Highland Instruments Awarded MassVentures START II to Advance ESStim™ Toward Commercialization

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - EntSun -- Highland Instruments today announced that it has received a $200,000 START Stage II grant award from MassVentures and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development. The award provides additional non-dilutive funding to help Highland advance ESStim™, its novel noninvasive brain stimulation platform, toward commercialization.

The MassVentures START program supports Massachusetts companies translating SBIR and STTR-funded research into viable businesses, jobs, and commercial products. START provides non-dilutive funding and business guidance to help companies reach growth milestones not typically covered by federal grants.

Highland previously received a START Stage I award in 2025. The Stage II award will support Highland's continued progress toward commercial readiness, including clinical advisory board development, product development, quality systems, reimbursement planning, and go-to-market preparation.

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ESStim™ combines independently controlled transcranial electrical stimulation and transcranial ultrasound stimulation. Highland is initially focused on Parkinson's Disease, where moderate-stage patients often face a treatment gap between medication management and invasive procedures.

"The START program has been an important source of support as Highland moves from clinical evidence toward commercial readiness," said Alex Herzlinger, Chief Business Officer of Highland Instruments. "This Stage II award will help us achieve important product development and commercial readiness milestones needed to advance ESStim™ toward commercialization."

"Massachusetts has built one of the world's strongest ecosystems for medtech and neurotechnology innovation," said Tim Wagner, PhD, Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Highland Instruments. "We are grateful to MassVentures and the Commonwealth for supporting Highland as we continue developing ESStim™ in Massachusetts and advancing toward the next stage of clinical, regulatory, and commercial development."

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About Highland Instruments

Highland Instruments is a neurotechnology company developing ESStim™, a novel noninvasive brain stimulation platform designed to help patients address movement disorders, chronic pain, and other neurological conditions. Learn more at www.highlandinstruments.com.

ESStim™ has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for a specific clinical indication. This technology is not in commercial distribution in the United States or internationally. Please contact Highland Instruments for additional information regarding this technology and potential clinical application.