Neupulse Featured in National ‘Unis Start Up The UK’ Campaign for Driving Innovation in Medtech

Neupulse has been featured in a new national campaign called ‘Unis Start Up The UK’, a Universities UK initiative highlighting the economic and social impact of university-supported start-ups across the country.

A Surge in Innovation at the University of Nottingham

Recent data shows a remarkable rise in spin-out activity at the University of Nottingham, with 29 companies launched between 2015 and 2025—more than triple the number from the previous decade. This growth showcases the university’s expanding role as a hub of innovation, supporting the development of technologies that address real-world problems in health, sustainability and digital industries.

The university's support system includes Nottingham Technology Ventures (NTV), which helps researchers transform academic ideas into market-ready businesses. With nearly 40 spin-outs in its active portfolio, NTV plays a central role in nurturing early-stage companies with promising technologies—including Neupulse.

Pioneering Non-Invasive Therapy for Tourette Syndrome

The technology behind Neupulse is rooted in research from the University of Nottingham’s School of Psychology and School of Medicine, where scientists discovered that rhythmic median nerve stimulation (MNS) at the wrist could alter brain activity associated with involuntary movements. Clinical trials have shown that this stimulation significantly reduces tic frequency, intensity and the urge-to-tic in individuals with TS.

Under the leadership of CEO Paul Cable, who helped spin the company out in 2021, Neupulse has gained support from both the university and private investors. The company has made significant strides toward market readiness and was recently highlighted in NICE’s draft guidance, which for the first time recommended digital therapies for conditions like TS—signalling a major step forward in treatment accessibility.

National Recognition and Campaign Involvement

Neupulse’s inclusion in the ‘Unis Start Up The UK’ campaign aligns with a broader national narrative: that universities are not only centres of learning, but also powerful engines for economic growth and innovation. The campaign, launched by Universities UK (UUK), celebrates the thousands of companies born from higher education institutions that contribute to jobs, investment and research-led solutions.

According to national data, universities have helped create nearly 39,000 companies since 2015, with student start-up turnover rising by 757% and total employment from these businesses exceeding 64,000 jobs in 2022-23 alone.

Vivienne Stern MBE, Chief Executive of UUK, emphasized the importance of supporting university enterprise: 

“The growth in university-supported start-ups over the last decade has been a staggering success. We can do more – both to encourage and support new businesses born in our universities and to ensure that they can remain in the UK and grow here.”

Nottingham’s Broader Start-Up Ecosystem

Beyond Neupulse, the University of Nottingham continues to foster entrepreneurship through initiatives like the Ingenuity Lab, which provides space, mentorship and funding to student and alumni entrepreneurs. Since its inception, the lab has supported the creation of 489 new ventures, with a focus on addressing social and environmental challenges.  

Additionally, Nottingham ranks second in the UK for turnover generated by student start-ups, which brought in over £400 million in 2022/23 alone. This vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem positions the university as a national leader in transforming academic knowledge into societal impact.

 Looking Forward

As Neupulse continues to develop its wearable technology for real-world use, its story stands as a powerful example of what university spin-outs can achieve with the right support, vision and scientific foundation. With plans to bring its first product to market by early 2026, Neupulse represents not only a beacon of innovation in medtech, but also a source of hope for individuals living with Tourette Syndrome and related neurological conditions.

The recognition from ‘Unis Start Up The UK’ aligns with Neupulse's core mission: to turn cutting-edge research into practical tools that change lives.

Read the full article here at The University of Nottingham website.