Our mission

We are an award-winning, Enterprise Ireland-backed High Potential Start-up, established in 2021 from University College Cork. Our mission is to support the protection of newborn brain health, enabling clinicians with innovative AI-driven assessment tools. Our aim is to ensure every newborn has the best possible start in life.

Our mission

We are an award-winning, Enterprise Ireland-backed High Potential Start-up, established in 2021 from University College Cork. Our mission is to support the protection of newborn brain health, enabling clinicians with innovative AI-driven assessment tools. Our aim is to ensure every newborn has the best possible start in life.

Our mission

We are an award-winning, Enterprise Ireland-backed High Potential Start-up, established in 2021 from University College Cork. Our mission is to support the protection of newborn brain health, enabling clinicians with innovative AI-driven assessment tools. Our aim is to ensure every newborn has the best possible start in life.

Our mission

We are an award-winning, Enterprise Ireland-backed High Potential Start-up, established in 2021 from University College Cork. Our mission is to support the protection of newborn brain health, enabling clinicians with innovative AI-driven assessment tools. Our aim is to ensure every newborn has the best possible start in life.

Our mission

We are an award-winning, Enterprise Ireland-backed High Potential Start-up, established in 2021 from University College Cork. Our mission is to support the protection of newborn brain health, enabling clinicians with innovative AI-driven assessment tools. Our aim is to ensure every newborn has the best possible start in life.

Our story so far… 

Our story so far… 

Our story so far… 

Our story so far… 

Built from decades of neonatal research by the INFANT Research Centre.

Professor Geraldine Boylan is a leading voice in clinical neurophysiology and, since 1996, has worked exclusively in the field of neonatal neurophysiology. She serves as Director of the INFANT Research Centre at UCC, which was established in 2013 under Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) for the purpose of maternal and child health research. Having conceived the initial concept for a spin-out, Professor Boylan, together with co-founders Jason Mowles and Sean Griffin, collaborated with UCC Innovation who guided them through the UCC Spin-out procedure. This culminated in the granting of an exclusive licence for its 'NEObase' database rights in 2021.

NEObase is the world's most extensive repository of meticulously curated newborn EEG recordings. A rigorous due diligence process was conducted to verify the presence of all necessary components, including ethics approvals, patient consent forms, and server security, to facilitate the smooth transition of data to CergenX.

Every undiagnosed neonatal brain injury represents a world of potential and dreams left uncharted.

In 2021, Sean Griffin, former CTO of Cork-based communication software company Poppulo, assumed the role of CTO of CergenX, while Jason Mowles, previously a Finance Director at Bank of Ireland, became our CEO. Dr John O'Toole, a Research Fellow and Investigator at the INFANT Research Centre in Cork University Hospital, and Dr Robert Hogan head up our AI team.

Our team is constantly advancing, and we're poised for a future filled with promise and scientific advancement. 

Which leads us to where we are now… 

With a team of 14 members spread across Cork, Dublin, and Europe, we have plans to grow steadily over the next 18 months. We successfully secured €800,000 in seed funding in early 2022, and an additional €1.2 million in summer 2023. In November 2023, the CergenX lead consortium was one of 12 new projects awarded funding worth €6.7 million under the Disruptive Technology and Innovation Fund (DTIF).

Our story is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of little ones and their families.
The name "CergenX" draws inspiration from the Latin word "cerebrum," signifying the brain. The addition of "gen" represents our commitment to innovation. We chose the name 'Wave' for our medical device to symbolize the meticulous capturing and analysis of brain waves. The term reflects smooth and continuous operation, mirroring the device's capability for real-time, seamless EEG monitoring. Additionally, 'Wave' conveys a spirit of advancement, a nod to this new wave of technology and positions our device as a pioneering force in the field of neonatal protection.

To follow the next chapters of our story, follow our LinkedIn page.

The CergenX team

Bridging the gap between research and commercial application, our team is a dynamic fusion of expertise from academia to industry, encompassing neurophysiology, medicine, technology, and product innovation. This unique combination of skills and experience is what drives our pursuit of excellence in neonatal care, setting new benchmarks in healthcare technology.

