NIRAMAI: Revolutionizing Breast Cancer Detection with AI
- Vansh Arora
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
In a world where early detection can mean the difference between life and death, one Indian startup is quietly transforming how we approach one of the deadliest diseases—breast cancer. Say hello to NIRAMAI Health Analytix, a Bengaluru-based startup that is redefining cancer diagnostics with non-invasive, AI-driven thermal imaging.
Founded in 2016, NIRAMAI stands for Non-Invasive Risk Assessment with Machine Intelligence—and it’s more than just a clever acronym. It’s a mission to make cancer detection safer, earlier, and more accessible, especially for women in underserved communities.
Behind the Innovation: A Story of Purpose and Expertise
The journey of NIRAMAI began with Dr. Geetha Manjunath and Nidhi Mathur, two women combining deep technical knowledge with a personal mission. Dr. Geetha, a former researcher at HP Labs and Xerox with a Ph.D. in AI, was driven by the pain of losing loved ones to late-stage cancer. Nidhi brought the critical edge of business and product development to ensure the science reached the real world.
Together, they built Thermalytix®, an AI-powered platform that analyzes thermal images to detect breast abnormalities. It’s:
Radiation-free
Contactless
Portable
Effective for all age groups, especially younger women with dense breast tissue—where mammography often fails
This makes NIRAMAI’s tech a game changer, particularly in rural India where traditional diagnostic tools are often inaccessible or uncomfortable.
Recognized Around the World
NIRAMAI isn’t just innovating—it’s leading. The startup’s growing list of achievements is a testament to its impact:
World Bank Global Women’s HealthTech Award (2022)
National Startup Award (2020)
Gold at Hack Osaka (2019)
They also achieved a major regulatory milestone: U.S. FDA clearance for their SMILE-100 system, validating its clinical safety and paving the way for global adoption.
Backed by $14.7 million in funding from top names like pi Ventures, Ankur Capital, 500 Startups, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, NIRAMAI is all set to scale their mission.
Looking Ahead: More Than Just Breast Cancer
The team isn’t stopping here.
NIRAMAI is now expanding the use of its AI-based thermal analytics to other medical areas—including:
Detection of parasitic infections
Screening for respiratory diseases like COVID-19
Randomized controlled trials to benchmark against traditional screening tools
With CE marking, ISO, and MDSAP certifications, their global expansion is already underway across Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Real Impact, One Scan at a Time
At SK A&G, we’re inspired by startups like NIRAMAI that blend compassion and computation to change the world. They’re not just building diagnostic tools—they’re creating health equity.
Whether it's a small clinic in a remote village or a top-tier hospital, NIRAMAI’s Thermalytix is saving lives—early, painlessly, and affordably.
Register for our Student Entrepreneurs Bootcamp here and win the golden opportunity to grow your business into an upcoming Unicorn!
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