Health Monitoring solutions from Agtasa include SanketLife 2.0, SanketLife Pro Plus, Multivital 2.0, and Pulse Oximeters.
Continuous Innovation on Product Line & Ensuring Reachability Focus of Agtasa
From a personal health crisis to a pivotal role in healthcare technology, Neha Rastogi’s journey is marked by significant milestones. ‘Our focus is on continuous innovation, expanding our product line, and ensuring our lifesaving devices reach every corner of the globe,’ says Neha Rastogi, Co-founder of Agtasa.
With this mission, Agtasa is dedicated to providing healthcare assistance to individuals who are not technologically savvy. Their product range has evolved from home-lab prototypes to innovative solutions like SanketLife 2.0, SanketLife Pro Plus, Multivital 2.0, and Pulse Oximeters.
In an engaging conversation with FounderLabs, Neha Rastogi, who co-founded Agtasa with her husband Rahul Rastogi in 2013, shares their inspiring journey. It all began when Rahul’s father suffered a heart attack, highlighting the critical need for accessible cardiac monitoring devices for people unfamiliar with technology.
FounderLabs has always been at the forefront of highlighting startup founders and key ecosystem members. During a depth exploration with the founders of Agtasa, we have discovered the inspiring journey of Neha and Rahul Rastogi. Leveraging their backgrounds in electronics and telecommunications engineering, they created SanketLife.
SanketLife, a portable and user-friendly ECG device from Agtasa, exemplifies a blend of innovation, perseverance, and overcoming numerous challenges.
It has transformed from a home-based lab project into a recognized player in the healthcare technology sector. Our focus remains on continuous innovation, expanding our product line, and ensuring that our lifesaving devices reach every corner of the globe,” says Neha Rastogi.
FounderLabs: What are some of the major highlights you would share?
Neha Rastogi: We launched the Beta Version of SanketLife In 2016, after years of persistent effort and numerous iterations, we were ready to unveil the beta version of SanketLife. This was a significant milestone for us, marking our initial step into the healthcare market.
The beta version allowed us to gather critical feedback from early adopters and healthcare professionals, enabling us to refine and enhance the device’s functionality and reliability.
This phase was crucial in validating our concept and demonstrating the practicality and efficacy of our solution to potential investors and stakeholders.
This commercial launch was a pivotal moment, as it not only proved the viability of our product in the market but also helped us establish a foothold in the competitive healthcare technology industry.
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FounderLabs : Can you share some insights on innovation at Agtasa?
Neha Rastogi: Our device, Multivital, includes features such as blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, and temperature monitoring, meeting a wide range of healthcare needs, especially during critical times. From 2023 onwards. We have focused on continuous research and innovation, leading to the development of the H360 multipara-meter device.
We are leveraging AI and deep learning in H360 to enable more accurate results and predictions, enhancing features and accessibility for our customers. Our ongoing R&D efforts ensure our products remain at the forefront of healthcare technology, making a global impact.
FounderLabs: Can you tell us about the recent funding round led by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries?
Neha Rastogi: The funding round led by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries raised approximately $3.6 million. This has been instrumental in accelerating our research and development, scaling our manufacturing capabilities, and expanding our market presence. The success of this funding round solidifies our growth path and underscores the market’s trust and confidence in our vision and capabilities.
FounderLabs: Do you think India has a gender gap in funding? Studies indicate that women-led businesses face an unmet credit gap. Can you shed some light on this?
Neha Rastogi: At Agatsa, we’ve experienced challenges related to gender bias in funding. Women-led ventures often face additional hurdles to prove their credibility and the viability of their business ideas. Fortunately, having Rahul as a co-founder made it somewhat easier to convey the value and necessity of our products to investors, particularly for ongoing heart health issues.
Our perseverance and commitment have helped us navigate these obstacles. It’s crucial to raise awareness about the gender gap in funding and advocate for more inclusive and equitable funding practices.
Founder Labs: Do you think India has a gender gap in funding? Studies indicate that women-led businesses face an unmet credit gap. Can you shed some light on this?
Neha Rastogi: In my experience at Agatsa, as a woman entrepreneur, I have faced these challenges head-on. However, I have worked tirelessly to empower the women at Agatsa, fostering professional and personal growth.
We have cultivated a workplace culture filled with respect, understanding, and support, bridging the gender gap and maintaining a decorum of mutual respect and shared values.
This internal empowerment has been crucial in navigating external funding challenges. Many investors were skeptical about the efficacy of our compact device compared to traditional ECG machines. We had to persistently demonstrate the reliability and accuracy of SanketLife through rigorous medical validations and trials.
Key endorsements from respected institutions such as AIIMS Jodhpur, Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research in Bangalore, Narayana Health, and hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, and Jaypee Hospital in Noida played a crucial role.
Their recommendations and trust in our research and development efforts made our pitches more compelling to investors. This validated our product’s credibility and helped us secure the necessary funding to grow and innovate further.
Founder Labs : What is your advice for Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs
Neha Rastogi : For women stepping into entrepreneurship, it’s crucial to deeply believe in your vision and stay resilient against all odds. Building a robust network is key—actively seek mentors and connect with fellow entrepreneurs for guidance and support. It’s important to trust your instincts, remain adaptable to changes, and stay committed to your goals.
Persistence and passion are your biggest allies in achieving success. Expect ups and downs, but trust the process and maintain clear, focused goals for both yourself and your organization.
For Rahul and me, aligning our team around a common vision has been essential, as has our commitment to delivering the best to our customers. We are constantly innovating to make healthcare more accessible and easier to manage, driven by a deep sense of purpose and our commitment to making a meaningful impact.
Founder Labs : Please share your expansion Plans for Agtasa
Neha Rastogi : Agtasa is committed to continuous innovation and broadening our range of health monitoring devices to make advanced healthcare accessible to everyone. Our flagship product, SanketLife, is at the forefront of this mission, offering a 12-lead ECG without traditional leads or gels, thereby simplifying and democratizing heart health monitoring.
Key Areas of Focus for Growth and Expansion Include:
- Scaling Production Capabilities and Enhancing Device Functionality: Continuous improvement of our products is central to our mission. Agtasa is incorporating advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance device functionality. These advancements will enable more comprehensive health monitoring, providing users with more accurate and timely health insights.
- Expanding into International Markets: Agtasa aims is to extend our reach beyond the Indian market and bring our innovative health monitoring solutions to a global audience. This expansion will help us introduce our products to new markets and meet the growing demand for accessible healthcare technologies worldwide.
- Investing in R&D and Innovation: Staying at the forefront of healthcare technology requires continuous investment in research and development. We are focused on developing new devices that monitor a wider range of health parameters and provide more in-depth analysis. Our goal is to offer preventive solutions that help users maintain their health proactively.
Final Thoughts from Neha: The primary goal was to create a health monitoring solution and health care devices that was both comprehensive and easy to use, especially for the technologically less inclined, like the elderly citizens of our country.
We aimed to develop a ‘Made in India’ product that is inclusive and can be used globally, addressing the crucial problem of heart health monitoring for millions of people worldwide.
