Robert (Rob) S. Cooley Jr. wants to change how we think about sleep.
The Wilmington, North Carolina-based entrepreneur is the CEO of Nuream, a neurodata science company and “sleep tech” startup developing fabric-as-a-sensor solutions. Nuream’s technology is looking to measure and analyze brain activity, providing users with more insight on their sleep.
Traditionally, those struggling with sleep problems have to go into a sleep clinic and get wired up in order to get specific diagnoses. But Cooley and the team behind Nuream are working to make it so that their non-invasive neurotechnology can be used daily from the comforts of a user’s home.
“We want to provide not just more data, but the right data in a very actionable, insightful manner,” he told Hypepotamus.
From Military Service To The Startup World
The sleep-focused mission of the startup is personal for Cooley.
A chemistry and chemical engineering graduate of West Point, Cooley built his career both in the military and civilian worlds. After leaving active duty, he worked in the BioTech and life sciences industries. He was the Director of New Ventures at Philips Medical Systems and a Manager at Deloitte Consulting. He also served as the Army Reserve Command Chief of Staff at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Simply put, Cooley said he has consistently struggled with sleep.
“I don’t know if it’s the 37 years I spent in the military or my time in startups,” he told Hypepotamus. Or if it is just a byproduct of living in today’s society. Or likely, a combination of those things.
Now, sleep can have a huge impact on how our next day unfolds. But it can also greatly impact health for years down the road. Cooley said that “sleep changes are leading indicators of the most debilitating neurodegenerative diseases” or mental health challenges.
What’s Next For Nuream
Earlier this year Nuream announced it has received support from the Advanced Functional Fabrics of America, Inc. (AFFOA). The Nuream team is looking at getting into the market with its first smart pillowcase and dashboard in 2026. But the team has already launched its Nuream direct-to-consumer ecommerce business, which is a line of mattresses, bed bases, sheets, and pillows.
While Nuream is developing its technology for the general consumer. But Cooley said that there is a unique opportunity to specifically help the military and first responder communities, who often struggle with sleep problems and disorders at higher rates.
Cooley is building Nuream alongside fellow co-founders Nathan Munton (COO) Lauren Munton (Chief People Officer).
On top of its technology and ecommerce work, Nuream has also launched a nonprofit committed to advancing mental health through sleep.