Meet A Woman Techie Turned Founder's Empathy-Led Innovation

By: Anupama Bhat, Founder & CEO, Miraii.ai

Anupama Bhat is a technology innovator known for shaping advanced AI and wearable solutions for eldercare. Recognized through Qualcomm’s QWEIN program, Britannia’s Her Startup Show, and the TiE50 Award, she brings deep expertise in AI and 5G technologies, strengthened by academic training at Stanford and UC institutions.

In an insightful conversation with Women Entrepreneurs Review, Anupama opens up about the personal moment that sparked her entrepreneurial journey, the empathy-led innovation behind Miraii.ai, and her perspective on women-driven change in India’s startup ecosystem. She also shares her thoughts on winning Britannia Marie Gold HerStartup Season 2.

To explore her full journey and reflections, read the complete article below.

You’ve been part of the early journeys of some remarkable startups before stepping into your own. What drew you towards creating a venture in the retail health and personal care space?

My journey into this space started with something deeply personal. When both my parents fell at home while alone, it shook me in a way I can’t fully describe. I felt helpless, and that moment stayed with me. It made me realise how vulnerable seniors are, and how little we’ve done as a society to support them in moments that truly matter. Even though I had spent years working in California’s hardware ecosystem, I knew I wanted to build something with purpose. That incident became the spark, pushing me toward creating a tech solution that genuinely improves people’s safety, dignity, and independence as they age.

That transition from being part of a growth journey to building your own, how did you shape the vision of your startup to meet evolving consumer aspirations in this segment?

Moving from contributing to other companies’ growth to building something of my own forced me to think deeply about what people genuinely need, not just what technology can do. After returning to India, I realised that my niche technical skills didn’t perfectly align with the local ecosystem, so I stopped trying to fit in and instead carved out my own problem to solve.

Seniors kept telling us what they wanted - comfort, simplicity, and reliability. That feedback shaped everything. We even pivoted from a wristband to a ring because overnight comfort mattered more than anything. My vision grew from truly listening - understanding people’s lived experiences and designing with empathy at the core.

In a market crowded with choices, how do you see technology acting not just as an enabler but as the very foundation of trust and personal connection with consumers?

For me, technology is not just an enabler - it’s the backbone of trust in eldercare. When families leave their parents alone at home, they’re essentially trusting us with someone they love deeply. That’s a responsibility I never take lightly.

The AI model predicts falls before they happen, but seniors don’t have to “use” anything complicated. A simple vibration, an intuitive SOS button, and seamless pairing with a phone make the experience feel human. When technology quietly protects someone without overwhelming them, it builds trust, connection, and emotional reassurance in a way nothing else can. Also, we have 3 patents applied for unique features of Miraii.ai like Ai voice companion on the smart ring, AI fall prediction and SOS button on a smart ring, 

As a founder & CTO, how do you approach innovation balancing product functionality with the emotional side of what people seek in health and self-care products?

Innovation, for me, starts with empathy. Seniors don’t want another device they need to learn; they want to feel safe, comfortable, and respected. That’s why we spent months perfecting the ring’s design so it felt natural, non-intrusive, and easy to wear even at night.

At the same time, we pushed ourselves technically—refining our AI to reduce false alerts and even anticipate falls before they occur. That combination of emotional sensitivity and engineering rigor is what makes a product meaningful. I always remind myself that behind every feature is someone’s parent or grandparent. When you keep that human connection alive, innovation naturally aligns with care.

Having been a winner at Marie HerStartup Season 2, how do you see your journey reflecting the changing face of women-led innovation in India?

Being recognised as a winner of Britannia Marie Gold HerStartup Season 2 has been one of the most defining moments of my journey. The programme truly lives up to its promise of supporting women founders, and winning the ₹10 lakh grant gave Miraii.ai the crucial push we needed to move from prototype to production with confidence.

I’ve seen the ecosystem slowly shift, creating more room for women to lead with purpose and innovation. My journey reflects this encouraging change, where persistence is being met with real opportunities.

LAST WORD: Message for Women Leaders Who Want to Build Purposeful Businesses

I’ve learned that building a purposeful business requires listening to your instincts, even when the world doubts you. There were so many moments when things felt overwhelming or progress seemed invisible, but consistency really does compound over time.

I’d tell women entrepreneurs to invest in building a strong network and seek mentorship; it opens doors you didn’t even know existed. And most importantly, own your voice. Experiences, including your challenges, give you a unique lens that the world needs. If something feels meaningful to you, pursue it wholeheartedly. The right support, the right moment of validation -like Season 2 of the Britannia Marie Gold HerStartup OTT show win, often arrives when you’re courageous enough to keep going.