Third-place winner at the RESI Europe Innovator’s Pitch Challenge discusses their breakthrough anti-choking device and plans for market launch.
Interview with Iñigo Almazán Tife, Industrial Design Engineer of Opportunity Health by Caitlin Dolegowski, Marketing Manager, LSN
 Iñigo Almazán Tife |
 Caitlin Dolegowski |
We sat down with Iñigo Almazán Tife, from Opportunity Health to learn more about the inspiration behind their life-saving innovation, their experience at RESI Europe, and what lies ahead for the company. Opportunity Health recently took third place in the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge at RESI Europe, and their technology is generating attention for good reason.
Caitlin Dolegowski (CD): Tell us about the origin of Opportunity Health and the innovation behind your solution.
Iñigo Almazán Tife (IT): Opportunity Health began with a deeply personal event. Our CEO, Germán, was inspired to create this company after a frightening incident involving his brother, Txema. Txema began choking during a family dinner. Thankfully, their father had some knowledge of how to perform a life-saving intervention and managed to save him. But the family recognized it could have ended very differently—had Theo been alone, the outcome might have been fatal. That moment sparked the idea behind our solution.
The result is Yarnasa, the first automatic, self-applicable anti-choking device. It’s designed for emergency situations and intended to be simple and intuitive—something that can be used in the moment, even by the person who is choking.
CD: Can the device be used on both adults and children?
IT: At this stage, our focus is on adults and individuals over the age of 12. This decision is driven by data: around 90% of fatal choking cases occur in individuals over the age of 65. Once we validate the product for adults, our plan is to begin trials to adapt and validate its use for children as well.
CD: What stage of development and fundraising is Opportunity Health in now?
IT: We’re currently patent pending and preparing for CE marking in the European market. Our aim is to launch commercially in Europe by mid-2027. The regulatory process for medical devices in Europe typically takes about two years, so we’re laying the groundwork now.
In parallel, we’re looking ahead to securing FDA clearance for the U.S. market. However, we currently need additional resources to begin that process. One of our near-term goals is to secure funding to pursue FDA certification in parallel with our European regulatory strategy.
CD: How does your device compare to existing solutions?
IT: There are other anti-choking devices on the market, but ours is fundamentally different. Most existing options require prior knowledge or physical effort from another person. That becomes problematic if, for example, the person assisting is also elderly or not physically capable.
Yarnasa is fully self-applicable and automatic. There’s no need for training or strength—just activate it, place it, and press a button. We’re offering a premium, highly innovative solution that redefines the category of anti-choking devices.
CD: You took third place in the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge at RESI Europe. What was your experience like?
IT: RESI Europe exceeded our expectations. It was incredibly well organized and offered a strong platform for networking. We met potential investors and collaborators who provided feedback not only on the product but also on company strategy and market approaches.
The only improvement we’d suggest is better alignment between registered investors and actual attendance. Some investors were only available virtually, which made coordination a bit challenging. But overall, it was a very positive experience.
CD: How was your experience with the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge itself?
IT: The Pitch Challenge gave us valuable exposure and feedback. Beyond the pitching session, being part of the exhibition hall allowed us to interact with a wide range of stakeholders. We had insightful conversations about go-to-market strategies across Europe and the U.S., which gave us a clearer roadmap for commercialization. We walked away with actionable insights and new connections.
CD: Did RESI Europe help you take any steps forward in your fundraising efforts?
IT: Yes, absolutely. We made new investor connections and followed up by sharing our deck. We’re now in active conversations. Fundraising is a long process, of course, but RESI helped us move things forward.
CD: What are your goals for the next year or two?
IT: In the coming months, we’re focused on finalizing our prototype for industrial production, targeting September of this year. After that, we plan to launch an investment round by the end of 2025 or early 2026. The goal of that round is to fund the company through the final development phase and launch the product in market.
CD: What advice would you give other companies preparing to pitch at RESI?
IT: I wouldn’t call myself an expert in pitching, but from our experience, I’d say preparation is key. Be clear about the main message you want to convey. And most of all, enjoy the event—be open to conversation. You never know who you’ll meet, and those connections could play a vital role in your company’s journey.
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