Our commitment is not just to technology, but to the promise of a healthier tomorrow for every newborn.

Our commitment is not just to technology, but to the promise of a healthier tomorrow for every newborn.

Our commitment is not just to technology, but to the promise of a healthier tomorrow for every newborn.

Our commitment is not just to technology, but to the promise of a healthier tomorrow for every newborn.

Our commitment is not just to technology, but to the promise of a healthier tomorrow for every newborn.

Leadership team

Co-founder and CEO, Jason Mowles has over 25 years of banking, finance and change management experience. As a former Finance Director of Bank of Ireland's Transformation and Change Division, he spearheaded the strategic financial and commercial aspects of their €1.5bn digital transformation programme. Jason is also an experienced change leader, having managed change divisions in banks and third-party outsourcers, including Bank of Scotland Ireland and Certus. Known for his strong track record of building and leading high-performing teams to deliver in challenging and fluid environments, Jason brings strong leadership to the dynamic world of a MedTech start-up. Jason has raised over €7m in funding for Cergenx from investors and grant funding.

Jason Mowles

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Scientific Officer and Co-founder, Professor Geraldine Boylan is also the Founder and Director of the INFANT Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research at University College Cork and a leading Professor of Neonatal Physiology. In 2023, she was awarded the Tom Connor Distinguished Investigator Award from Neuroscience Ireland at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland. Geraldine has over 25 years of experience in human physiological signal measurement and analysis, particularly neonatal electroencephalography. She has published hundreds of peer-reviewed journal papers and book chapters on this subject.

Prof. Geraldine Boylan

Chief Scientific Officer

Co-founder and CTO Sean Griffin, an accomplished Irish tech entrepreneur, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team. Before founding CergenX, he served as the CTO of Poppulo, a leading internal communication software provider, for 14 years. Sean played a pivotal role in the growth of Poppulo, contributing to its expansion from 20 to nearly 300 staff. His extensive 35 years of experience in designing and delivering large-scale enterprise SaaS solutions spans various industries, including communications and content management systems for global enterprises.

Sean Griffin

Chief Technical Officer

Our team

Robert has been applying cutting-edge AI technologies to diverse modalities (computer vision, natural language, customer behaviour, time series, etc.) in a variety of application industries (cosmology research, insurance tech, fashion, e-commerce, and communications) for the past decade. In addition to research and innovation in these areas, he has a proven track record of building AI products that go to market. Before working in AI, he earned his PhD in Theoretical Physics from King’s College London.

Dr Robert Hogan

Director of AI

Dr John O'Toole is a biomedical engineer with over 17 years experience in developing signal-processing and machine-learning methods for newborn neuromonitoring technologies. He was a Research Fellow and Investigator from 2013 to 2022 at INFANT Research Centre, University College Cork, Ireland. During this time, he led a team of biomedical engineers on applications of data science and AI to detect and grade brain injury in preterm and term newborns using EEG and other physiological signals. John now heads up CergenX’s AI team, leveraging his unique expertise and vision.

Dr John O'Toole

Head of AI Research

Finola is a seasoned product and technology leader, bringing over 25 years of expertise in steering complex product strategies and fostering innovative team cultures. Her diverse career, grounded in Computer Engineering and Health Informatics, has seen her at the forefront of product development in various sectors, including enterprise SaaS, media streaming, and telecommunications. Her professional path features significant roles at industry leaders like Dell and Poppulo, complemented by her strategic involvement in advancing numerous startups and critical projects in the governmental sector. Finola has consistently delivered impactful solutions to Fortune 500 companies, marrying technical savvy with a deep understanding of market dynamics and customer needs.

Finola Bradley

Head of Product

Bernard has extensive experience in managing the regulatory framework for information security and quality management systems and is leading the implementation and operation of CergenX’s ISO 13485-compliant quality management system. With over 30 years experience in Engineering, Project Management, Operations Management, Facilities and Regulatory roles, he has previously worked with technology companies such as Apple, Qumas, Globetech and Poppulo. Bernard is an engineering graduate from CIT Cork and a graduate in business management from Henley Business School.

