech ecosystem partner supporting Arizona's startup ecosystem and connecting entrepreneurs to wearable technology innovation opportunities through the center.
• GoX LabscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoX Labs is a leading Arizona wearable robotics company and key WearTech project partner. Through WearTech, GoX Labs collaborated with ASU (Thomas Sugar, PhD) and AKE to develop the PhenEx quasi-active exoskeleton for workplace safety and the APEx (Aerial Porters Exoskeleton). WearTech provided applied research and testing for product development. The center also hosts a first-of-its-kind exoskeleton test bed for industry.
• AKEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAKE is an Arizona-based wearable device company collaborating with GoX Labs and ASU through WearTech on the PhenEx quasi-active exoskeleton project. AKE's exoskeleton technology product development follows the WearTech applied research model.
• HexoskinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHexoskin (Carré Technologies Inc., Montreal) is a WearTech Advisory Board member represented by CEO Pierre-Alexandre Fournier. Hexoskin provides expertise in clinical-grade wearable sensors and AI software for health monitoring, including smart clothing compatible with iPhones and remote health monitoring systems for astronauts on the International Space Station.
• The TouchPoint SolutionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe TouchPoint Solution (Vicki Mayo, CEO) is a WearTech ecosystem company that developed TouchPoints — a wearable stress relief device using alternating vibrations. WearTech assisted with clinical validation and production of the device. TouchPoints achieved 74% stress reduction within 30 seconds per clinical data.
• Aventyn, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAventyn, Inc. (Navin Govind, Founder & CEO) is a WearTech Advisory Board member and project partner. Aventyn delivers secure clinically validated virtual care cloud solutions. The CHAPERONE project (Cardiometabolic Health Management) is conducted with Aventyn, ASU, and University of Arizona, with Kris Vijay MD and Michael Castro MD as principal investigators.
• Ashley Chloe Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAshley Chloe Inc. (Angela Pan, Founder & CEO) is a WearTech Advisory Board member. Angela Pan is a serial entrepreneur with expertise in wearables, IoT, biotech, and fashion tech, achieving over $100 million in combined sales revenue. She brings expertise in technology commercialization, manufacturing, supply chain, and corporate development.
• ChassiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChassi (Brad Jannenga, Founder & Executive Chairman) is represented on WearTech's Advisory Board. Brad Jannenga is also a Board Member of PEI and WearTech, and previously co-founded WebPT and grew it to Series B. Brad noted that WearTech's projects represent technologies establishing Arizona as a leader in wearable technology.
• HonorHealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHonorHealth (Dr. Kiran Avancha, Chief Innovation Officer) is a WearTech Advisory Board member. Dr. Avancha is a healthcare and biotech entrepreneur and investor, and recently co-founded Prizm Therapeutics, a pediatric rare disease company. HonorHealth Research Institute grew 3-fold in revenues under his direction.
• W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerW. L. Gore & Associates (Stuart Broyles, Digital Health Leader) serves on WearTech's Advisory Board. Stuart Broyles brings expertise in new product and new business development for Gore's Medical Products Division, contributing medical device and healthcare technology commercialization experience.
• Medtronic, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedtronic, Inc. (Randal Schulhauser, Sr. Manager of Technology & Business Development) serves on WearTech's Advisory Board. Randal holds four patents with six more filed at the US Patent Office and brings expertise in cardiovascular technology and medical device business development.
• UC IrvineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUC Irvine (Michelle Khine, Professor of Biomedical Engineering) serves on WearTech's Advisory Board. Professor Khine is a renowned researcher in biomedical engineering with experience spinning out companies including Fluxion Biosciences and Shrink Nanotechnologies Inc. from her academic labs.
• Grand Canyon UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrand Canyon University (Jeff La Belle, Professor of Biomedical Engineering) serves on WearTech's Advisory Board. Prof. La Belle works with students on medical device design, prototyping, fabrication, and commercialization, contributing to the talent pipeline and research capacity of the WearTech ecosystem.
• City of PhoenixminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCity of Phoenix is listed as a WearTech ecosystem partner. The city supports the growth of Arizona's biomedical and wearable technology sector through economic development initiatives, complementing WearTech's location in Phoenix's biomedical district.
• Remedy Medical ManufacturingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPhoenix-based Remedy Medical Manufacturing collaborated with WearTech to finalize the design and prepare for mass production of Senphonix's SleeveSense wearable vitals monitor in preparation for its planned 2027 commercial launch.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Skysong Innovations: ASU's technology transfer and venture office, sharing a direct relationship with the same research university that anchors WearTech's project pipeline. Both translate Arizona university IP into commercial outcomes and operate as the primary commercialization pathway for ASU-born technologies.
• University City Science Center: Philadelphia-based nonprofit research and commercialization hub that provides lab infrastructure, partnerships with regional universities and health systems, and venture-building support to healthtech startups. Operates a structurally similar 'incubator + applied research' model to WearTech but in the Northeast.
• Texas Medical Center Innovation: TMC's innovation division accelerates healthcare startups through corporate partners, hospital validation partners, and university collaborators in Houston. Directly comparable as a medical-device-focused accelerator anchored by hospital systems, university research teams, and a state-funded operating model.
• Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center (M2D2): UMass Lowell-based center partnering with UMass Medical School to support medical device startups with engineering, prototyping, and clinical pathway support. Operates a near-identical 'research-and-industry co-development with clinical access' model focused on medical device entrepreneurs.
• Center for Innovative Technology (CIT): Virginia's nonprofit applied research and commercialization group that connects entrepreneurs with university research teams and state funding programs. Structurally analogous in funding structure, mission, and 'public-private applied research facilitation' positioning.
• JumpStart Health: Cleveland-based healthtech venture development organization (formerly BioEnterprise) that combines university research access, health system partnerships, and capital to commercialize medical devices. Highly comparable in mission and structural approach to WearTech's applied research and commercialization support.

Broad incumbents

• Mayo Clinic Ventures: Established tech transfer and venture arm of Mayo Clinic, with significantly larger scale and longer commercialization history. Provides a national-level benchmark for how a healthcare-system-anchored tech-transfer office operates, although Mayo's portfolio breadth is much wider than WearTech's wearable-health focus.
• Southwest Research Institute (SwRI): Large independent, nonprofit applied research organization headquartered in San Antonio with broad engineering, biomedical, and physical sciences capabilities. Comparable as a nonprofit applied research center running contract research across diverse industries, but at vastly greater scale and breadth.
• SRI International: Independent nonprofit R&D organization with deep biomedical engineering and medical device portfolios, including wearables and biosensors. Comparable to WearTech as a nonprofit commercial R&D institution, but at a national and global scale spanning many industries.

Others

• Flinn Foundation: Phoenix-based private foundation funding Arizona bioscience research and serving on WearTech's advisory board. Adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a peer — promotes Arizona bioscience via grants and research programs that complement (rather than compete with) WearTech's applied research model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC36de3ihI5t6RScvJFDwctA

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments3 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about WearTech Applied Research Center