Liimtec: the startup putting first aid in your pocket

The Liimtec team. Photograph: Liimtec

 

  • Company Name: Liimtec GmbH
  • Location: Graz, Austria
  • Age of business: Two years
  • ODINE funding: €97,000

What does Liimtec do?

Liimtec is developing PocketDefi, a public access defibrillator or AED (automatic external defibrillator). PocketDefi is small, affordable and provides a unique user experience by being monitored and serviced through a mobile network. With PocketDefi, first aiders can react immediately in case of emergency, and defibrillation can become widely available.

How did Liimtec start?

Liimtec was founded by Jasper Ettema, with the rest of the team hired subsequently.

Where did the business idea come from?

Our founder visited a first aid course and was taught to use a defibrillator. Although these devices are called lay-defibrillators he, as a lay-person didn’t understand how to use it immediately. There he got to think about how one could improve lay-defibrillators to meet modern consumer requirements, and what benefits this could have. Two years later, we are well on the way to bringing the smallest and most consumer friendly lay-defibrillator to market.

Are you working with any other partners?

For development of hardware, we receive funding from the Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG. Additionally we’re working with several partners, including the Graz University of Technology and the Austrian Red Cross.

How has ODINE helped you so far?

Within ODINE, we were able to develop some important features of the software. Among them is a proximity alert, which allows bystanders to call the nearest owner of PocketDefi to the rescue.

What advice would you give to other companies pitching to ODINE?

Give it your very best shot, because once you’re through, the programme really helps to get things on track.

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