Avionova won $24,980 in prize funding and services at the Dublin Pitch competition on Oct. 15 at COhatch Dublin as the company scales product development and prepares customer pilots. CEO Noor Haj-Tamim said the award arrives while the startup is raising a $1 million pre-seed round, passive-cooling earbuds enter early manufacturing and maritime evaluations are next. The company is also preparing an expanded controlled study with Reykjavik University following initial human feasibility testing in Iceland.
Ear-cooling technology and product lines
Avionova is developing an ear-cooling approach to address motion sickness and vestibular discomfort without drugs. Haj-Tamim described the vestibular system in the inner ear as a balance and orientation system that has remained unchanged even as cars, ships, aircraft and virtual reality changed human environments. The company has two product lines: Asterra, a passive-cooling earbud intended to support comfort where motion and everyday balance challenges interfere with daily activities, and Gravitone, an investigational device using active temperature control being developed with the intention of pursuing clinical applications in vestibular healthcare.
Maritime pilots, manufacturing and research milestones
Avionova’s immediate commercial focus is the maritime industry, targeting seafarers and offshore personnel who must remain alert in motion-intensive environments. The passive-cooling earbuds are entering early manufacturing and commercial field evaluations, while the active device remains in research and development. The company is coordinating business-to-business pilots across expedition operations, offshore services and maritime healthcare, with signed agreements and additional programs in development.
The $24,980 prize will support product development, manufacturing refinement and preparation for those evaluations, Haj-Tamim said, and the startup lists completing maritime evaluations, refining manufacturing and advancing controlled research toward a future medical-device regulatory pathway as next milestones. Avionova completed initial human feasibility testing in Iceland and is preparing an expanded controlled study with Reykjavik University.
Haj-Tamim said the judges responded to how relatable the problem is: “Nearly everyone I’ve spoken with has either experienced some form of balance dysfunction themselves or knows someone who has.” She also said the company plans to grow its team across clinical development and commercial operations as it raises the $1 million pre-seed round. Born and raised in Ohio, Haj-Tamim credited Techstars Columbus Powered by Ohio State, JumpStart Trailblazer and individual mentors with supporting the company and added, “I think there’s something really exciting about demonstrating that technologies with applications in medicine, aviation, and even space can be developed and commercialized right here in Ohio.”
