Meet #OurEntrepreneurs. Today we welcome Shubhamkumar M Baviskar, a Research Fellow from Northern Ireland.
Dr. Shubhamkumar Baviskar is an enthusiastic researcher, pharmaceutical scientist, and entrepreneur originally from a small town in India. With a strong academic foundation in pharmacy and chemistry, he began his journey in the UK with an MSc in Pharmaceutical Analysis at Queen’s University Belfast, followed by a PhD in Pharmacy, supported by the prestigious Rajshri Shahu Maharaj Government of India Scholarship.
Name: Shubhamkumar M Baviskar, NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Cohort X
Occupation: Research Fellow, Northern Ireland
Driven by a passion for innovation and impact, Shubham transitioned from academic research into research-led entrepreneurship. He is the founder and CEO of AAPTA GUT+GENIUS, a pioneering AI healthtech startup focused on gut health diagnostics and personalised nutrition. His venture blends cutting-edge biosensor technology with AI to provide non-invasive, real-time insights into digestive health.
Shubham’s entrepreneurial journey has been recognised nationally, winning the Innovation Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards (GBEA) in November 2024, and AI Startup of the Year at the UK Startup Awards in June 2025. His work continues to bridge science and innovation to improve health outcomes globally.
Tell us about your innovation
AAPTA GUT+GENIUS is an innovative digital health solution designed to transform how individuals understand and manage their gut health. Our platform combines a non-invasive gut monitoring device with AI-driven software to deliver personalized nutrition, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations. By empowering users with real-time, actionable insights into their digestive wellness, we aim to support early symptom detection, improve dietary habits, and reduce dependency on trial-and-error methods for managing conditions like bloating, IBS, and food intolerances. The impact of AAPTA GUT+GENIUS lies in its potential to improve quality of life, support preventative care, and reduce healthcare burdens related to gut-related disorders.
AAPTA GUT+GENIUS aims to address the significant challenge of delayed diagnosis and inefficient management of gut-related disorders within the NHS, such as IBS, bloating, and chronic digestive discomfort. These conditions often rely on symptom-based assessments and lengthy referrals, leading to patient frustration, misdiagnosis, and increased healthcare costs. A recent article in The Telegraph highlights concerns over the rising costs of colonoscopies for the NHS, emphasising the need for more cost-effective diagnostic approaches.
Our solution offers a non-invasive, data-driven approach to early detection and personalised management, helping to reduce the burden on primary care services, improve patient outcomes, and support a shift toward preventative and precision healthcare within the NHS.
How do you hope that the programme will support you?
I found out about the programme through my university and alumni network, who spoke highly of its value in supporting healthcare innovation. I applied because it offers a unique opportunity to engage with experienced mentors, gain insights into navigating the NHS ecosystem, and refine our go-to-market strategy for AAPTA GUT+GENIUS. I’m most looking forward to learning from leaders in healthcare innovation, building meaningful connections, and receiving guidance on clinical validation and real-world implementation of our technology to create a lasting impact on patient care and gut health management.
I hope the programme will support me by providing access to a strong network within the NHS and helping me understand key challenges, gaps, and innovation pathways in the healthcare system. Through expert mentorship and collaboration, I aim to gain insights into clinical needs, procurement processes, and regulatory frameworks. This will help align AAPTA GUT+GENIUS more effectively with NHS priorities. Our solution directly addresses patient concerns related to gut health while aiming to reduce costs and alleviate the burden on NHS services by enabling early intervention, personalised care, and non-invasive management aligned with preventative healthcare goals.
My ambitions for the next year include introducing a fully functional prototype of the AAPTA GUT+GENIUS diagnostic device and initiating the regulatory approval process to ensure compliance with relevant health standards. If time and resources permit, I also aim to begin initial clinical trials to validate the effectiveness and accuracy of the device in real-world settings. These steps will be crucial in demonstrating the clinical utility of our innovation and moving closer to integration within healthcare systems like the NHS.
Why do you think innovation in healthcare is important?
Innovation is vital in healthcare because it enables more effective, accessible, and personalised solutions for patients and healthcare systems alike. With AAPTA GUT+GENIUS, we are addressing a significant unmet need in gut health by offering a non-invasive, data-driven approach to early detection and management of digestive issues. Traditional methods are often invasive, expensive, and delayed, putting pressure on both patients and the NHS. Our innovation supports preventative care, empowers individuals with real-time insights, and helps reduce unnecessary procedures and costs. By integrating smart diagnostics with AI, we aim to transform how gut health is monitored and managed.
Shubhamkumar joins us as part of our Northern Ireland cohort thanks to the collaboration with The Health Innovation Research Alliance Northern Ireland (HIRANI) and Invest Northern Ireland