When it comes to a health innovation driven by purpose, there are few examples that stand out like Dr. Stevie Foglia, founder and CEO of Neuro-Mod Inc. He also happens to be one of The Clinic’s most inspiring alumni and mentors.
Recently awarded $100,000 through the Ontario Brain Institute’s NERVE program, Stevie’s company is developing an augmented-reality–based device for chronic neck pain — a breakthrough that could change how pain is managed for millions. The funding will support real-world validation of the technology in Hamilton physiotherapy clinics, gathering feedback from clinicians and patients to refine the product ahead of its planned commercial launch in 2026.
Stevie’s journey began in the laboratory, shaped by a deeply personal experience
“When I was three years old, my father was in a life-altering motor vehicle accident that left him in chronic pain,” Stevie shares. “His pain doesn’t respond to traditional treatments, and seeing his daily struggle inspired me to dedicate my life to developing non-invasive, effective therapeutics for pain management.”
That mission guided him through his research career and most recently toward entrepreneurship, a mission which started right here at The Clinic’s Health Innovation Bootcamp, at McMaster University.
“The Bootcamp in the summer of 2023 was my first introduction to the health innovation ecosystem at McMaster,” Stevie recalls. “Until then, I’d been focused entirely on academic research. Seeing the incredible talent and ideas within the community inspired me to take the leap into entrepreneurship.”
It was during that first Bootcamp pitch, while standing before peers and mentor, that Neuro-Mod began to take shape. The feedback he received helped him refine his story and build a foundation for pitching, a skill that’s now become one of his greatest strengths.
Following the Bootcamp, Stevie continued to move his innovation forward. He was selected for the inaugural McMaster Postdoctoral Entrepreneur Fellowship, a program designed to help researchers transition their discoveries into viable ventures. The fellowship provided not only financial support but also mentorship, workspace, and access to McMaster’s innovation ecosystem. The fellowship afforded him the opportunity to dedicate his time to developing and validating his technology. It became the bridge between his postdoctoral research and full-time entrepreneurship allowing him to position Neuro-Mod to attract investment and industry attention.
Since completing the Health Innovation Bootcamp at The Clinic, Stevie has returned a number of times not as a participant, but as a mentor, taking the time to share his lessons with the other aspiring innovators. Just last week, he joined the latest cohort of the Bootcamp at the session on creating an award-winning pitch, delivering his own company pitch and then breaking it down slide-by-slide to teach participants what makes an effective story.
“Entrepreneurship definitely has its challenges,” he says, “but my passion for pain management keeps me motivated and the mentorship network I’ve built through The Clinic and McMaster continues to play a huge role in our success.”
Stevie’s story embodies what the innovation community at McMaster strives to cultivate and that’s purpose-driven research transformed into real-world solutions. His leadership and continued engagement with The Clinic demonstrate how alumni can help fuel the next generation of health entrepreneurs.
As Neuro-Mod continues its validation studies and prepares for market launch, one thing is clear: Stevie Foglia’s impact extends far beyond the lab. He is inspiring innovators, improving lives, and redefining what’s possible in pain management.