South Asian Americans, Meghna Sharma, of Indian origin, and Tseten Gurung, of Nepali origin, won the 2024 Loudoun Innovation Challenge award in the Life Sciences Technology category for their company, VascRisk.
The Loudoun Economic Development team announced the winners during an awards gala held on December 5, 2024, at the Belmont Country Club in Ashburn, Virginia.
VascRisk, a Loudoun County firm, redefines “cardiovascular health management by integrating advanced scientific methods, and generative-AI with the power of personalized care.” Other winning companies of the Innovation Challenge included Emtel Energy in the Clean Technology Innovation category, Measured Risk in the Cyber and Defense Innovation category, SkyRFID in the Highly Specialized Innovation category, and noHack in the Industry Transformation Innovation category.
Sharma and Gurung were supported by two other Indian-origin women on VascRisk’s management team, Kavya Krishnan and Yashwini Krishnan, whose collective efforts played a key role in achieving this recognition. Sharma and Gurung were awarded a $15,000 cash prize, and a crystal trophy for their achievement.
Sharma told South Asian Herald, “We are incredibly grateful and honored to be chosen as a winner of the Loudoun Innovation Challenge. This recognition means so much to our team at VascRisk as we work to improve cardiovascular health through simple, accessible tools like ARTSENS.”
Inspired by this win, Sharma expressed her commitment to increasing representation and success for South Asian women in Loudoun County and beyond through her startup. With the county’s support, she shared her excitement about advancing her team’s efforts to bring their technology to a wider audience, empowering individuals to take charge of their health through early detection and personalized care.
“This award will make a big difference in helping us reach our goals and serve the community,” she emphasized.
Gurung told South Asian Herald, “Winning the 2024 Loudoun Innovation Challenge in the Life Sciences Technology Innovation category is an incredible honor and a proud milestone in our journey,” adding, “This reflects the hard work, creativity, and commitment of our team to advancing technologies that improve lives.”
Gurung further said that she and her team were “deeply honored,” by this recognition and motivated to continue driving “meaningful change,” in the industry.
Commending the winners for their trailblazing efforts, Executive Director of Loudoun Economic Development, Buddy Rizer, said, “Loudoun County is a hub for innovation, and tonight’s winners exemplify what happens when bold ideas are supported by a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. By fostering creativity and entrepreneurship, Loudoun continues to lead as a model for economic development.”
Echoing his sentiment, Chair of the Loudoun Economic Development Authority, Angela Wilson, emphasized, “Loudoun is a place where big ideas can take flight. These companies represent the future of innovation, and we’re honored to celebrate their success. The Loudoun Economic Development Authority is proud to support these businesses as they drive transformative growth and opportunity in our community.”
During her pitch before the winners were announced, Sharma emphasized, “At VascRisk, we are revolutionizing cardiovascular health with our innovative product, ARTSENS. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, yet existing diagnostic tools are often invasive, expensive, and inaccessible for most people.”
Sharma emphasized that most people don’t realize they have cardiovascular disease (CVD) until they experience severe symptoms, such as hypertension or a heart attack. However, ARTSENS is revolutionizing the field with its non-invasive, affordable, and AI-powered solution for assessing vascular health.
“Using advanced ultrasound technology, our device measures arterial stiffness, vascular age, and pulse wave velocity within 5 minutes—empowering healthcare providers to detect cardiovascular risks early and take proactive measures,” she explained.
She underscored her firm’s commitment to women’s health, noting that cardiovascular disease often manifests differently in women and is frequently underdiagnosed. ARTSENS helps bridge this gap by providing “tailored insights,” for early detection and preventative care.
“Additionally, our Screening-as-a-Service model extends cardiovascular monitoring beyond hospitals to wellness centers, gyms, and clinics, bringing proactive healthcare into everyday environments,” added Sharma. “But we don’t stop at detection. Our AI-driven platform leverages digital twin technology to create personalized health plans, empowering individuals to take control of their heart health. With real-time tracking and a built-in chatbot, ARTSENS transforms cardiovascular care into a seamless and actionable experience.”
She highlighted that the firm’s mission is to “to democratize access to cardiovascular health monitoring and reduce the global burden of heart disease.” With its scalability, affordability, and focus on underserved markets, according to her, ARTSENS aims to make a meaningful impact on global healthcare and wellness.
“Together, we’re building a healthier future—one heartbeat at a time,” she noted.
Each year, the Loudoun Innovation Challenge recognizes and supports groundbreaking ideas in categories such as Industry Transformation, Life Sciences Technology, Cyber Defense, Highly Specialized Manufacturing, and Clean Technology, according to a statement from the Loudoun Economic Development noting that each winning company demonstrated exceptional ingenuity, problem-solving, and potential to positively impact Loudoun County and beyond.
The popular People’s Choice Award, which invites the public to vote for their favorite business idea, received 1,700 votes this year. One of the winning firms, noHack emerged as the clear favorite, earning the $10,000 prize.
In addition to financial support for the winners, it stated, “all finalists of this year’s Loudoun Innovation Challenge will receive one year of free business coaching from local industry experts and access to a six-week growth program from Startups Ignite, further strengthening their capacity to scale and succeed.”
The 2024 Loudoun Innovation Challenge continues to be a flagship program showcasing the county’s dedication to fostering “entrepreneurship and innovative solutions.” This year’s winners will benefit “funding and resources to advance their projects,” further enriching Loudoun County’s vibrant business ecosystem.
Representatives from the Young Entrepreneurs Academy through the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce were also present at the event.
