Three years ago, Goldilocks founder Shem Richards was blessed with a daughter. At the hospital, his daughter was perfect and they had all the support that they needed. Then they brought her home and she started crying.

“In our sleep deprived and stressed mindset, we forgot all that information that we knew cerebrally. We constantly questioned ourselves: Is she hungry? Is she too hot or cold? Is she tired?” says Shem.

As a medical device engineer, Shem has deep expertise in ICU and NICU machines that give doctors insights into patients who are not able to communicate with them.

“I set about coming up with a solution for parents that is easy to use, and that answers the simple questions they so often have.”

This led Shem to found Goldilocks – smart clothes for babies to help parents navigate the stresses and anxieties of early parenthood.

In addition to hunger, body temperature and sleep needs, Goldilocks also tracks the behaviours or skills seen in infants and children as they grow and develop – also known as development milestones – inspired by Shem’s cousin who had cerebral palsy.

Shem’s cousin was not able to sit alone without support by the age of one. His mother did not know this was a concern because he was her first child – a mother with older children noticed and raised this. Fortunately, cerebral palsy was detected young enough to provide effective early intervention, but this is not always the case.

“We are driven to develop a product that will help parents become experts in recognising what is not ‘normal’. This way we can help children around the world to have the best possible start to their life,” says Shem.

Shem says that there have been so many challenges in creating Goldilocks that it is hard to choose just one.

“Maybe this is because you need so many expert opinions in product development including hardware, software, firmware, machine learning, doctors, regulatory, legal and more. It is hard to build a superstar team with the small amount of capital you have.”

To help overcome this challenge, Shem says that it is important to build a vision that is compelling to others.

“Sometimes that is the only thing you can offer when you are looking to build employees, investors and partners.”

Goldilocks joined the MedTech Actuator in 2019 to access experts who could help him to navigate the product development landscape – and the capital with which to do so.

The 15-month, industry-led, venture-backed program aggressively funds and accelerates medical, health and biological technology startups, working alongside venture partner Artesian to support startups on their journey.

Goldilocks has achieved impressive milestones in the program including building the team; developing and testing their version 2 prototype; and developing their version 3 prototype.

“We have also built a network of partners through access to amazing experts in so many fields. Money can’t buy you this access and networking.”

Goldilocks has launched their equity crowdfunding campaign on Birchal – supporters will own a share of Goldilocks Suit Pty Ltd. More at www.goldilockssuit.com.

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