Glenn Goggin (pictured) had to overcome a range of challenges when setting up Ottera with Kieran Desmond in 2013, beginning with being taken seriously. “Looking back, we were naïve,” says Glenn. “We were good at college projects and getting the top results but very inexperienced in the real world. This really impacted our credibility in the early days.”

Ottera supplies glasses containing a HD video camera to provide a basis for better training, particularly in the healthcare, medical device and pharmaceutical markets. The company’s training software enables users to review the footage and score their performance.

Goggin (26) turned to UCC academics to help prove the benefits of the technology, in particular Prof Anthony Gallagher in the college’s medical school. “The lecturers designed a pilot study using students to wear the glasses while doing a procedure. Once the data was analysed and feedback given, the study showed that our technology helped reduce errors by up to 50%,” says Goggin.

The venture sourced initial funding from UCC’s Ignite programme and has parlayed €50,000 from Enterprise Ireland via the Graduate Competitive Start Fund. “This funding is being used to grow the team and develop the next version of our video capture glasses and training software,” says Goggin. “Our first glasses were off the shelf but we have designed new glasses, using a 3D prototype, with our own unique look and feel. We are currently in talks with potential manufacturing and supply chain partners.”

Desmond resigned as a director in September 2014, with Tadg Goggin joining the board in his place. According to Brian Goggin, the best piece of practical advice he received was to ensure that he pays himself. “As soon as I decided to pay myself a reasonable salary, my time became more and more valuable to me. If I kept telling myself I didn’t need a salary, the company would be stagnant.”

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