From Personal Woe to Startup Go: How a Frightening Parenting Experience Led to an Innovative Tech Venture

One ordinary day, Paolo Alejandro Catilo, a father of three lively and somewhat accident-prone boys, received a call from his sons’ school alerting him to an incident. His eldest son had bumped his head on the playground during an intense game of hide-and-seek. Little did he know, this ordinary phone call would spur him on a remarkable journey leading to the inception of Cerebro NeuroTech, an innovative startup committed to addressing the complexities of Sport-Related Concussions (SRC) and brain trauma detection, evaluation, and care.

The Brainchild of Cerebro NeuroTech: From Fear to Innovation

Despite the initial lack of serious symptoms, the boy later fell off a stool, evoking a surge of questions in Paolo’s mind around the potential implications and necessary actions. This worrying experience spurred the father to consider the possibility of developing a tool that could aid others — parents, coaches, medical practitioners — in handling similar circumstances.

Bringing Personal and Professional Experiences Together

Prior to this life-altering event, Paolo had already established a notable career in the world of healthcare and deep tech, and had, ironically, experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the past. A severe motorcycle accident in Washington, DC, had left him unconscious, making him all too familiar with the seriousness and potential complications of TBIs. Pooling his personal and professional experience, Paolo embarked on a mission to enhance the diagnostic process for concussion and TBI, leading to the birth of Cerebro NeuroTech.

Taking the Leap: Scaling Cerebro NeuroTech

Paolo’s connection with Alabama dates back to his childhood when his family migrated from the Philippines and settled in the city. Hence, it was not surprising that when he got an invitation from Kellie Clark to join the Prosper Health Tech Accelerator (PHTA), he took the opportunity.

The PHTA’s mission revolves around identifying and supporting the most ambitious and disciplined healthcare founders, offering them the resources and network to reshape the healthcare industry. In April 2024, after thorough research, Paolo decided to embrace this invitation, thus marking a significant step in the growth of Cerebro NeuroTech.

Strong Connections and Partnerships: Catalyzers for Success

Shortly after moving to Birmingham, Paolo was introduced to Maria Underwood, a representative of Birmingham Bound who helped establish a connection with the Lakeshore Foundation. Eager to embed his startup in the heart of Birmingham’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, Paolo procured a 12-month lease at Innovation Depot, a leading innovation hub in the city.

Beyond this, Paolo and his teammates have had the chance to present to prominent institutions such as Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. Collaborations with UAB Athletics and multiple opened doors and introductions have perfectly demonstrated the close-knit and supportive community that makes up Birmingham.

An Innovative Partnership: Cerebro NeuroTech and the Lakeshore Foundation

Cerebro NeuroTech uses artificial intelligence to detect concussion and traumatic brain injury with an impressive 95% accuracy and within 60 seconds. The startup is currently partnering with Lakeshore’s Sports Science and Performance Center (SSPC) to ensure the models mirror various athletes’ experiences, setting the stage for a diverse and comprehensive approach to detecting sports-related injuries.

The Future of Cerebro NeuroTech

Things are looking promising for this forward-thinking startup. Already, the team at Cerebro NeuroTech is venturing into the development of models capable of detecting neurocognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. As they continue to scale, it is clear that Birmingham will play a pivotal role in enhancing and shaping this transformative technology.