In a remarkable stride for health and defense technology, Vilnius-based startup Pulsetto has secured a significant €2 million investment from Scalewolf, a prominent dual-use technology accelerator and venture capital fund in Lithuania. This strategic partnership is set to transition Pulsetto’s innovative vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) technology from the wellness sector to vital defense applications, potentially revolutionizing stress management and mental resilience among soldiers and frontline personnel.
Pulsetto, founded in 2021 by visionary tech entrepreneurs Povilas Sabaliauskas and Vitalijus Majorovas, has been at the forefront of developing wearable VNS technology. Their device, which engages the parasympathetic nervous system to alleviate stress, optimize sleep, and bolster mental endurance, stands out for its unique approach to neuromodulation. With a hands-free design, the device gently stimulates the vagus nerve, promoting a shift from the body’s ‘fight or flight’ to ‘rest and digest’ mode, thus enhancing overall well-being and cognitive performance.
This investment marks a turning point for Pulsetto, whose mission is now expanding beyond its current market. The newly formed alliance with Scalewolf is intended to augment the mental endurance of military and security personnel, who frequently operate under some of the world’s most extreme stress conditions. Controlled via a mobile app, Pulsetto’s device offers an easily accessible tool that is particularly beneficial for soldiers, first responders, and other high-performance professionals who need to maintain their focus and resilience amidst challenging scenarios.
“The modern battlefield transcends physical endurance. Today, mental resilience is equally crucial. Our technology empowers individuals to reset their nervous systems and maintain peak performance,” explained Povilas Sabaliauskas, Pulsetto’s CEO and Co-founder. This insight reflects a growing awareness of the mental challenges faced by military personnel, as detailed by Edvinas Kerza, Managing Partner at Scalewolf. “Pulsetto is addressing one of the most overlooked challenges in defense: mental endurance. We invest in startups that solve real-world problems, and the demand for psychological resilience solutions in the military is undeniable.”
Pulsetto’s latest venture is set against a backdrop of their recent €20 million valuation, an achievement bolstered by a €400,000 funding win on the Lithuanian Shark Tank and a feature in a Netflix documentary. These milestones underscore Pulsetto’s potential and the increasing demand for technologies that bolster both civilian quality of life and national security.
Scalewolf, working in conjunction with the Lithuanian Ministry of Economy and Innovation, is keen on supporting technologies that offer dual commercial and defense applications. Pulsetto’s potential in transforming recovery and performance for individuals in high-stress roles makes it an ideal candidate for this vision. “We believe in solutions that strengthen human endurance, and Pulsetto has the potential to redefine how we approach recovery and performance,” Kerza added.
Ultimately, this collaboration underscores the essential role of mental resilience in military readiness. “Military readiness isn’t just about firepower–it’s about the people behind it. Our mission is to help soldiers recover faster, stay sharp, and sustain resilience under extreme conditions,” Sabaliauskas emphasized. As modern challenges evolve, so too must the technologies that empower those at the frontlines, and Pulsetto stands poised to lead this crucial transformation.