Healium’s mental fitness wearables earn innovation award from world’s largest tech show

November 15, 2021  |  Startland News Staff

A Columbia-based startup’s patented technology that brings wearable biometric data to life via virtual and augmented reality apps has earned a major industry honor, announcing Healium’s selection for a 2022 Innovation Award from the Consumer Technology Association.

The awards program is an annual competition honoring outstanding design and engineering in 27 consumer technology product categories. Healium’s selection announcement was made ahead of the Jan. 5-8 CES 2022 event in Las Vegas, the world’s largest and most influential technology showcase.

[pullquote]

Healium is a patented technology and product that allows users to learn to self-regulate their focus and calm by giving them the ability to see their EEG brain patterns or heart rate in near-real-time. In five peer-reviewed journals, Healium has been shown to significantly reduce anxiety and improve mood in as little as four minutes. 

[/pullquote]

A panel of industry expert judges, including members of the media, designers, engineers, and more, reviewed submissions from companies like Healium — one of Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2020 — based on innovation, engineering and functionality, aesthetic, and design. Judges this year received a record-high number of more than 1,800 entries.

“Healium is the first immersive media channel for hardware-agnostic wearables,” said Sarah Hill, Healium’s CEO who developed the technology to ease her own anxiety as a former TV news reporter. “Think of Healium like a video game you play with your smartwatch or EEG headband. Mental fitness is an important way to build resilience with drugless, non-harmful coping mechanisms. We’re delighted CES has recognized our technology that is an important bridge between biometric data and XR content.”

Healium’s products are used worldwide with the US military, in schools, with elite athletes, and wellness practitioners to equip high performers with brain and heart rate training they need to excel. Healium teaches users to learn to self-regulate so they can focus faster, stress less, and perform better. 

Click here to learn more about Healium.

The company’s VR/AR products are expected to be among technology highlighted during the CES event in Las Vegas, at Healium’s booth near the entrance to the North Hall’s health pavilion. 

CES 2022 is also set to convene the tech industry digitally, giving global audiences access to major brands and startups, as well as the world’s most influential leaders and industry advocates, according to organizers. 

Click here to learn more about the in-person and virtual CES 2022 event.

[divide]

This story is possible thanks to support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a private, nonpartisan foundation that works together with communities in education and entrepreneurship to create uncommon solutions and empower people to shape their futures and be successful.

For more information, visit www.kauffman.org and connect at www.twitter.com/kauffmanfdn and www.facebook.com/kauffmanfdn

Tagged ,
Featured Business
    Featured Founder
      [adinserter block="4"]

      2021 Startups to Watch

        stats here

        Related Posts on Startland News

        A St. Joe CEO handed him a franchise after graduation; two years later, the risk is paying off 

        By Tommy Felts | October 17, 2025

        Spencer Engelman’s expectations for his post-college career were shredded by an offer he couldn’t refuse. The Northwest Missouri State University graduate was awarded a business of his own — minus the franchise fee — by a veteran entrepreneur who had visited one of his classes. “It’s a crazy opportunity,” said Engelman, who now operates a DocuLock…

        What a catch: Kansas City fandom creates custom appeal for taco-loving cartoonist vibe

        By Tommy Felts | October 17, 2025

        Drawing from Kansas City’s spotlight moments — whether trendy and new or iconic and timeless — W. Dave Keith balances a quirky aesthetic with a practical focus on what will actually sell. “I’ve slowly learned that if I want to make money off this business, I need to make stuff that people want to buy,”…

        Power through purpose: How a winding journey led this eco devo steward to deep-rooted impact

        By Tommy Felts | October 17, 2025

        Editor’s note: The following story was written and first published by the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri (EDCKC). Click here to read the original story. [divide] Going behind the scenes of CCED with the people who make it happen Some people are drawn to city-building because of the bricks and steel, the architecture, the skyline, the…

        Missouri’s weapon in the AI race with China: KC tech companies, says GOP lawmaker

        By Tommy Felts | October 16, 2025

        As artificial intelligence reshapes the way Kansas City works, civic and elected leaders want to ensure small businesses and the region’s tech community have seats at the table. Federal regulation could help, said Eric Schmitt. “For me, [it’s about] making sure that the big tech companies don’t block out a lot of the innovators, say…