Oxa is a company that developed the first breathing wearable to provide an immersive and personalized consumer experience for better relaxation, anxiety management and sleep with clinical quality in a garment. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Oxa CEO and co-founder Vincent Martinez to learn more.
Vincent Martinez’s Background
Vincent Martinez, Ph.D., is the visionary leader behind Nanoleq and Oxa. With a background in material engineering and a Ph.D. in Bioelectronics, Martinez is pushing the boundaries of healthcare innovation. And his passion for exploring the human body and thirst for knowledge drove him to develop impactful products that enhance our understanding of ourselves.
As the driving force behind Nanoleq, Vincent oversees the company’s vision, strategy, and management. His ambition is to decentralize healthcare by providing accessible and immersive monitoring technology. With Oxa’s cutting-edge features, such as instant biofeedback, Martinez envisions a future where individuals have the tools to take control of their well-being.
Core Products
What are Oxa’s core products and features? Martinez said:
“Oxa is an innovative, wearable device revolutionizing stress and sleep management through instant biofeedback. It monitors the cardiorespiratory system, providing valuable insights into stress levels and sleep patterns, and offers actionable recommendations tailored to individual needs. Oxa empowers you to actively improve your stress and sleep management. Designed as a comfortable smart garment or belt, Oxa can be effortlessly worn throughout the day and night, ensuring optimal stress relief and better sleep. Its unique feature of delivering instant biofeedback enables you to take immediate and effective measures, fostering a holistic approach to enhance your overall well-being.”
Inspiration Behind The Creation Of Oxa
What was the inspiration that led to the creation of Oxa? Martinez shared:
“Breathing holds untapped potential for brain health and overall well-being, which often goes overlooked or underestimated. The core of our approach is the integration of breathwork and meditation techniques with data analysis. What sets us apart is our commitment to creating a more immersive and interactive experience compared to other wearables. We strive to provide a science and data-driven solution that goes beyond traditional meditation practices. By leveraging the power of breath and incorporating robust scientific insights, we offer a unique platform for enhancing mental well-being and achieving optimal results.”
Evolution Of Oxa’s Technology
How has Oxa’s technology evolved since launching? Martinez noted:
“We recently launched our product in February, marking an exciting milestone for the company. In terms of product development, we place significant emphasis on actionable features, particularly in the realm of sleep. Looking ahead, our focus is on expanding from individual breathing exercises to comprehensive programs consisting of a series of exercises. This strategic shift will enable us to provide dedicated outcomes and a more holistic approach to achieving optimal results for our users.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What separates Oxa from other health and wellness wearables? Martinez affirmed:
“Oxa stands alone as the pioneering technology offering instant biofeedback while delivering an unparalleled interactive experience. In contrast, other wearables typically aggregate data and merely track your health. Oxa takes a leap forward by providing real-time, instant data measurements that actively coach and influence your well-being. This distinctive feature sets Oxa apart, empowering users with immediate insights and guidance to make meaningful health improvements. Furthermore, Oxa will soon announce new features that will make the platform easier and more accessible, such as tracking and monitoring biometrics during sleep without Bluetooth signals. This is critical when using Oxa a lot in a given day; since health concerns regarding Bluetooth radiation exist and the long-term impact on health has not been thoroughly studied.”
Health Benefits From Enhanced Breathing Habits
Oxa is focused on improving a user’s breathing; what health benefits can arise from enhanced breathing habits? Martinez explained:
“Oxa triggers the activation of the parasympathetic activity within the autonomic nervous system, leading to remarkable benefits. A staggering 95% of users reported experiencing immediate stress reduction. Additionally, 90% of participants reported successfully achieving deep relaxation after just ten sessions. Oxa has also proven to significantly reduce the time it takes to fall asleep, with an average decrease of 13 minutes (-51%). Furthermore, users have experienced a remarkable 50% improvement in sleep quality, as measured by the Groningen sleep score. These impressive outcomes demonstrate the profound impact Oxa has on enhancing stress management and sleep quality.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of Oxa’s most significant milestones? Martinez noted:
“We have established internal production capabilities for manufacturing dry electrodes and stretchable wires, ensuring the highest quality standards. Furthermore, we have successfully scaled up to industrial production for smart garments, sensors, and other essential components. As a result, we are thrilled to announce the release of our product, which includes a comprehensive range of exercises designed to provide a holistic experience. Additionally, we have dedicated significant effort to enhancing the sleep preparation aspect of our offering, creating a truly immersive and transformative experience for our users.”