Bernard Kelleher

Head of Operations

With a strong academic foundation encompassing a BSc in Computer Science from UCC and an MSc in Computer Games Technology from the University of Abertay Dundee, coupled with over 16 years of experience in software development, Paul is a seasoned expert in the field. Before joining CergenX, he was instrumental in designing, developing, and successfully launching a mobile employee communications platform for iOS and Android in an impressive six-month timeframe. Paul has consistently demonstrated leadership acumen, guiding software teams through the creation of intricate and scalable solutions.

Paul Doherty

Software Development Manager

As the Head of Systems at CergenX, Stefan brings two decades of expertise in system engineering, high-availability architectures, networking, and full-stack development. He boasts a rich background in designing, implementing, and developing services spanning hundreds of servers across numerous data centres worldwide, including those overseas, in Europe, and on the Cloud. Before his role at CergenX, Stefan owned and managed a company in the Czech Republic, delivering comprehensive systems, networks, and security solutions to several global organisations.

Stefan Moravcik

Head of Systems & Infrastructure

With over 20 years of experience in software development, Luca holds a degree in Mathematical Economics from the Faculty of Economic Cybernetics, Statistics, and Informatics at the Academy of Economic Studies (ASE) in Bucharest. Within the dynamic environment of CergenX, Luca is actively involved in preparing data for AI training and validation, demonstrating expertise in managing crucial backend services.

Luca Aurel

Software Engineer

With a keen eye for detail and a passion for creating seamless user experiences, Dan brings five years of dedicated UX and product design experience to CergenX. Dan's expertise has been honed through practical application, notably during his tenure at tech company Poppulo, where he contributed significantly to several milestone releases, including an integrations self-service platform and major mobile app features. His hands-on experience is complemented by a BSc in Design Ergonomics from Loughborough University.

Dan Sweeney

Product Designer

MedTech entrepreneur, Jim serves as a Medical Device Advisor and Consultant at CergenX, specialising in the nuanced commercial aspects of EEG, neonatal neuroprotection, route-to-market strategies, business development, innovation, and training. As the Founder of Incereb, Jim was behind the development of the groundbreaking NEON EEG electrode array designed for neonatal EEG monitoring. Jim's multifaceted role at CergenX underscores his dedication to driving impactful and innovative solutions within the MedTech landscape.

Jim Roche

Advisor

Oscar is a graduate student at the University of Notre Dame in the United States, where he is currently completing his Master of Science in Engineering, Science, and Technology Entrepreneurship (ESTEEM). He recently graduated from University College Dublin with a first-class honours degree in Pharmacology, coming top of his class. While studying at UCD, he developed a particular interest in neuropharmacology and gained experience working with Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, a US-based clinical-stage pharmaceutical focused on neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions. Oscar is currently working with CergenX as part of the ESTEEM program, focusing on developing the commercialisation and Go-To-Market strategy for the US market.

Oscar Gleeson

ESTEEM Graduate Student

Since 2017, Sean has been working as a Research Support Officer at the INFANT Research Centre at University College Cork, contributing to various EEG-based projects. After completing a BSc in Biology in Bath and an MSc in Neuroscience at UCL, Sean spent eight years training and working as a Clinical Physiologist in the EEG department at Great Ormond Street Hospital. He then worked at UCLH in London as a research associate to recruit and record EEG on neonates at risk of seizures for the ANSeR study to test an automated seizure detection algorithm for neonatal EEG. During this time, he studied for a PhD, which involved analysis of various aspects of the performance of the ANSeR algorithm.

Dr Sean Mathieson

Clinical Physiologist

With a B.Sc (Hons) in Neurophysiology from Oporto-Portugal, Soraia obtained a diversified clinical experience in Neurophysiology through her traineeships in Portuguese reference hospitals such as Centro Hospitalar Universitáro de Santo António and, at King’s College in London. Soraia spent eight years working at Cork University Hospital, firstly as a clinical physiologist in neurophysiology and later as a research assistant, acquiring and monitoring neonatal seizures. She is a PhD candidate at INFANT Research Centre and University College Cork.

Soraia Ventura

Clinical Physiologist