Our Get Started programme, which helps first-time entrepreneurs move from idea to actual business in 10 weeks, has seen more than 150 entrepreneurs launch their venture. This post is part of an ongoing series where we profile the many different kinds of entrepreneurs that have been part of the programme, how they came up with their ideas and what they learned. Anxious to get started yourself? Check out www.getstarted.nl

Name Yayoi Sakaki

Background Classical pianist

Lives in New York, USA

Startup Project Ipsilon

Yayoi, you came here all the way from New York to participate in the Get Started programme. Why did you want to do a programme in Rotterdam?

We have been working on Project Ipsilon for a few years when we finally felt ready to participate in an incubator. Yet all incubators we have applied in the U.S. didn’t accept us because we were very early stage of startup company, virtually having no credibility. We did some research and found the Get Started programme. You were one of the only programmes that focussed on very early stage ventures and accepted us! I have been enjoying being here every other week since the start.

It’s a pleasure to have you here! Can you tell us more about Project Ipsilon?

I’m a classical pianist and have been teaching piano for over 15 years. Through my experience, musical activities reveal a lot about cognitive skills and the person – personality, work ethic, memory function, visual and motor attention among others. Most of the experienced piano teachers can tell if there is anything “off” about the student in about 2 lessons. Personally, I am a total nerd when it comes to neurology and how the mind works. After taking multiple neurology related online courses and studying countless medical research papers, I started to modify piano playing mechanism as a quantifiable clinical measurement to detect and monitor neurological conditions such as dementia, ADHD and possibly Parkinson’s Disease.

We are currently seeking clinical testing opportunities with our prototype, which is a wearable that has an eye tracking mechanism and analyzes eye movements against user’s motor response.  We use musical notation as spatial and motor instruction.  We offer a reliable, easy to use and cost effective cognitive assessment and monitoring system in comparison to some of the medical imaging used for the same purpose, primarily, at large hospitals.

In what stage are you now?

We have just participated in another incubator in Pisa which had a strong emphasis on product development. It helped us to come up with our current prototype. Besides, we have passed the initial screening for the grant application for conducting clinical testing with our system on Parkinson disease. 

Last but not least, we have been invited for pitching at MedTech-Bootcamp in Munich in mid-September and we are currently aggressively working on multiple grant applications for the system validation tests and biofeedback data collection.

Was there any point when you needed to pivot your ideas?

We initially started with music reading training targeted for ADHD students.  So, yes, it has been quite a change of course. Our strategist flipped when I first told him about my intention to overhaul our product towards a more clinical approach. With enough evidence and explanations, I was able to convince him. In fact, ADHD shares some similarities with Parkinson’s – they are both associated with dopaminergic dysfunction, having motor and cognitive issues.

What will you remember the most from the Get Started programme?

That everyone is so eager to help you. I have received many practical tips ready to be applied in our daily operations. It also offers a harmonious and nurturing environment where you feel like you are given great support while being able to stay competitive.

What is your advice for others who want to start their own startup?

Go with your passion and enjoy the ride!

For more information about Project Ipsilon, see http://www.projectipsilon.com/

Are you ready to launch your startup?! Applications for the new batch of our Get Started programme close on September 11! Apply now via www.getstarted.nl