Business Remedies | Rajshree Upadhyaya | In today’s fast-paced world, mental health has become one of the most critical aspects of overall well-being. While awareness around mental wellness is steadily increasing, accessibility to effective tools and technologies remains limited. Against this backdrop, two visionary entrepreneurs, Riya Rustagi and Bhavya Madan, have stepped forward to redefine how individuals approach and manage mental health. Their brainchild, Neuphony, is India’s first wearable EEG-based (electroencephalogram) headband designed to measure brain activity, offering real-time insights into mental states.
The Spark Behind Neuphony
The story of Neuphony is deeply personal. Riya Rustagi lost her younger sister to encephalitis, a neurological disease, which left her determined to work on brain health. This personal tragedy fueled her desire to ensure that others could have access to tools that help track brain function before it is too late. Along with her co-founder, Bhavya Madan, she began exploring ways to combine neuroscience and technology to make mental wellness measurable and actionable.
Both founders realized that while physical fitness trackers had become common, there was no equivalent tool to track mental fitness in a reliable way. This gap in the market became the foundation of Neuphony’s mission: to make brain health as simple and accessible as monitoring heart rate or steps.
The Technology at Work
Neuphony’s wearable headband uses EEG sensors to record brainwave activity. The data is processed through advanced algorithms and presented on a mobile application in the form of focus scores, relaxation levels, and stress indicators. With guided meditation, neuro-feedback, and personalized insights, Neuphony helps users actively improve their mental state.
What makes the product unique is its ability to provide quantifiable data on something as intangible as mental health. Unlike generic wellness apps, Neuphony empowers individuals to see how their brain responds in real time and track progress over time. This blend of hardware and software has positioned Neuphony as a pioneer in the neurotech space in India.
Challenges on the Entrepreneurial Journey
As with any disruptive innovation, the road was not easy. The founders faced skepticism about whether such a product could be developed and adopted in India. Building accurate EEG-based devices required rigorous research, clinical validation, and overcoming hardware design challenges.
Moreover, mental health is still a subject that carries stigma in many parts of the country. Convincing people to invest in a device for tracking mental wellness meant breaking cultural barriers and spreading awareness. Despite these hurdles, Riya and Bhavya remained committed to their vision. Their persistence paid off when Neuphony began gaining traction among wellness coaches, corporate wellness programs, and individual users seeking better mental fitness solutions.
Recognition and Impact
Neuphony has quickly earned recognition as one of the most promising startups in the mental health technology space. The venture has been featured in multiple national and international forums and has received support from innovation-driven incubators. Its product has found applications not only for individuals but also for therapists, wellness coaches, and organizations that prioritize employee mental health.
The startup’s impact goes beyond numbers. It represents a shift in how society views mental health – moving it from being purely emotional and subjective to something that can be measured, improved, and managed scientifically.
Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, the founders aim to make Neuphony a household name in mental wellness. They envision a future where just as people check their blood pressure or heart rate regularly, they will also track their brain health as part of a daily routine. Expansion into international markets, deeper integration with AI-driven insights, and partnerships with healthcare institutions are on the horizon. Riya and Bhavya also see Neuphony as a platform for further innovations in neurotechnology, potentially aiding in early detection of neurological disorders and providing tools for mental health professionals worldwide.
The Emerging Entrepreneurial Spirit
What sets Riya Rustagi and Bhavya Madan apart is their courage to innovate in an underexplored sector and their determination to transform personal pain into purposeful progress. They exemplify the spirit of emerging entrepreneurs who are not just building businesses but also addressing pressing societal needs.
In a country where conversations about mental health are still evolving, Neuphony stands as a beacon of innovation, empathy, and empowerment. By bridging the gap between neuroscience and everyday wellness, Riya and Bhavya are truly transforming mental health care – one brainwave at a time.
Written and Edited By:
Rajshree Upadhyaya
