Circadacare expands into new office at The Catalyst

A tech company that aims to improve independent living through circadian light technology has moved into a new office in The Catalyst at Newcastle Helix.

Circadacare, which develops lighting systems that support the circadian rhythm – the natural 24-hour internal body clock that regulates your sleep-wake cycle – has moved into a larger office in The Catalyst to accommodate its growing team ahead of the launch of its AI-monitored light bulb, Heleos.

The lighting technology specialist first moved to The Catalyst in 2022 and was based in the National Innovation Centre for Ageing’s Hub alongside other businesses looking to harness opportunities and create solutions in the healthy ageing sector.

Starting as a team of two, Circadacare quickly grew and is now a team of 10 based in its own office in the innovation centre.

Tallie Bush, product director at Circadacare, said: “There’s a great deal happening in the North East with healthy ageing and longevity, and we wanted to be part of that.

“The Catalyst has the National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA) embedded and we really wanted to be incubated with them to exchange information and collaborate. It’s been extremely valuable.

“And the National Innovation Centre for Data (NICD) is based here too. Knowing you’re working alongside NICA and NICD when you’re making an Internet of Things (IoT) healthcare product is a perfect match.”

The company has been designing circadian lighting solutions for managed care environments and dementia care facilities since 2020, but with its new Heleos product, Circadacare hopes to support those living alone to live independently for longer.

Tallie added: “We want to tackle the barriers to living independently for longer with our systems. The projects we worked on in care homes required deep retrofits and installations, but we wanted to develop something that could be used for those still living at home on a care pathway of some kind.

“Heleos is simply a monitored light bulb that can easily be fitted at home to produce a circadian stimulus for you, helping to improve alertness, mood and sleep patterns for enhanced wellbeing.

“We know that in dementia the circadian rhythm can be disrupted, which can result in sleep issues and disruptive behaviours. Heleos is designed to help synchronise the circadian rhythm, providing non-invasive care while also notifying care providers through an app of any notable changes to wellbeing.”

Most recently, Circadacare announced it had raised £1.3m to support its healthy ageing work. This was secured through an investment round led by the North East Innovation Fund, supported by the European Regional Development Fund and managed by Northstar Ventures, alongside angel investors.

The company also received grants of £358,000 from Innovate UK through the Healthy Ageing Innovate UK (HAIA) grant and £80,000 from the Longitude Prize on Dementia.

The Catalyst is an award-winning building managed by Oxford Innovation, the UK’s leading operator of Innovation Centres. Located in the heart of Newcastle Helix, a 24-acre innovation district with a focus on data science, urban science and life science, The Catalyst is home to a dynamic community of businesses and research specialists driving innovation in data and healthy ageing.

Amelia Findlay, centre manager at The Catalyst, said: “It’s remarkable to see Circadacare’s growth from a small team in the NICA Hub to now occupying their own space within our vibrant community.

“We’re proud to support the team as they continue to develop ground-breaking solutions that positively impact lives.”

John Seager, Newcastle Helix estates director said: “The success that Circadacare is achieving is a fantastic example of what Newcastle Helix can support and enable. It’s where organisations can come together, innovate, and push the boundaries in their fields.

“Fostering the right environment and introductions that support organisations to collaborate and innovate at the leading edge of their respective fields is at the heart of our mission here, and a true display of the value of the combined investment by the Newcastle Helix Partnership.”

Newcastle Helix is a partnership between Newcastle City Council, Newcastle University and Legal and General.