Neopenda

Neopenda is a medical technology company that designs needs-based medical devices for emerging markets, beginning with neonatal care. Its stated premise is that conventional medical equipment is not designed for most of the world's population and frequently fails in resource-constrained health facilities because of constraints such as unstable power, limited internet access, space limitations and the unavailability of spare parts. The company frames its mission around neonatal mortality, citing 2.6 million newborn deaths in the first month of life each year, 98% of them in the developing world and 80% of them preventable.

The company's first product is neoGuard, a clinical-grade, wearable 4-in-1 vital signs monitor that continuously measures pulse rate, respiratory rate, SpO2 and temperature and delivers data in real time so clinicians are alerted to patients in distress. Neopenda positions neoGuard against traditional multiparameter patient monitors and spot-checking tools used in low-resource settings, with the goal of improving patient outcomes, supporting healthcare providers and generating data for stakeholders.

Neopenda is structured as a public benefit corporation and operates as a social enterprise, reinvesting a majority of its profits to support sustainability, extend its reach and advance its mission. It is led by co-founders Sona Shah (CEO) and Teresa Cauvel (CTO), and its team spans customer success, Android and embedded software engineering, supply chain and quality, and sales. A board of advisors includes faculty from Columbia University, Makerere University School of Public Health, NYU College of Global Public Health, UC San Diego and the TB Alliance.