#Stepper in Spotlight: Sukanya Dixit(Co-founder, Curalgia)

“Our mission is to provide people with a good cost-effective way to manage pain and reduce injury risks to help them lead pain-free lives,” says Sukanya Dixit, Stepper in Spotlight and co-founder of Curalgia. Curalgia is working towards revolutionizing the rehabilitation experience by using the transformative power of technology.

The Inspiration behind Curalgia

As a former Ph.D. student,  Sukanya was devastated when she had to drop out due to a painful injury that she had ignored for too long. Her physiotherapist, Dr. Vishwal, explained the consequences of ignoring pain and the importance of rehabilitation.
Together, they started researching and exploring this pressing problem.

“We were shocked to learn that a study showed 59 out of 112 individuals requested medical assistance in dying due to loss of independence,” she says.
The lack of cost-effective technology that provided real-time analytical data and monitoring options was a significant issue in the rehabilitation process. Traditional rehabilitation methods were time-consuming and expensive, and the technology used was lab-based and lacked real-world relevance.
‘We founded CurAlgia to help people recover faster by analyzing, monitoring, and improving their rehabilitation process.” she says.

Curalgia: The name 

Sukanya explains that the word “Cur” means a cure, and “Algia” is a medical term for pain.

“The name completely explains our purpose of providing a cure for pain,” she adds.

Journey as an entrepreneur

Sukanya is a serial entrepreneur. She believes that her journey was one of growth and learning.

“I’ve always been driven by the desire to create solutions that can make a positive impact in people’s lives, and this has continued to be the driving force behind each of my ventures,” she explains.

The founders faced challenges from conducting extensive research and development to bringing their product to market, but every step has been a learning experience.

“I am proud of what we have accomplished, and I am excited about the future of CurAlgia and the impact on people’s lives,” she says.

Work done by the organization

Curalgia offers a variety of products and services that heal body injuries and provide foot care. Data suggest that many orthopedic surgeries are avoidable if people resort to early and efficient physiotherapy. 

Curalgia aims to provide an at-home physiotherapy service that utilizes wearable technology to collect real-time data and provide customized rehabilitation plans. 

“Our goal is to make rehabilitation accessible and affordable for everyone, regardless of their location or financial situation,” she says.

Their home-based foot health check-up service has enabled people to receive quality care from the comfort of their own homes, saving them time and money while improving their overall health outcomes.

“We have received numerous positive feedbacks from our customers, many of whom have reported a significant reduction in their pain levels and improved mobility after using our services,” she adds.

CurAlgia is contributing to the healthcare industry through innovative solutions and cutting-edge technology. They have garnered attention from industry experts and are being incorporated into rehabilitation programs worldwide.

Future plans

Sukanya plans to expand the reach of their organization and make a larger impact in rehabilitation and injury management. She is exploring new technologies and innovations to help provide better services to clients. She also wants to continue her personal and professional growth as a leader in this field.

“I plan to expand our services to new geographical locations. I am also looking to collaborate with other organizations and medical professionals,” she adds.

Advice to new entrepreneurs 

Sukanya believes that entrepreneurship can be a long and challenging journey. She advises new entrepreneurs to believe in their vision and never give up.

“It is important to keep learning, stay flexible and adapt to changes in the market, surround oneself with a supportive team, and be open to feedback and taking calculated risks,” he adds.

Sukanya, the Stepper

Sukanya believes an incubation program is essential for entrepreneurs as it provides first-generation entrepreneurs with the structure and framework to consolidate their thought processes. 

She applied to STEP as she was impressed by the impact made by STEP in such a short time. 

“It was a worthwhile experience as the active and experienced team assisted us through every doubt,” she says.

Dixit’s favorite Tuesday session was the one on mental health. 

“I think it allowed us to open up to each other and put our vulnerabilities across that we often ignore,” she adds.

She feels that the weekly mentorship sessions at STEP were valuable learning lessons that helped her solve many problems.

The grant disbursement process at STEP was very transparent. She used the grant to purchase consumables for their prototyping needs.

“STEP is an impactful and personalized program that takes care of an entrepreneur’s specific needs and helps them evolve through the journey,” she adds.

Sukanya, the person

Sukanya loves reading. Her favorite book is “The Monk who sold his Ferrari”. Switzerland is her preferred holiday destination. Hyderabadi Biryani is her comfort food.

She draws inspiration from her mother.

A Quote that is the Mantra of her life is:” Do not always wait to make the right decisions, make decisions and then make them right!”