Tailwind News

Encore Path Announces Acceptance Into Astia’s Elite Entrepreneur Program and Community

Encore Path Joins Astia’s Global Network of entrepreneurs, investors, corporations and industry leaders.

“Power of 10” forum provided angel investors and venture capitalists with insight into available technology investment opportunities

Baltimore, MD (October 20, 2011—Encore Path, makers of the revolutionary Tailwind device for arm rehabilitation for stroke and brain injury survivors, today announced its invitation to join Astia, the premier global network serving women-led high growth start-ups since 1999. Encore Path is one of only 31 start-ups joining the elite Astia community for this fall’s Silicon Valley program. A hand-picked group of just 224 companies across the globe have been invited to become Astia clients since 2003. Unlike other conferences and programs for entrepreneurs, Astia clients are served by the network, program, and resources throughout the company’s growth. Invitations are extended only to those companies that pass Astia’s robust screening and qualification process.

Encore Path develops rehabilitation devices for stroke and brain injury survivors. Its first product, the Tailwind, was released in 2009. It is clinically proven to help people with moderate to severe paralysis improve their arm function and range of motion. The Tailwind is available in rehabilitation hospitals and therapy centers worldwide, and is also sold to patients who want to use it at home.

"With each new class of entrepreneurs joining the Astia program, I’m impressed to find these leaders are as talented, innovative and committed to the success of their business as their past peers," commented Sharon Vosmek, CEO, Astia. "I look forward to working with Encore Path to help accelerate its path to success by teaming them with industry leaders and building valuable connections within the investor community."

"We are honored to be accepted into Astia’s global community of entrepreneurs and to take part in such a prestigious program," said Encore Path President Kris Appel. "We are confident that Astia will not only provide us with the relationships and connections we need to accelerate our company’s growth, but its team of experts will provide us with the necessary business insight to come out on top as a market leader."

About Encore Path:

A Baltimore, Maryland-based medical device company, Encore Path was founded in 2006 by entrepreneur Kris Appel to develop devices and therapies that will improve the quality of life for stroke survivors and their families. The Tailwind, Encore Path’s debut product, is already in use throughout the United States and on five continents.

About the Tailwind:

The Tailwind was developed by University of Maryland doctors specializing in physical therapy rehabilitation after a decade of scientific research. Clinical studies have shown that the device successfully helps improve arm mobility, function, and range of motion in patients with even severe paralysis. Visit www.tailwindtherapy.com for information.

ABOUT ASTIA

Astia is a global non-profit organization that uniquely sources innovation to exceptional start-ups. Guided by a proven philosophy that gender diversity is an essential element of innovation, Astia works with start-ups around the world as they access capital, grow their businesses, and hone the leadership skills of their founding teams. The Astia model of engaging a community of experts to the benefit of the select start-ups it serves has resulted in an exceptional success rate: since 2003, 60 percent of companies that have participated in the Astia Investor Forums have secured funding or achieved an exit within one year of presenting, totaling more than half a billion dollars raised and 17 exits, including two IPOs. For more information, visit www.astia.org.