Neopenda
Founded
2015 in Columbia University (initially), USA — Neopenda was started as a biomedical engineering project focused on developing affordable, needs‑based medical devices for underserved populations in emerging markets, especially in Sub‑Saharan Africa. The company has since evolved into a public benefit corporation with product development and market expansion oriented toward low‑resource healthcare settings.
Founders & Leadership
Sona Shah — Co‑Founder & CEO (biomedical engineer and global health innovator)
Teresa Cauvel — Co‑Founder & CTO (biomedical engineer and product technology lead)
Location
Chicago, Illinois, USA — with operational reach and deployments in multiple African countries including Kenya, Uganda, and Ghana, focusing on improving clinical outcomes in resource‑limited health facilities.
Industry
HealthTech / MedTech / Medical Devices — developing connected medical monitoring solutions tailored for low‑resource healthcare environments.
Funding Stage
Seedstage — Neopenda has raised seed funding (including ~US$1.04M) from investors such as Axel Johnson Inc and SUNU Capital and has pursued equity crowdfunding/community investment rounds to support clinical pilots, commercialization, product expansion, and geographic scaling.
Overview
Neopenda is a mission‑driven health‑technology company building affordable, context‑appropriate medical devices designed for emerging markets where traditional equipment is too expensive or unsuitable. Its flagship product neoGuard™ is a wearable, wireless vital signs monitor that continuously tracks pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen saturation, and temperature. The technology helps clinicians in resource‑constrained health facilities provide timely care to vulnerable patients, markedly improving neonatal and general patient outcomes.
Core Features & Capabilities
neoGuard™ Wearable Monitor: A wireless device measuring multiple vital signs simultaneously, optimized for settings with intermittent power and limited infrastructure.
Real‑Time Alerts: Continuous monitoring that alerts healthcare workers when patients’ vital signs fall outside safe ranges.
Low‑Resource Design: Designed to operate reliably without stable power or internet, making it suitable for rural and underserved hospitals.
Clinical Deployment & Support: Training, implementation support, and service channels for hospitals and clinics in Kenya, Uganda, and Ghana.
Health Impact & Data Insight: Enables better patient care and clinical decision‑making in areas with limited monitoring tools.
Target Market
Public & Private Healthcare Facilities in resource‑limited settings across Africa (e.g., Kenya, Uganda, Ghana).
Neonatal & Pediatric Wards seeking low‑cost continuous monitoring solutions.
Global Health NGOs and Donors focusing on maternal and neonatal health interventions.
Government Health Systems aiming to improve child mortality and clinical outcomes.
Value Proposition
Neopenda democratizes access to critical patient monitoring technology by providing affordable, reliable, and context‑appropriate devices designed for low‑resource healthcare environments. Its solutions enable clinicians to detect health deterioration early, reduce preventable deaths, and improve overall care outcomes where conventional medical equipment is often unavailable or unsuitable.