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The Startup: CaroRhythm
The Founder: Nisha Maheshwari (Tandon '25)
Participated In: Tech Venture Program, Startup Accelerator Program, Female Founders Fellowship, Startup Coaching
In the dynamic landscape of medical technology, PhD candidate Nisha Maheshwari is making an immediate an impact as the co-founder of CaroRhythm. The startup is revolutionizing stroke care through a non-invasive medical device that provides point-of-care carotid artery monitoring and stimulation, improving the quality of life of stroke survivors.
In February, Nisha and CaroRhythm completed their six-month journey in the NYU Tech Venture Accelerator (TVA), a rigorous program for NYU deeptech ventures on the path to research commercialization. The Accelerator saw seven teams make significant strides in bringing their groundbreaking innovations to market through specialized workshops, 1:1 mentorship, and up to $50,000 in grant funding provided by NYU’s Office of the Provost.
Academic and Professional Background
Before embarking on their doctoral journey at NYU, Nisha earned a master's in Biomedical Engineering from Columbia University. Their academic pursuits have consistently centered on the design of non-invasive or minimally invasive medical devices aimed at diagnosing and treating various diseases. Notably, they have worked on developing a low-cost system for detecting and quantifying peripheral arterial disease (PAD), enhancing its clinical utility and user-friendliness.
The Origins of CaroRhythm
In collaboration with Lokesh Sharma (Tandon ‘24), Nisha co-founded CaroRhythm. The company's flagship product, CaroSense, is a non-invasive, wearable device that continuously monitors blood flow to the brain. Complemented by the CaroRhythm Dynamic Monitoring Service, this technology alerts both patients and physicians to high stroke risks before physiological symptoms manifest. This proactive approach empowers physicians with critical data for treatment planning and grants patients real-time insights into their vascular health.
Accolades and Recognition
CaroRhythm's innovative approach has garnered significant recognition. In April 2024, the team triumphed over more than 90 other startups to win the $75,000 Grand Prize and Audience Choice Award in the Healthcare & Biomedical Venture Competition at the 2023-2024 NYU Entrepreneurs Challenge.
Further solidifying their entrepreneurial journey, Nisha was accepted into the Fall 2024 cohort of the NYU Female Founders Fellowship. The Fellowship provides resources and mentorship to founders within the NYU community who are committed to advancing gender equity in entrepreneurship.
Nisha also participated in the NYU Female Founders Forum on Feb. 21 as a distinguished speaker on the Founders Panel, discussing scaling strategies, founder challenges, and being an early-stage entrepreneur while still in college.
Vision for the Future
With a clear mission to enhance stroke care standards, Nisha and the CaroRhythm team are poised to make significant strides in the medical field. Their commitment to bridging the gap between patients and physicians through innovative technology underscores a broader vision of accessible and effective healthcare solutions.
To learn more about CaroRhythm, follow them on LinkedIn!