Voxelgrids Innovations: Revolutionizing MRI Scanners in India

30 SEC SUMMARY

Voxelgrids Innovations, founded in 2017 by Arjun Arunachalam, is revolutionizing medical imaging in India with its cost-effective, compact MRI scanners. The company's innovative technology reduces reliance on expensive helium, making advanced medical imaging more accessible and affordable for smaller hospitals and towns.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Company Overview
2. History and Development
3. Technology and Innovation
4. Funding and Support
5. Commercial Launch and Future Plans
6. Key Highlights
7. FAQs
8. Conclusion
9. Call-to-Action

Company Overview

Founded: 2017 Founder: Arjun Arunachalam Headquarters: Bengaluru Sector: Medical imaging, MRI systems Funding Raised: About ₹37 crore ($5 million), Series A (2021) Key Investors: Zoho Corporation, Social Alpha Institutional Support: Department of Biotechnology and BIRAC under the National Biopharma Mission, Tata Trusts through FISE, United States-India Science and Technology Endowment Fund Products: Compact full-body 1.5 tesla MRI scanner

History and Development

Voxelgrids Innovations was founded in Bengaluru in 2017 by Arjun Arunachalam, who holds MS and PhD degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and worked at the GE Global Research Center in New York. Arunachalam's journey began with a failed attempt to raise funds, which led him to join IIT Bombay as a faculty member in electrical engineering.

In 2013, after relocating to Singapore with his family, Arunachalam received a grant from Spring Singapore, which funded the development of a small test scanner. In May 2016, he approached Tata Trusts with a proposal to build MRI scanners in India, leading to the formation of the core team at the Foundation for Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship (FISE).

A prototype installed at the Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences in Bengaluru produced its first images in March 2018. The company's first clinical installation was unveiled in December 2025 at the Chandrapur Cancer Care Foundation near Nagpur.

Technology and Innovation

Voxelgrids Innovations' product is a compact, full-body 1.5 tesla MRI scanner, the clinical standard field strength. The company's design choice—a superconducting magnet that does not rely on liquid helium—reduces the cost of building a scanner by roughly 40%. This innovation also makes the machine significantly lighter, at two to three tonnes compared to the six tonnes of conventional systems.

The engineering was done in-house, covering software, electronics, and the cryogenic magnet. Arunachalam holds a US patent covering part of the scanner's design. Voxelgrids was certified to ISO 13485 in mid-2020 and received its commercial manufacturing and sales licence in June 2023.

Funding and Support

Zoho Corporation led a $5 million Series A round in 2021, providing the company with enough runway to continue developing the scanner. Tata Trusts, which backed the company through development, also supported it by placing an order for a machine. Under the National Biopharma Mission, the Department of Biotechnology contributed Rs 12 crores of the Rs 17 crores spent developing the scanner, routed through the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).

Commercial Launch and Future Plans

The Bengaluru facility is set up for 20 to 25 scanners a year. Arunachalam stated in December 2025 that a full commercial launch was expected by the end of the financial year, with plans to raise a larger round as it approaches volume production. The team currently stands at 33 members.

Key Highlights

FAQs

FAQs

**Q1: What is the main innovation of Voxelgrids Innovations? **A1: The main innovation is the use of a superconducting magnet that does not rely on liquid helium, significantly reducing the cost and weight of the MRI scanner.

**Q2: How much funding has Voxelgrids Innovations raised? **A2: The company raised about ₹37 crore ($5 million) in Series A funding led by Zoho Corporation in 2021.

**Q3: What is the expected commercial launch timeline? **A3: A full commercial launch was expected by the end of the financial year in December 2025.

Conclusion

Voxelgrids Innovations is making significant strides in making advanced medical imaging accessible and affordable in India. With its innovative technology and strong support from key investors and institutions, the company is well-positioned to revolutionize the MRI scanner market in the country.

Call-to-Action

For more information on Voxelgrids Innovations and their groundbreaking technology, visit blogy.in.