UCL startup eNOugh secures $2.7 million investment

The chest-warn eNO badge is a safety device designed to protect individuals in vulnerable situations. It clips onto a jacket and uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect signs of potential threat. 

If danger is detected, it automatically activates bright lights and alarm sounds to deter and scare off an attacker and starts recording audio and video footage of the incident. 
The badge livestreams the video and location data to a control centre, where authorities can be alerted, enabling immediate coordination of assistance 

Co-founder Ina Jovicic (MSc Entrepreneurship) came up with the idea for eNOugh after she was attacked while walking home alone at night in London. Determined to make walking alone safer, she partnered with Gaelic Jara Reinhold (BEng Engineering) and Alex Chalakov (MSc Emerging Digital Technologies) to create the eNO badge.  

To grow their business, the trio was supported by the Hatchery incubator programme at BaseKX, UCL's entrepreneurship hub where they received free, tailored support and dedicated office space.  

The latest funding round was led by A*Ventures, with participation from Comma Capital, Karman Ventures, Intuition. Several notable angels and scouts from Index Ventures, Notion Capital, Ventures Together also contributed. This funding will help eNOugh to bring the eNO badge to market.  

Ina Jovicic said: “This round is fundamental in eNOugh’s journey as it will allow us to launch the product and see it make a difference in people’s daily lives. The stories we hear every day remind us why a product like this must exist. We want to give people the freedom to live without limitations. 

"UCL was the place where eNOugh was born, and thanks to the UCL network, we managed to meet as co-founders even though all three of us did different degrees." 

In September, eNOugh pitched at London Demo Day, a major event where startups from London’s top universities pitch their ventures to a room of investors.

Jovicic said: “Pitching at London Demo Day played a part in us securing our last angel funder to complete this round, as well as finding one of our first hires; in both cases, they saw us pitch on that day and then reached out to us.” 

Professor Geraint Rees (UCL Vice-Provos, Research, Innovation & Global Engagement) said: “Congratulations to eNOugh on securing this funding. Their journey from a bold idea to a real product shows how innovation thrives at UCL. The eNO badge is a smart, human centred use of AI with the potential for real-world impact. I’m proud that UCL’s entrepreneurial ecosystem played a significant role in their journey and wish them continued success.” 

Links 

• eNOugh 
• UCL Hatchery incubator programme 
• UCL School of Management
• UCL Engineering
• UCL Innovation & Enterprise
• London Demo Day 
• Entrepreneurship support for UCL students and recent graduates 

Image

• From left: Gaelic Jara Reinhold, Ina Jovicic and Alex Chalakov 

Media Contact
Michael Lucibella

E: m.lucibella [at] ucl.ac.uk