by Richard Buckley, Editor, Business Eye

Entrepreneurial hub, Barclays Eagle Lab at Ormeau Baths, is marking one year of supporting Northern Ireland’s start-up businesses just as original resident, Neurovalens, launches its premier product, Modius, on Amazon. Neurovalens, a Northern Ireland health-tech company dedicated to improving lives using neuroscience and technology, was one of the first companies to take a space in the Belfast Eagle Lab when it was launched last May.


Its first product, Modius, is a ‘weight loss headset’ which when worn helps people become leaner by successfully applying neuro-technology. 

From the Eagle Lab’s base, founders Dr. Jason McKeown and Paul McGeoch were able to benefit from expert mentoring, networking opportunities, free events, and workshops – giving the ambitious start-up a real boost as it worked to develop Modius, which is now gaining media attention worldwide.

Dr. Jason McKeown, CEO, Neurovalens, said: “We have been Barclays customers since 2015, and when we heard a Barclays Eagle Lab was opening in Belfast we jumped at the opportunity to be involved. We were only a three-person operation then, searching for an innovative, creative space we could use as a base and network with other emerging businesses.”

One year after taking up a residency in the Barclays Eagle Lab, Neurovalens now employs over 30 people and has just moved into its own premises. The company has sold more than 7,000 Modius units worldwide, cracking into the US market and last week launching on Amazon.

Barclays Ecosystem Manager, Lisa Bailie, is permanently based in the Barclays Eagle Lab to assist residents with all their banking needs, be they Barclays customers or not.

She said: “Neurovalens is one of the Barclays Eagle Lab ‘originals’ and a fantastic example of how you can cultivate success by surrounding yourself with strong, like-minded entrepreneurs. The Barclays Eagle Lab in Belfast has supported over 60 businesses since opening and the space has become an in-demand business education events venue, hosting over 500 in its first year, and covering topics of particular interest to our residents, like Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.”

Christopher Murray, Relationship Director, Barclays Northern Ireland, said: “When Neurovalens initially approached Barclays they needed a banking partner which could guarantee flexibility and international expertise to support their expanding global operation. We were a natural fit. Not only do we provide a full operational banking service to the team, but also multi-currency accounts and a FX/International Strategy to really boost world-wide growth.

“Helping a start-up to expand and out-grow the Barclays Eagle Lab is really satisfying. It’s fantastic to see Modius launch on Amazon– the next step in making this cutting-edge product accessible for all.”

Neurovalens has its sights set firmly on growth. Dr. Jason McKeown continued: “We hope to proactively target new markets soon, particularly across Europe and Asia. Our relationship with Barclays is also proving to be a scalable one – as we grow we’re tapping into their high growth and fundraising expertise to help take us smoothly onto our next development stage.

“This is a hugely exciting time for Neurovalens, for our supporters, and for the people using and benefitting from Modius.”

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Dr. Jason McKeown with Christopher Murray of Barclays

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