Cocoon Airbag Protection AB, a Lund-based startup, has been awarded grants from both the Women TechEU program under Horizon Europe and Vinnova. Cocoon Airbag Protection AB develops an innovative airbag system that integrates into child bicycle seats to provide full-body protection for children in the event of an accident. This funding aims to support the development and commercialization of Cocoon’s AI-powered airbag system for child bicycle seats, a unique safety solution designed to provide full-body protection for children in the event of an accident.
Founded in 2019, Cocoon Airbag Protection AB is a startup focused on improving child safety in bicycle transportation. Founded by product designer Emma Garatea, the company has developed an airbag system that integrates into child bicycle seats, designed to deploy in the event of an accident. This system aims to provide full-body protection for children during collisions, addressing significant safety concerns associated with cycling. Cocoon is committed to advancing its technology through rigorous testing and development, with plans for a production prototype that will undergo certification processes.
The Women TechEU grant recognizes Cocoon as the only Swedish company funded in the latest round of the initiative, which supports female-led businesses in the deep tech sector. The program provides targeted funding, coaching, and networking opportunities to foster growth in innovative companies.
Emma Garatea, the founder and CEO of Cocoon, expressed gratitude for the support, which will help advance their efforts to enhance child safety in bicycle transportation. The grant was awarded following a competitive selection process, with Cocoon chosen from over 820 applicants—a notable increase in competition compared to previous years.
“We are thrilled and honored to receive this grant from Women TechEU. This support will enable us to take a significant step forward in making bicycle transportation safer for children worldwide. Our goal has always been to create a product that brings peace of mind to parents, and this funding will accelerate our efforts in bringing our innovative airbag system to market,” says Emma Garatea, Founder.
In addition to the Women TechEU grant, Cocoon has also received €26,4K (SEK 300,000) from Vinnova to support a project in collaboration with the German company Minerva Airbag System. This project, funded under the Eurostars 3 program, aims to develop and test a production prototype of the airbag system, facilitating advancements in technology readiness and speeding up commercialization efforts.
The collaboration with Minerva is expected to enhance Cocoon’s development capacity and support the demonstration of a cyclical supply chain, which is crucial for the commercial viability of the Cocoon System.
GAEU Consulting, which specializes in advising innovative companies on obtaining EU funding, is assisting Cocoon with project design and proposal writing for this initiative. The expected outcomes include documentation, Computer Aided Engineering files, and a prototype ready for CE certification.
Cocoon Airbag Protection, emerged from a personal need for safer cycling options for children. As the prototype progresses, the company aims to address significant safety concerns for parents and caregivers involved in child transportation by bicycle.
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Read the orginal article: https://arcticstartup.com/cocoon-secures-grants/
