In 2021 my grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and my grandpa, who passed away three years ago, had it too. With that family history, I knew my mom is at higher risk. 

So I started asking what could be done.I talked to experts, and learned something hopeful: cognitive decline begins 10-15 years before an Alzheimer's diagnosis, in a stage called mild cognitive impairment. At this stage, lifestyle changes can slow it down. But most people don't know they're in it, because it's easy to mistake for normal aging.

But the standard cognitive tests doctors use usually only pick up changes once they affect daily life. I wanted something better. Then I learned that our voice reflects our brain health, and that it can be analyzed to reveal remarkable detail. The technology already existed, but only private clinics and large insurers could use it. You couldn't get a screening for yourself.

That's why I founded Mamsa: to make this existing voice-analysis technology accessible to everyone. Building on technology already developed by specialists, I created a service that allows people to screen their cognitive health from home.

Andrej Hrmo, the founder of Mamsa.