Until the outbreak of the covid-19 crisis, Broomx worked for the tourism and culture sector. Now, it has reoriented its business model to the world of health. One of the company's founders, Ignasi Capellà, explains the reason for the transition: "When the pandemic arrived, we thought that we had tools that could serve to alleviate the mental exhaustion of healthcare workers and that could also help patients."
And so it was. Founded in Barcelona, Broomx specializes in the development of technological applications adaptable to practically any market. In 2018, they created their immersive projector, the MK360. The object projects images, videos, and sound content. Until now, it was used in hotels and music festivals like Sónar to enhance user experience. Today, it helps professionals and patients worldwide to mitigate physical and cognitive pathologies and dementias.
It all started when in 2019 a group of Canadian researchers became interested in the Broomx projector. The experts were conducting a study on the impact of immersive technologies in the treatment of people with Alzheimer's and other dementias. They bought a projector and initiated a study, with about thirty people, to compare its effectiveness with virtual reality glasses in the treatment of patients.
It all started when in 2019 a group of Canadian researchers became interested in the Broomx projector for a study with Alzheimer's patientsThe study successfully closed: the MK360 was much more effective.Unlike virtual reality glasses, with the Catalan device, the experience is immersive and occupies an entire room. In addition, no glasses are needed, and therefore, the phenomenon can be experienced in a group. Broomx's technology is not new. What is innovative is the technological characteristic it uses, theplug and play, thanks to which only one device is needed to enjoy the experience: the projector.
Currently, the company has a presence in about twenty countries around the world, including Japan, Australia, and the United States. This 2021, it has begun to implement the technology in Catalonia in centers such as the Guttmann Institute and Vall d'Hebron Hospital. The goal now is to grow abroad. And given that they have no competitors with the plug and play format, expectations are "good," assures Capellà.
Broomx has doubled its turnover compared to 2020, with sales reaching around half a million euros. Thanks to this, they have been able to double their staff, which now numbers about twenty people. To meet growth expectations, they have just started a funding round that they will close at the end of the year.
Looking ahead to September, they will continue to bet on diversifying the markets they serve. With the reactivation of tourism and cultural activities, they have not neglected the clients they had before the pandemic. And now they are starting to compete in the corporate world. They believe that their technology could be applied in company meditation rooms, so fashionable in work environments like those in Silicon Valley. Capellà believes that "there is still a lot of room to run" to see in which sectors its application can make sense.