Cal Poly graduate works to commercialize concussion detection device
The Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) showcases eight startups at its annual Demo Day at Rod & Hammer Rock in San Luis Obispo, California, on September 06, 2024. Photo by Ruby Wallau for CIE.
Former athlete launches concussion detection startup with university support
– A former Cal Poly football player has launched a startup aimed at detecting sports-related concussions within minutes, as head injuries in the National Football League continue to draw attention during the playoffs.
Connor Heffler, who graduated last June with a degree in economics and a concentration in entrepreneurship, leads ODIN Diagnostics, a business he co-founded as part of his senior project team at Cal Poly. The team initially explored various health-related issues before focusing on concussions.
“We talked to everyone, from athletes to optometrists, and came back to the idea of concussions,” Heffler said. “We kept hearing, ‘concussions, concussions, concussions.’”
Concussions, caused by blows to the head or violent shaking, have been an increasing concern across several sports, particularly in football. According to the NFL, there were 219 concussions reported during the 2023 season, six more than the previous year but fewer than the 281 recorded in 2017. Notable players affected this season include Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins, Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) showcases eight startups at its annual Demo Day at Rod & Hammer Rock in San Luis Obispo, California, on September 06, 2024. Photo by Ruby Wallau for CIE
ODIN Diagnostics has gained recognition for its work. Last spring, the startup won the top prize in Cal Poly’s Innovation Quest competition, followed by participation in the university’s Summer Accelerator program. The 12-week program supports students and recent graduates in developing their ideas into businesses. ODIN Diagnostics is now part of Cal Poly’s two-year Incubator program, which provides $10,000 in seed funding and additional resources to support startup growth.
The current ODIN team includes Heffler and engineering students Joshua Gottschalk, Seth Saxena, and Marina Zellers.
“It’s probably one of the best experiences I had at Cal Poly,” Heffler said, “because you get to meet people and work with people that you don’t have the chance to in your economics classes.”
Heffler attributes much of his determination to his experience as a Division I football player.
“Football is a grind,” he said. “You’re waking up at 5 a.m. The sun’s not even out, and then you’re out hitting heads on the field and putting your body on the line. It’s hard — and doing that consistently daily makes you tough. Now that I’m in the working world after graduating, everything feels easier.”
Cal Poly Football hosted Lincoln. Photo by Owen Main
Heffler credited Economics Associate Professor Joseph Kuehn with helping him explore opportunities in the sports business industry. Kuehn, who has conducted research on professional basketball, described Heffler as a standout student.
“He always sat in the front of class, asked questions, and was always engaged with the material,” Kuehn said. “He was one of the more conscientious students I’ve had.”
Looking ahead, Heffler said he remains dedicated to expanding ODIN Diagnostics and developing solutions for concussion detection.
“I am fully committed to getting ODIN Diagnostics off the ground over the next years,” he said. “It is something I am passionate about, and I will not stop until we have developed a more meaningful solution to solve problems in the concussion space.”
