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Improving outcomes for newborns remains a critical priority for health systems around the world, particularly in settings where access to specialized monitoring equipment and clinical resources is limited. Conditions such as neonatal sepsis and respiratory distress require early identification, yet traditional monitoring systems can be expensive, complex, and difficult to deploy at scale.
This challenge was highlighted during the AI for Good Innovation Factory India 2025, held at the India Mobile Congress in New Delhi, where leading startups presented AI-powered solutions addressing global health and societal needs. The winning startup of this session was Nemocare Wellness Pvt Ltd, an Indian health-tech startup headquartered in Hyderabad and founded at the Center for Healthcare Entrepreneurship (CfHE) at IIT Hyderabad. Led by Co-Founder and CEO Manoj Sanker, the company is developing clinical-grade AI-powered wearables designed to support timely and accurate distress detection in newborns.
AI-enabled wearables for early distress detection
Nemocare’s flagship solution, Nemocare Raksha, combines non-invasive wearable technology with an AI-backed patient management platform. The system augments clinical hemodynamic monitoring by identifying early digital markers of distress in newborn babies, supporting clinicians in making faster and more informed decisions.
Rather than replacing medical staff, the platform is designed to act as a clinical decision-support tool. Through continuous monitoring and predictive analytics, it helps detect potential complications earlier, enabling healthcare providers to intervene before symptoms become severe. The company describes this approach as a shift toward more data-driven diagnostics and proactive care in neonatal medicine.
The platform also integrates with hospital workflows through a centralized dashboard, allowing healthcare professionals to monitor multiple newborns simultaneously. In resource-constrained environments where nurse-to-patient ratios can be high, such systems aim to support clinical teams by prioritizing alerts and highlighting infants who may require immediate attention.
Addressing neonatal health challenges in resource-limited settings
Nemocare’s work is shaped by the realities of neonatal care in emerging markets, where limited infrastructure and staffing constraints can affect early detection of life-threatening conditions. The company notes that neonatal sepsis remains a significant contributor to newborn morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in developing country settings.
“We soon hope to be a part of a world where no child ever dies of a cause that is completely preventable. There will be health equity for every newborn irrespective of their place of birth,” said Manoj Sanker.
Through its AI-enabled Neonate Management platform, Nemocare seeks to support clinicians with data-driven insights that can improve clinical outcomes while also helping to optimize antibiotic use. By identifying potential signs of distress earlier, the system aims to assist healthcare providers in making more targeted treatment decisions. The wearable device also supports monitoring during Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), a practice involving skin-to-skin contact that is vital for preterm infants but can be challenging to implement in hospitals without wireless monitoring solutions. Continuous monitoring during KMC allows clinicians to maintain oversight while encouraging practices that support neonatal development.
Building solutions rooted in real-world experience
Nemocare’s journey began in India, where the company has deployed its technology across multiple states. Founder Manoj Sanker, originally from Bangalore, leads a team focused on developing AI-enabled monitoring solutions designed for real-world neonatal care settings. The company highlights challenges such as high nurse-to-patient ratios and the need to convert existing hospital beds into ICU-grade monitoring environments.
The startup’s approach reflects a broader effort to democratize access to high-quality neonatal care. By combining AI, IoT, and wearable technologies, Nemocare aims to make advanced monitoring capabilities more accessible beyond large tertiary hospitals. The company describes its goal as enabling any hospital bed to be upgraded with ICU-grade monitoring capabilities, supporting more consistent care across different clinical settings.
Navigating challenges in clinical adoption and scaling
Like many AI-driven healthcare startups, Nemocare faces challenges related to clinical adoption, data governance, and deployment in low-resource environments. Building trust among healthcare professionals is a key priority, as clinicians must feel confident using AI-generated alerts alongside traditional monitoring practices.
The company emphasizes the importance of maintaining a human-in-the-loop approach, positioning AI as a decision-support tool rather than a replacement for medical staff. Ensuring algorithms are trained on diverse datasets is also central to its mission, helping reduce bias and support equitable outcomes across different populations.
Scaling such technology requires balancing innovation with rigorous validation, regulatory alignment, and collaboration with hospitals and healthcare systems. For Nemocare, this process involves continuous engagement with clinicians, researchers, and partners to refine the platform and expand its reach responsibly.
Advancing newborn care through global collaboration
Nemocare joined the AI for Good Innovation Factory to showcase its work on a global platform and connect with partners who share its commitment to equitable healthcare innovation. The program provides opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and international visibility, helping startups scale solutions that address pressing societal challenges.
As the winner of the AI for Good Innovation Factory India 2025 at India Mobile Congress, Nemocare will head to the AI for Good Innovation Factory Grand Finale 2026 during the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva. There, the team will present its AI-powered neonatal monitoring platform alongside other global finalists to a community of experts, investors, and healthcare leaders working at the intersection of technology and equitable health innovation.
From hospital wards in India to the international stage, Nemocare is working toward a future where advanced technology supports earlier detection, more efficient care, and improved outcomes for newborns everywhere.
