Advancing infant safety with novel monitoring solution: a story of Julia Wilk

Overheating and unsafe sleep positions, such as placing a baby on their stomach or side, are risk factors that can increase the likelihood of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Creating a safe sleep environment is a top priority for parents. While new health technologies, including camera-based and non-contact vital sign monitors, are becoming more popular, many young parents often experience the stress of false alarms.

Julia Wilk, CEO and Co-Founder of neenCare, is making waves with a revolutionary approach to preventing SIDS. neenCare combines hospital-grade measurement technology with user-friendly wearables, specifically designed for home use. Through continuous monitoring of vital signs, including pulse, blood oxygen levels, body temperature and respiratory movements, the system provides real-time data directly to parents’ mobile devices – holistic monitoring with no false alarms.

Julia’s dedication to preventing SIDS led her to take second place in the EIT Manufacturing RIS LEADERS Competition 2024. The programme was designed for women innovators from emerging markets under the EIT’s Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) and supports them in developing solutions that demonstrate strong environmental, economic and societal impact.

A personal experience becomes a healthcare innovation

The inspiration behind neenCare stems from a personal experience in Julia’s family. After witnessing the stress and anxiety caused to young parents by unreliable infant monitoring devices. “When a little girl was born, her parents were incredibly stressed about monitoring her health, especially since they were using a device that kept alarming for no apparent reason,” Julia explains, reflecting on the catalyst that sparked neenCare’s creation.

Motivated to make a real difference in infant care, neenCare was born out of the mission to provide a reliable, accurate and easy-to-use monitoring system that would give parents the confidence they need to protect their newborns and infants. The development process involved close collaboration with neonatologists, ensuring adherence to the highest medical standards.

Early in development, Julia faced significant challenges regarding the product’s design. Taking a proactive approach, she partnered with the Łukasiewicz Research Network – ITECH Institute of Innovation and Technology to conduct workshops and in-depth interviews with parents. The interviews helped her gain a deeper understanding of parents’ concerns, preferences and the emotional aspects tied to monitoring their infant’s health. This process led to a much better solution that meets the technical needs and also resonates with parents on a personal level.

Building the foundation for growth

Reflecting on her experience in the RIS LEADERS Competition, Julia found it “incredibly valuable and eye-opening”. The pitching workshops helped her gain crucial insights into effectively communicating neenCare’s mission and value proposition to resonate with investors and potential partners. And the combination of funding and mentorship helped her accelerate the development timeline, pushing the team closer to preparing their first production batch.

Being part of the RIS LEADERS community was also an opportunity to create a network of women innovators who support and inspire each other, making it an empowering experience for anyone looking to make an impact in their field. Julia’s advice to other women entrepreneurs reflects her journey: “Never doubt yourself. If you have a feeling or an idea, trust it and go with it… It’s completely possible to feel both afraid and brave at the same time. Don’t let fear hold you back — just do it!”

New plans and new features

Julia envisions a future where neenCare leads the way in infant health monitoring. The team is currently collaborating with hardware designers to ensure their device is functional, aesthetically pleasing and comfortable for daily use. Next up are new features that will allow parents to connect with family doctors for enhanced medical support.