DOJO Health’s flagship product, DOJO Air, just received a significant boost: it’s been chosen as part of the newly launched Next Wave Fund, a joint effort between Kickstarter and Google. This signifies increased funding, support, and visibility for the breath training device as it heads toward its crowdfunding launch, marking an important step for both the company and potentially the field of respiratory health technology.
What is DOJO Air?
DOJO Air is a volumetric breath-training device designed to measure, train, and track respiratory performance. It’s positioned as a tool for athletes seeking peak performance, wellness professionals looking for data-driven insights, and clinical users needing precise assessment of respiratory function. Unlike more traditional approaches to breathwork, DOJO Air provides immediate biofeedback on key metrics – breath volume, airflow, and breath-hold capacity – using guided light feedback and interactive displays. The device aims to shift the focus from subjective feelings about breathing towards quantifiable improvements in respiratory health.
The Next Wave Fund: A Powerful Partnership
The Kickstarter Google Next Wave Fund is a strategic initiative aimed at bolstering early-stage tech startups across various sectors, including hardware, software, gaming, and connected technology. This isn’t simply about providing capital; it’s a comprehensive program designed to foster growth. Selected companies receive a $10,000 pledge towards their crowdfunding goal on Kickstarter – in DOJO Air’s case, contributing to a larger $25,000 target – along with invaluable hands-on guidance from Kickstarter’s Design & Technology team and access to training programs taught by Google experts. These include the prestigious Google AI Professional Certificate and targeted workshops led by Grow with Google Coaches. Crucially, participants also gain exposure through promotion on Kickstarter’s newsletter and social channels, and potential consideration for participation in Google Accelerators as their business scales.
Why This Matters: Validating Breath Intelligence
The selection isn’t merely a financial windfall; it represents significant validation of DOJO Air’s market opportunity. Securing support from both Kickstarter and Google signals strong confidence in the product’s potential to create a new category—what CEO Craig Olson refers to as “breath intelligence”—and expand access to measurable breath training for improved physical and mental well-being. This recognition underscores the growing understanding of breathwork’s importance, moving it beyond anecdotal practices toward data-driven improvement and quantifiable results. The timing is also crucial, coinciding with increased consumer interest in holistic health solutions.
What’s Next for DOJO Air?
With this backing, DOJO Health plans to accelerate its market entry and strengthen the foundation for future growth, particularly as it eyes Series A funding. The device is designed to offer users immediate insight into their respiratory performance, potentially leading to improvements in athletic abilities, sleep quality, stress management, and overall well-being. Olson highlighted that the fund will help them put this “breath intelligence” platform in front of more users, expanding its reach across various applications.
Key takeaways
- DOJO Health’s DOJO Air has been selected for the Kickstarter Google Next Wave Fund.
- The fund provides $10,000 towards a $25,000 crowdfunding goal and valuable resources from both Kickstarter and Google.
- DOJO Air is a volumetric breath-training device targeting athletes, wellness professionals, and clinical users.
- This selection validates the market opportunity for measurable breath training and could accelerate future funding rounds.
- The initiative provides access to Google’s AI Professional Certificate and Grow with Google coaching programs.
FAQ
What is the Next Wave Fund?
It’s a joint initiative by Kickstarter and Google designed to fund early-stage tech startups, providing crowdfunding, resources, and mentorship.
How does DOJO Air work?
The device uses guided light feedback and interactive metrics to measure breath volume, airflow, and breath-hold capacity, providing real-time biofeedback for users.
DOJO Air’s inclusion in the Next Wave Fund represents a pivotal moment for the company, reinforcing its commitment to bringing data-driven respiratory health solutions to a wider audience.
Source: The National Law Review
