Summary: SleepCogni, a UK-based company focused on helping people self-manage insomnia, has announced funding milestones and leadership appointments. The company raised £300k in an Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) pre-approved bridging round, bringing total funding to £3.9 million ($5 million). This capital will support the company’s growth and upcoming funding round in 2025. SleepCogni also appointed Mark Milton-Edwards, a seasoned healthcare leader, as non-executive director and promoted Joseph Hawkins to chief operating officer. These changes come as the company aims for international expansion and product commercialization.
Key Takeaways:
- Funding Milestone: SleepCogni raised £300k in an EIS pre-approved bridging round, increasing total funding to £3.9 million ($5 million), to support future expansion.
- Leadership Appointments: Mark Milton-Edwards joins as non-executive director, bringing over 30 years of experience in digital health, while Joseph Hawkins is promoted to chief operating officer.
- Focus on Global Expansion: The leadership changes and new funding aim to support SleepCogni’s international commercialization, with plans for CE and FCC approvals.
United Kingdom-based SleepCogni, maker of a handheld device that helps people self-manage insomnia, announced funding milestones and key leadership appointments.
The company raised £300k in an Enterprise Investment Scheme pre-approved bridging round, supported by existing investors and grants, bringing its total funding to £3.9 million ($5 million). This additional capital extends the company’s runway through to a larger funding round planned for 2025, helping to advance key milestones, including CE and Federal Communications Commission approvals.
Long-term investor Mark Milton-Edwards reinvested in this round and joined the team as a non-executive director to support global commercialization. Additionally, Joseph Hawkins was promoted to chief operating officer.
“I am delighted to strengthen our commercial team and announce this additional funding. The continued support from our investors is a testament to their confidence in our mission and the team’s ability to deliver,” says Richard Mills, CEO of SleepCogni, in a release. “With a well-rounded executive team featuring experience from global leaders in pharmaceuticals like Teva, healthcare insurance giants such as Aetna, and consumer retail leaders like Apple, we are well-positioned to drive the business forward.”
Mark Milton-Edwards (left) joins SleepCogni as non-executive director, while Joseph Hawkins (right) is promoted to chief operating officer. Photo credit: SleepCogni
Milton-Edwards, formerly head of product and health solutions – digital health at Teva Pharmaceuticals, brings over 30 years of experience in pharma and healthcare technology. Prior to Teva, he spent 16 years at AstraZeneca. His achievements include the creation of Digihaler, a US Food and Drug Administration- and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency-approved digital inhaler.
With expertise in global product launches, predictive artificial intelligence/machine learning for healthcare, and reimbursement strategies for the US and National Health Service (NHS), Milton-Edwards’ insights will help drive SleepCogni’s international expansion, according to a release from SleepCogni.
“I’m excited to join SleepCogni at such a pivotal stage in its journey. The team, led by Richard, has already achieved remarkable success, with their therapy demonstrating significant improvements versus sham control in a randomized clinical trial setting. The opportunity in sleep is immense, and I believe SleepCogni’s technology has the potential to address a critical global need, changing millions of lives through better sleep. I look forward to contributing my experience in digital health innovation to help unlock the company’s potential for worldwide impact.”
Hawkins joined SleepCogni after collaborating on his dissertation at the University of Sheffield, where he used machine learning to predict sleep onset, which is now used to personalize SleepCogni’s therapy. Over the last six years, he has driven NHS collaborations, led UK and US sales, and secured £2m in funding. Alongside his role, he earned an MBA with distinction. As chief operating officer, Hawkins will continue to contribute to SleepCogni’s growth and success.
“This next chapter for SleepCogni is incredibly exciting, and I’m honored to step into the role of COO during this critical phase,” says Hawkins in a release. “Leading our scale-up efforts alongside such talented individuals is a privilege, and I look forward to building something truly impactful. Together, we’re ready to take SleepCogni to new heights and transform sleep health on a global scale.”
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