Pittsburgh-based startup and developer of wearable wellness technology, Apollo Neuroscience Inc., announced that it has entered into a multi-year partnership with the NFL Alumni Association.
Through the three-year partnership, Apollo Neuro will offer members of the NFLAA, who are retired NFL athletes, as well as their family members with discounted products and educational content, in an effort to ensure their physical and mental well-being into retirement.
“We are thrilled to support the NFL Alumni Association’s mission to improve the health and well-being of retired NFL players and their families,” Kathryn Fantauzzi, co-founder and CEO of Apollo Neuroscience, said in a release. “Born in the lab at the University of Pittsburgh, the Apollo wearable is a noninvasive and safe tool to improve sleep quality, mood and focus. We’re excited to be able to deliver the Apollo technology to former NFL players as part of our partnership with the NFL Alumni Association so they can experience the benefits of this novel, scientifically-validated technology first-hand.”
Apollo Neuro’s technology, which can be worn on the wrist or ankle, is meant to improve the body’s resilience to stress through touch therapy, improving sleep, lowering heart rate and improving focus.
“I have been a huge proponent of Apollo Neuro since I was first introduced to the Apollo wearable a couple of years ago,” Dr. Joseph Maroon, clinical professor and vice chairman, Department of Neurological Surgery, UPMC, and the consultant neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers, said in a release. “Dr. Dave Rabin and his team have developed a device that can increase your heart rate variability. In fact, Apollo is the only wearable device available that will modulate your heart rate variability to a higher level and put you in a meditative state without actually meditating. I recommend Apollo to my patients who may be struggling with sleep issues or feelings of anxiety, stress and/or depression — all things that we unfortunately see many former professional athletes struggle with once their playing days are behind them.”
In addition to offering the wearable at a discounted price to NFLAA members, Apollo Neuro is also working with the NFLAA and the Board of Medicine to present the “Where the Athletic Heart and Mind Meet” webinar, which will air on Apollo Neuro’s and the NFLAA’s channels on Aug. 10.
Apollo Neuroscience was founded in 2014. It was named to Pittsburgh Inno’s Startups to Watch in 2022.
“We are extremely excited about teaming up with Apollo Neuro to bring another valuable resource to the thousands of former professional football players, executives, cheerleaders, coaches and their families who make up the NFL Alumni Association,” Beasley Reece, CEO of the NFLAA, said in a release. “Working closely with such a cutting edge and inventive company like Apollo Neuro aligns perfectly with our goal to provide continued care and the latest in medical, mental health and wellness-enriching tools and resources to our community.”
