NightBalance

About NightBalance

NightBalance, founded in 2009 by Eline Vrijland-van Beest as a spin-off from Delft University of Technology, develops and markets a treatment for positional obstructive sleep apnea (POSA). The founder's journey began during her graduation project, inspired by an idea from her father, a physician, which she decided to build into a company. The company's core product is the Sleep Position Trainer (SPT), a device designed as a less invasive alternative to traditional CPAP therapy.

The business operates in the medical device and home healthcare market, serving patients who suffer from sleep apnea primarily when sleeping on their backs. The SPT is a palm-sized sensor worn on the chest in an adjustable strap. It continuously monitors the user's sleeping position and delivers gentle vibrations to prompt them to move off their back without disturbing their natural sleep pattern. The device features an adaptation program, where for the first couple of nights, it only monitors sleep, then gradually introduces vibrations, allowing users to acclimate before full therapy begins. This approach aims to improve patient comfort and long-term adherence to treatment.

NightBalance's business model focused on selling the CE-marked SPT device through prescription in several European countries. The company raised significant funding, including a Series B round of $13.9 million, to expand its commercial efforts in Europe and prepare for entry into the U.S. market, pending FDA clearance. A major milestone in the company's history was its acquisition by Royal Philips in May 2018. This acquisition integrated the Sleep Position Trainer into Philips' broader Sleep & Respiratory Care portfolio, leveraging Philips' global reach to increase the product's accessibility.