Being surrounded by innovators inspired master of technology management and entrepreneurship (MTME) graduate, Alexander Tree (BEng 21), to create something of his own.
It was through hands-on co-op experiences with UNB-incubated startups and a leading technology company, coupled with the "sky's-the-limit" thinking UNB inspires, that Tree determined he too could create something great from scratch.
UNB graduate Alexander Tree turned a lifelong struggle with restless sleep into DeepREM, a startup born from the university's MTME program that uses audio technology to enhance sleep.
"I realized, Hey, I can do this. I can build something useful too,'" Tree said.
Originally from Fredericton, Tree has always been interested in math and physics.
"Growing up, I always loved computers and really wanted to understand them and figure out how they worked. I went into engineering at UNB and after my first semester, I found I was super interested in the electrical side."
During his undergraduate degree, Tree participated in successful and inspiring work placements with Mach85 and global technology company Bosch in Germany. After graduation, he gained experience with wearable technology at Parados, and later at a thermal measurement startup Forsta Varme.
It was after these experiences that Tree had a realization.
"Entrepreneurship suddenly felt like a really viable option for me," he said.
"I knew that I didn't want just to be part of another company. I really believed that I could be someone who could create something from the ground up."
Tree enrolled in UNB's accelerated 12-month MTME program at the J. Herbert Smith Centre.
Heading into the program, he didn't have a solid idea for his project.
"I looked for the problems that kept me up at night literally. I've always been a super light and restless sleeper and I couldn't remember the last time I woke up feeling truly rested."
Over the years, Tree had tried everything from exercising more and reducing his caffeine intake to reading before bed to get a better night's sleep all to no avail.
As he began looking for solutions, Tree came across research on how auditory stimulation can positively influence sleep patterns and improve sleep architecture.
"In deep sleep, certain frequencies of binaural beats can enhance that sleep stage and give you a higher quality deep sleep, even up to 35 more minutes of deep sleep, just by having a dynamic binaural beat system. Other sounds can also be effective in helping you fall asleep faster and improving your overall sleep efficiency.
"Using information like that, we can find out what the optimal soundtrack should be for most people," Tree said.
"Most of the companies in this space only focused on developing the hardware, like brainwave-sensing headbands. But one, they're extremely expensive, and two, they're uncomfortable. While other options, like sleep apps, just play static audio which doesn't adapt to the user at all and can actually interfere with sleep.
"On top of this, most people don't know that over one third of the population doesn't get enough sleep," he said. "In North America over 220 million people are starving for a real sleep solution one that's effective, natural and free from the detrimental side effects of sleep medications."
Tree saw an opportunity, and his startup, DeepREM, was born.
He developed software that connects with users' existing devices, like smartwatches, to monitor and improve sleep in real time by playing audio that's synced with users' sleep cycles.
"My entire understanding of entrepreneurship is different now," Tree said of his participation in the MTME program.
He also had the opportunity to take part in H2A Canada, a health incubator collaboration UNB has with Harvard University's Harvard HealthLab Accelerators.
"Through the year we had multiple information sessions, webinars and workshop sessions. In the latter half of the program, I actually got to take the idea to Boston and pitch it at Harvard. The feedback I got there was not only very helpful, but super motivating for the business. People showed so much interest that I knew DeepREM could be a gamechanger."
What's more, Tree is continuing to develop DeepREM through UNB's Summer Institute, which has connected him with innovators Sam Poirier (BScME'19, M-TME'19), founder and CEO of Potential Motors and Curtis Kennedy (BScME, DTME), founder and CEO at Symbodi.
As he graduates today in Fredericton, Tree is focused on advancing DeepREM and bringing it to market, proving that with persistence and innovation, it's possible to build something from the ground up that has the potential to change thousands of lives for the better.
