SleepSpace Awarded NYSTAR Innovation Matching Grant to Advance AI-Powered Sleep Technology
Funding from New York State supports commercialization of NIH-backed digital therapeutic for sleep and cognitive health
New York, NY — April 10, 2026 — SleepSpace, an AI-powered sleep technology company founded in New York, today announced it has been awarded funding through the NYSTAR Innovation Matching Grants Program, administered by Empire State Development.
The award is part of a broader initiative in which New York State is investing millions of dollars to accelerate high-growth, research-driven companies and strengthen the state’s innovation economy.
The NYSTAR program is designed to support commercialization of advanced technologies, drive economic development, and position New York as a global leader in innovation. SleepSpace was selected based on its combination of scientific validation, NIH-backed research, and potential for real-world impact.
Advancing New York’s Innovation Mission
The NYSTAR Innovation Matching Grant directly supports SleepSpace’s efforts to translate cutting-edge sleep science into scalable technology.
SleepSpace’s platform combines:
- Artificial intelligence (Dr. Snooze)
- Wearable integrations (Apple Watch, Oura, and others)
- Smart environmental control (light, sound, temperature)
- Digital behavioral therapy rooted in cognitive science
The funding will be used to accelerate:
- Product development and commercialization
- Clinical validation through ongoing NIH-funded trials
- Expansion of operations and high-skilled jobs in New York
“New York is making a strategic investment in companies that bridge science and real-world impact,” said Daniel Gartenberg, PhD, CEO of SleepSpace. “This support from NYSTAR allows us to scale a technology that has the potential to improve sleep, cognition, and long-term brain health for millions of people.”
Building on NIH-Funded Research
SleepSpace’s selection for NYSTAR funding builds on its previously awarded National Institutes of Health (NIH) SBIR grant, which supports a randomized controlled trial evaluating how improving deep sleep can enhance cognitive performance in older adults.
The company’s clinical research focuses on:
- Enhancing deep sleep (slow-wave sleep)
- Improving next-day cognitive performance
- Developing non-pharmacological approaches to brain health
By aligning state-level commercialization funding with federal research support, SleepSpace represents a model for translating scientific discovery into scalable digital health solutions.
Economic Impact and Job Creation
As part of the NYSTAR program’s mission, SleepSpace is expanding its footprint in New York by:
- Hiring and retaining high-skilled talent
- Partnering with New York-based vendors and research collaborators
- Contributing to the state’s growing digital health and AI ecosystem
This aligns with New York State’s broader goal of fostering innovation-driven economic growth and technology leadership.
Call for Study Participants
In parallel with this milestone, SleepSpace is actively enrolling participants in its NIH-funded Deep Sleep Study.
Learn more and sign up here:
https://sleepspace.com/sleepspace-deep-sleep-study/
Participation is limited and will contribute to advancing research on sleep and cognitive health.
About SleepSpace
SleepSpace is a New York-based AI sleep platform that combines wearable data, environmental optimization, and personalized coaching to improve sleep and recovery. Founded by NIH-funded sleep scientist Dr. Daniel Gartenberg, SleepSpace is focused on delivering clinically validated sleep solutions at scale.
About NYSTAR
The NYSTAR Innovation Matching Grants Program, administered by Empire State Development, supports companies that are commercializing advanced technologies and driving economic growth in New York State. The program prioritizes high-impact innovations with strong research foundations and market potential.