BEND, Ore.—Sex tech company Lora DiCarlo has been awarded a $99,637 Business Oregon Enhanced Phase 0 Grant for the commercialization of Osé, a product designed for hands-free blended orgasms.
The announcement was made by the company at SXSW 2019.
“The program we used fills a critical capital gap for Oregon startups, working with companies to develop and launch new technologies without diluting equity. Lora DiCarlo exhibited some really innovative engineering, solid research, and market potential,” said Nathan Buehler, communications and marketing manager at Business Oregon. “The company’s strong program application and its R&D history with Oregon State University signal Lora DiCarlo has a great runway in front of them. We’re happy to work with this Oregon startup, which is already driving towards commercialization and creating jobs in Oregon.”
Using advanced micro-robotics Osé mimics the sensations of a human mouth, tongue, and fingers, for an experience that feels remarkably like a real partner. This is the first time that any state government has recognized sex tech in such a way, illustrating that the State of Oregon sees the mainstream acceptance of devices for women’s sexual health and the potential for quality job creation in the commercialization of R&D in sexual health technology.
“The State of Oregon’s recognition is significant because it acknowledges the mainstream acceptance of sexual pleasure devices and the economic potential of female entrepreneurs, like myself,” said Lora Haddock, Founder and CEO at Lora DiCarlo. “Pair that with the opportunity to help amplify us in our mission to bring the topic of female sexual health and wellness to the masses. The Oregon Innovation fund grant will help us as we commercialize Osé, while also generating more jobs in Oregon. We are beyond excited to receive this year’s grant.”
Lora DiCarlo recently received international attention for its innovative technology when the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas awarded the company an Innovation Award in robotics, but then withdrew the award simply because the product was sexual in nature, notwithstanding that it had been developed in conjunction with a leading university robotics lab at Oregon State University. Lora DiCarlo’s remarkable product development and disruptive presence at CES firmly landed the company in the spotlight on the topic of women’s sexual health and wellness. The company joins the battle with many female-lead companies driving a cultural change and conversation. This state grant helps bring the topic of female sexual health out of the shadows by recognizing sex tech as a legitimate engine for economic growth.
Culturally, the continued dismantling of the stigma around sexual health and wellness allows the opening of markets for female/vagina centered sexual health companies that have previously been closed, such as marketing on social media platforms. Lora DiCarlo hopes to end the double standard whereby advertising men’s sexual health products, such as erectile dysfunction drugs, have been allowed, but women’s sexual health products are stigmatized. Further, this news implies the potential for a multi-billion dollar market in sex tech.
For more, visit LoraDiCarlo.com.
