Phoenix, AZ (October 9, 2025) – The concept of smart wearable garments for health applications first emerged in 1996. Nearly two decades later, in 2013, Hexoskin transformed that vision into reality by creating the first commercially available, machine-washable smart garment — marking a major milestone in digital health innovation.
Founded in 2006 by Pierre-Alexandre Fournier and Jean-François Roy in Montreal, Hexoskin has since become a global leader in non-invasive sensors, software, data science, and AI-driven health solutions. Their mission is to move beyond bulky monitoring systems, adhesive patches, and tangled wires. Instead, Hexoskin’s technology is fabric-based, wire-free, and designed for comfort, blending seamlessly into everyday life.
Their line of smart shirts and tank tops features discreet sensors that continuously collect electrocardiogram (ECG) and respiratory pattern data, transmitting it securely through the Hexoskin mobile app for real-time analysis.
“We wanted technology that works for people — not the other way around,” said Fournier. “Our goal was to make health monitoring as natural and invisible as possible, while giving patients and clinicians accurate information they can act on.”
Hexoskin’s innovations are playing a vital role in medical trials and clinical research across cardiovascular disease, chronic condition management, pulmonary health, and rehabilitation. Clinicians and researchers increasingly rely on the company’s smart garments for continuous, remote monitoring of conditions such as COPD, asthma, and cardiac arrhythmias. Hexoskin is also approaching its first FDA clearance and has recently finalized key partnerships with pharmaceutical and clinical research organizations worldwide.
With all of their groundbreaking research, we are happy to welcome Hexoskin as one of the companies in the XLR8 PBC F25 Cohort. “Joining the XLR8 program came at the perfect time,” said Fournier. “We’re ready to scale, and Phoenix offers the right community, talent, and infrastructure to make that possible.”
With its blend of AI, data science, and smart garment technology, Hexoskin continues to redefine how health data is collected, analyzed, and applied — empowering patients and healthcare professionals to make better, faster decisions.
About the Phoenix Bioscience Core
The Phoenix Bioscience Core (PBC) is a 30-acre life sciences innovation district located in downtown Phoenix. It hosts Arizona’s three public research universities—Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona—as well as leading genomics pioneers like the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), part of the City of Hope, and the International Genomics Consortium. The PBC also collaborates with major healthcare systems, including Banner Health, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Dignity Health, HonorHealth, Phoenix VA, and Valleywise Health, alongside a growing number of emerging life science companies. This unique concentration of research scientists and healthcare professionals fosters unprecedented collaborations, advancing precision medicine from discovery to delivery. To learn more, please visit phoenixbiosciencecore.com.
About XLR8 PBC
XLR8 PBC is a program for scale-ready companies seeking the capital, experience, and validation to move to the next level. Focusing on helping founders/CEO’s tell an investment story, find experienced executives, and sign partner deals that matter most to investors. Ideal applicants have a validated product or solution, early traction in the market, and are seeking strategic partnerships, mentorship, and investor connections to accelerate their growth. To learn more, please visit phoenixbiosciencecore.com/xlr8
By: Madisson Simental | October 9, 2025