Biography of Manoj Sanker: Founder & CEO of Nemocare Raksha- Entrepreneur
Biography of Manoj Sanker
Founders with a Vision
Manoj Sanker, the co-founder of Nemocare, have dedicated
their careers to improving neonatal and maternal healthcare. Their journey
began in 2016, when they came together with a shared vision: to address the
challenges in newborn care. With a focus on using innovative technology to
reduce neonatal and maternal deaths, they created Nemocare, a healthcare
startup developing smart wearable devices to monitor newborn health.
The Genesis of Nemocare
Nemocare was born out of the entrepreneurial spirit of its
founders, Manoj, an engineer, and Pratyusha, a designer. They both came from
strong technical backgrounds, having studied engineering and design. Their
partnership led to the creation of Nemocare, which developed its first product,
an intelligent and connected platform designed to monitor the health of
newborns. The platform uses smart wearables to track vital parameters like
heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, and oxygen saturation in real-time.
A Life-Saving Solution
The Nemocare Raksha is the flagship product of the company,
a wearable device that is a game-changer in neonatal healthcare. Designed to be
attached to a newborn’s leg, this clinical-grade device tracks essential health
parameters and sends them to a central dashboard where doctors and caregivers
can monitor them remotely. The device helps detect potential health issues
early, which can significantly reduce neonatal mortality by allowing timely
intervention.
The Need for Innovation in Healthcare
Each year, millions of newborns face health risks due to
premature birth, low birth weight, and other illnesses. In India alone, 4 lakh
newborns die annually, many of which could be saved with timely intervention.
Nemocare’s mission is to address this critical issue by providing an
affordable, accessible, and efficient solution that ensures the survival of
babies who are at risk, especially in rural and underprivileged areas where
healthcare infrastructure is limited.
Shark Tank India Pitch
Nemocare’s founders took their startup to the popular Indian
reality show, Shark Tank India, seeking an investment of ₹1 crore in exchange
for 2.5% equity in their company. The pitch highlighted the impact their
product could have on newborn healthcare, particularly in areas with limited
access to high-end medical facilities like incubators. They emphasized the
potential of their device to save countless lives and bring about a significant
change in neonatal care.
Challenges and Feedback from the Sharks
During the pitch, the judges on Shark Tank India expressed
admiration for the founders’ intentions and the technology behind the product.
Radhika Gupta, one of the sharks, shared her personal experience with
incubators, emphasizing the importance of the product. However, she noted that
the company was pre-revenue, and she did not invest in such ventures. Ritesh
Agarwal, another judge, expressed concerns about the company’s focus on both
impact and commercial growth. He advised the founders to scale gradually and
focus on building a strong business foundation.
Offers and Negotiations
Despite some of the sharks opting out, Nemocare’s pitch
attracted attention. Peyush Bansal, the co-founder of Lenskart, and Vineeta
Singh, the co-founder of Sugar Cosmetics, both saw potential in the startup.
Peyush offered ₹50 lakh for 5% equity, with an additional ₹50 lakh as debt at
8% interest for one year. Vineeta made a similar offer, also proposing ₹50 lakh
for 5% equity, plus ₹50 lakh as debt with interest.
Biography of Manoj Sanker: Founder & CEO of Nemocare Raksha- Entrepreneur/ age/net worth/investor/startup/neonatal & maternal healthcare/Nemocare Raksh
A Deal with Aman Gupta
The pitch took an exciting turn when Aman Gupta, the
co-founder of boAt, made his offer. He proposed ₹20 lakh for 1% equity, along
with ₹80 lakh in debt at 10% interest for two years. The founders initially
sought ₹1 crore for 2.5% equity but countered Aman’s offer, suggesting ₹20 lakh
for 0.67% equity and ₹80 lakh in debt with similar terms. Aman accepted the
counteroffer, marking a successful deal for Nemocare.
Impact of the Shark Tank Experience
Securing the deal with Aman Gupta was a turning point for
Nemocare. Manoj and Pratyusha were thrilled with the outcome, as it not only
provided financial support but also gave them valuable exposure to a larger
audience. The feedback from the sharks was instrumental in shaping the
company’s direction, and the experience refined their business model and vision
for the future.
Global Recognition and Support
Nemocare’s efforts have garnered significant recognition and
support from global organizations. The company has received funding from major
agencies like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Indian Government’s
BIRAC initiative, Qualcomm, and Google. These partnerships have helped Nemocare
grow and scale its innovative solutions for neonatal and maternal health in
India and other developing countries.
Challenges of Scaling the Technology
As Nemocare continues to grow, scaling its technology to
meet the needs of the global market presents both opportunities and challenges.
The company aims to gain approval from international regulatory bodies such as
the US FDA, which is a crucial step for entering developed markets. Balancing
the need for rapid scaling with regulatory compliance is a challenge the
founders are working to overcome.
The Role of AI in Healthcare
One of the most innovative aspects of Nemocare’s product is
its use of artificial intelligence (AI) to predict and detect health issues in
newborns. The AI platform analyzes the data from the wearable devices,
providing caregivers with early warnings of potential distress conditions. This
predictive capability is vital in preventing neonatal deaths and ensuring
timely medical intervention.
A Game-Changer for Newborn Care
Nemocare’s wearable technology represents a significant
advancement in the field of neonatal care. By making monitoring more accessible
and efficient, the device offers a solution that could revolutionize healthcare
delivery, especially in low-resource settings. The device’s portability and
ease of use make it suitable for both hospitals and home care, providing
flexibility for caregivers and healthcare providers alike.
Future Plans and Growth
Looking ahead, Nemocare is focused on expanding its reach
and improving its technology. The company plans to scale its operations to meet
the growing demand for neonatal healthcare solutions in India and globally.
With the backing of investors and strategic partners, Nemocare is poised to
make a significant impact on the healthcare industry, improving outcomes for
newborns and mothers alike.
The Road to Success
For Manoj and Pratyusha, the road ahead is filled with
promise and challenges. Their journey from a startup to an internationally
recognized company has been marked by hard work, innovation, and a commitment
to saving lives. With the momentum gained from Shark Tank India and the
continued support of their investors, Nemocare is on track to achieve its
mission of reducing neonatal and maternal mortality globally. Their story is a
testament to the power of innovation and entrepreneurship in healthcare.
A timeline for the birth and growth of Nemocare:
2016 - Manoj Sanker and Pratyusha Pareddy co-found Nemocare
with a vision to improve neonatal and maternal healthcare through innovative
technology.
2017 - The first product, the Nemocare Raksha, a wearable
device for monitoring newborn health, is developed.
2020 - The company pitches on Shark Tank India seeking ₹1
crore for 2.5% equity.
2020 - After intense negotiations, Nemocare secures a deal
with Aman Gupta for ₹20 lakh equity and ₹80 lakh in debt.
2021 - The company gains global recognition, receiving
funding from organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,
Qualcomm, and Google.
2023 - Nemocare aims for international regulatory approvals
(such as US FDA) to expand globally.
2024 - The company continues to scale, using AI to enhance
its wearable technology for early detection of neonatal health issues.
Future - Nemocare plans to expand operations globally,
revolutionizing neonatal care with affordable, accessible health solutions.
