Lauren Barber (MACN, CNS), Founder of NeedleCalm, Honoured with 2024 Innovation Leadership Award 

 We are overwhelmed with excitement and gratitude to reveal that the entrepreneur behind NeedleCalm, Lauren Barber received the Innovation Leadership Award at last weeks InnovationAus 2024 Awards for Excellence event in Sydney. 

The InnovationAus Awards for Excellence 2024 celebrates Australian entrepreneurs who have successfully transformed concepts and research into innovative solutions that have both commercial and social value in a wide range of categories. On behalf of NeedleCalm and Lauren, we would like to warmly congratulate the other category winners and finalists for their incredible entrepreneurship and success. 

The Innovation Leadership Award, presented by Professor Stephen Rodda of  the University of New South Wales (UNSW), recognises Lauren’s achievement in the research and development of a ground-breaking desensitisation medical device that supports those who experience needle phobia, as well as her relentless commitment to making healthcare more compassionate and accessible. 

Lauren founded NeedleCalm with the mission to create a future where individuals can face needle procedures without fear. The NeedleCalm offering includes a combination of innovative devices and comprehensive education that empowers both clinicians and patients, to ensure that a reassuring environment is created with minimal anxiety and discomfort associated with injections and vaccination. Since market entry in 2021, we have been delighted to hear from patients who once experienced intense fear of needles, that NeedleCalm supported them to commence crucial treatments to improve their health and wellbeing. 

Lauren’s entrepreneurship embodies the spirit of the Innovation Leadership Award – a combination of pioneering innovation, effective leadership, and an unwavering focus on creating a positive impact. 

Lauren would like to personally thank all the supporters of The InnovationAus 2024 Awards for Excellence including these wonderful organisations that are dedicated to advancing technology and innovation in Australia – Australian Computer Society, Investment NSW, Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Technology Council of Australia, and many others. 

In addition, Lauren is incredibly grateful to these wonderful women from Empowering Women in Health, whom have played an integral part in the direction of NeedleClam over the year – Janette, Crystal, Anastasia and Carolyn. 

Link to Innovation Aus Announcement: https://www.innovationaus.com/lauren-barber-takes-home-innovation-leadership-award/