We open Season 3 by chatting with Dr Emerson Keenan, co-founder of Kali Healthcare. Kali Healthcare is out to transform the way we monitor pregnancy, an apt subject as Emerson and I have been working to tee up this conversation for about 9 months!

We chat about the poor and complex current state of pregnancy monitoring, how risky pregnancy can be, Emerson’s PhD research that led to Kali, the challenges of translating research into commercial opportunities, before wrapping up with a vision to create better human connections.

If you are interested in the intersection of engineering and healthcare, I highly recommend listening to former guest Cameron Higgins as well.

Show notes

[00:01:40] - [First question] – What Emerson is trying to do

[00:02:13] - Pregnancy monitoring for beginners

[00:03:48] - What could go wrong without adequate monitoring

[00:04:38] - Who is most at risk?

[00:05:50] - Emerson’s combined engineering and healthcare background

[00:06:53] - Emerson’s PhD research simulations and their relevance to Kali

[00:09:11] - Practical testing of Kali prototypes

[00:10:53] - “Aha” moments transitioning from research into a startup

[00:11:38] - Thinking about business models and commercialization

[00:12:55] - How a Kali product might be used day-to-day

[00:13:38] - Value accural between end users versus actual customers

[00:14:31] - Expanding out of the hospital they conducted research in

[00:15:20] - Kali’s value proposition in Emerson’s own words

[00:16:45] - Life as a startup founder and negotiating regulatory processes

[00:18:20] - Advice for other medtech founders

[00:19:46] - Product development over the next 12 months

[00:20:41] - The desire to work with other researchers

[00:21:40] - Additional expertise needed

[00:22:27] - Emerson’s vision of the future

[00:22:53] - A committment to keep listening

[00:23:51] - Socials and contact info

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