Objective
Mental health conditions are set to become the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide by 2030 (at a projected cost of €14.8 trillion), surpassing other major health concerns. The most effective path to lasting recovery involves Mental Health Professionals (MHPs), but despite significant efforts, they currently can only help around one in three patients recover during treatment. MHPs lack adequate tools and remain ill-equipped to support the 970 million people in need of mental health care. Typical treatment cycles involve only one hour per week to rewire maladaptive responses, while digital alternatives suffer from a low two-week retention rate of 3.9%.
Ankor is a unique and scalable solution designed to help MHPs deliver faster, more effective treatments, aiming to double recovery rates and extend support to over 100 million additional patients; for whom existing solutions have failed. By integrating biosensing, AI, and real-time shape-changing mechanisms, Ankor enables both patients and MHPs to interact with and modify physiological and psychological responses, making mental health care more tangible, accessible, and easy.
The primary objective of this project is to explore and validate the innovation potential of our technology, with a focus on building customer traction and identifying viable market pathways. Specifically, we aim to: (1) construct functional demonstrators to advance the capabilities and reach of our technology; (2) engage with potential customers and establish relationships with key stakeholders, gain insights into market needs, and assess the commercial viability of Ankor; (3) create a market validation report that quantifies the demand for our technology and outlines a market entry strategy with measurable milestones.
Through this project, we will set the groundwork for launching a spin-out company to commercialise the Ankor concept and product with the long-term goal of radically improving the delivery of mental health support.
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-POC
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
BA2 7AY BATH
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.