Customer Success Stories
Upon asking Martinez about customer success stories, he highlighted:
Customer 1: “This product has changed my life for the better! My job leaves me often stressed and overwhelmed, but since I’ve started using Oxa at work, specifically the 18 Coherent Breaths exercise, I’ve noticed the immense changes it has made to my mood and focus. It’s effortless, immersive, and audibly soothing. Additionally, the shirt seamlessly fits under my work clothes, which is an added bonus!”
Customer 2: “As an engineer and former football player, I’m always looking for ways to optimize my health and performance. That’s why I was intrigued when I learned about Oxa, a wearable connected T-shirt with sensors that measure various health metrics in real-time. I have been using Oxa for a few weeks now, and I have to say, I’m impressed with its capabilities. The T-shirt accurately measures my heart rate, heart rate variability, ECG, skin temperature, calmness index, and breathing depth. This data has been instrumental in helping me understand my body’s responses to different activities and stimuli, and I have been able to use it to optimize my workouts and recovery. One of the features that really sets Oxa apart is its breathing exercises. As a former football player, I know how important it is to control your breathing during high-pressure situations. Oxa’s breathing exercises have been helpful in reducing my stress levels, improving my focus, and even helping me fall asleep faster.”
Customer 3: “Since Oxa, I’ve noticeably reduced my stress levels. I fall asleep faster and get deeper sleep. I also feel an improvement in stopping my mind carousel.”
Customer 4: “As a former athlete, I am constantly looking for ways to enhance my recovery or even help me be in a more concentrated state of mind. Oxa made me aware of the positive impact of conscious breathing and active breathing exercises on my mental and physical performance.”
Target Audience
Who is the target audience for Oxa? Who can use it? Martinez replied:
“Our product is designed to cater to a diverse range of individuals, including those who struggle with stress, anxiety, and sleep issues. It also appeals to biohackers or tech-oriented individuals who are interested in optimizing their health and well-being through innovative technologies. Moreover, breathwork enthusiasts will find our product particularly engaging, as it provides a platform to explore and enhance their breathing practices. Whether you’re seeking stress relief, looking to optimize your performance, or simply passionate about breathwork, our product offers something valuable for everyone.”
Funding
The company recently secured a Series A funding of CHF €12.5 million, which will enable them to drive the industrialization process and successfully launch Oxa into new markets.
Total Addressable Market
What total addressable market (TAM) size is Oxa pursuing? Martinez assessed:
“According to the Rand Corporation, the detrimental effects of poor sleep and stress result in a significant economic impact, accounting for up to 2% to 3% of the global GDP through factors such as absenteeism, lost productivity, and accidents. This underscores the urgency and importance of addressing these issues. Based on our analysis, we estimate the total addressable market (TAM) for our solution to be approximately $10 billion, highlighting the substantial potential for our product to make a meaningful difference in improving sleep and reducing stress on a global scale.”
Overall Goals
What are your overall goals for Oxa? Martinez answered:
“Our vision is to establish ourselves as the gold standard in stress and sleep management. We actively collaborate with renowned stress clinics and professionals operating in high-stress fields to achieve this. We aspire to have our services recognized and reimbursed by insurance providers, ensuring accessibility for a wider audience. Furthermore, our focus extends beyond immediate benefits as we strive to establish a lasting connection between physical and mental health. By promoting this holistic approach, we aim to foster long-term well-being and contribute to a healthier society overall.”
Notable Partnerships
Who are some of the notable partners Oxa is working with? Martinez revealed:
“We have formed partnerships with leading Swiss clinics, select government entities, notable virtual reality companies, and respected performance apparel companies. While we are unable to disclose specific names at this time, these collaborations signify the breadth and depth of our network and the diverse sectors which recognize the value of our offerings. Rest assured, our partnerships encompass a wide range of esteemed organizations committed to advancing stress and sleep management.”
