Dr. Denali Dahl is the CEO/Co-Founder of Kalia Health. She is passionate about using engineering and entrepreneurship to translate innovations to impact and address global health challenges. She is an experienced biomedical engineer and global health researcher with a focus on female sexual and reproductive health. Kalia Health is an early-stage startup company dedicated to improving maternal health for women and birthing people globally. Their home-based, point-of-care diagnostic test for preeclampsia aims to increase access to care for millions.
Can you tell us a little about your background and your company?
I am passionate about using engineering and entrepreneurship to translate innovations to impact and address global health challenges. I am an experienced biomedical engineer and global health researcher with a focus on female sexual and reproductive health. After graduating from UC San Diego (BS’15 Nanoengineering) I completed my MS in Global Health (Duke’17) where I met my co-founder, Happy Ghosh, and the idea for the startup originated.
I completed my PhD in biomedical engineering from UNC Chapel Hill & NC State University in 2022. My research experience includes conducting clinical studies in the U.S. and Peru to assess a portable colposcope for point-of-care cervical cancer screenings, developing a multipurpose prevention intravaginal ring for the sustained co-delivery of antiretrovirals and contraceptive drugs, and developing long-acting drug delivery platforms for contraceptive use in low resource settings. I am an inventor of the home-diagnostic test for preeclampsia and now Chief Executive Officer of Kalia Health.
What inspired you to start your business?
During my time as a Master’s student in Global Health at Duke University I had the opportunity to take a transcontinental engineering design course. The premise of the class was to identify a pressing health challenge and design a medical device to address the need. My team decided to focus on preeclampsia because it is the second leading cause of maternal mortalities in the U.S. and globally, despite the condition being straightforward to manage if detected early. Through early conversations with physicians, it became clear that their main concern was getting pregnant people into the clinic earlier in the disease progression. That’s where the idea for the home diagnostic test originated from. We wanted to provide a way for people to screen at home so they know when to seek care before the complication becomes severe.
From working on this diagnostic test as a class project, it quickly became evident that there was a need and opportunity for this technology. It evolved from a student project into a full company. I never imagined running a business, but entrepreneurship is one of the quickest ways to translate an idea to impact, and that’s what I’m focused on.
What strategies helped you secure funding and scale your business?
When the startup company began, I was a PhD student at UNC Chapel Hill and NC State University. As a graduate student I was able to utilize many of the programs and funding opportunities available to student entrepreneurs. Our early success came from winning student pitch competitions. These early wins secured essential bootstrap funding, which enabled us to create a proof-of-concept for our technology and validate the market need and opportunity. Going forward, we are looking for investors who share our mission, and who want to have a positive impact with this technology.
What have been your biggest successes so far?
For me personally, my greatest achievement was earning my PhD. It equipped me with the skills to critically thing about pressing health challenges, develop innovative solutions, and navigate the early stages of research and development. This experience has given me the knowledge and tools to help drive the change I want to see in the world.
As a company, we have had many great successes. One of my favorite things was participating in the IndieBio accelerator program. We secured over half a million dollars of funding and developed the business into a competitive thing and can talk to investors. This program provided us with the support and resources necessary at a critical time to gain necessary traction to grow the business and work on it full time.
As a company, we’ve celebrated many exciting milestones, but one of the most impactful was participating in the IndieBio New York accelerator program. Through the program, we secured over half a million dollars in funding, refined our business into a competitive, investor-ready venture, and gained the traction needed to engage with top investors. IndieBio provided crucial support and resources at a pivotal moment, enabling us to build real momentum and foundation for future growth.
What challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
As a small, early-stage startup we have faced many different challenges. Funding is always a challenge. Balance between biotechnology and impact-driven. Find mission aligned investors.
As a small, early-stage startup, we have encountered many different challenges. Securing funding has been a constant hurdle, especially when striving to balance the demands of biotechnology with our deep commitment to creating meaningful impact. One of our key struggles has been identifying investors who are not only aligned with our mission but also understand the unique potential of our approach. To overcome this challenge we rely on our network of advisors and mentors who have supported us throughout the years.
What are your plans for the future?
The overarching motivation driving my educational journey, design projects, research choices, and career path has been to address unmet medical needs in underserved populations, particularly in global women’s health. Moving forward, my goal is to continue identifying critical gaps and developing innovative medical technologies to address them. I have many ideas for the future of Kalia Health and ways we can expand to tackle additional maternal health challenges, all with the aim of making a lasting, positive impact on global health.
What advice would you give to aspiring female entrepreneurs?
Starting can feel overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that you don’t need to have all the answers from the beginning. As long as you have the passion and persistence to pursue your vision, you’ll find the knowledge and resources as you go. Don’t wait for the “perfect moment” —take that first step.
Surround yourself with a community of entrepreneurs. The support and shared experiences of others can be invaluable. While the journey can feel overwhelming at times, having a network to lean on makes all the difference and can help you navigate challenges more effectively.
What are your top three tips for entrepreneurial success?
- Start with a strong sense of purpose. Know why you’re doing what you’re doing and keep that mission at the core of your decisions. When times get tough, it’s your passion and vision that will fuel you to push forward.
- Embrace learning and adaptability. You don’t need to know everything at the start, but be willing to learn and adapt as you go. The entrepreneurial journey is full of unexpected twists, and staying flexible will help you navigate them successfully.
- Build a supportive network. Surround yourself with like-minded entrepreneurs and mentors who can offer guidance, share their experiences, and provide moral support. Having a community behind you makes the challenging moments more manageable and keeps you motivated.
Who are five people who inspire you the most, and why?
Dr. Thomas Dahl – My dad inspires me because he always takes action when he sees a need, focusing on practical ways to help others. His down-to-earth approach to making a difference has had a lasting impact on how I approach challenges.Beacham – my axe throwing friend. He represents what it means to be a supportive friend and build a community of true belonging. He always cheers everyone on and is the most supportive person unconditionally, all you have to do is show up. That kind of community spirit and light to others is something I hope to emanate.Dr. Mandy Bratton – my UCSD undergraduate professor who showed me that it’s possible to use engineering for positive change in the worldSimone Biles – she is inspiring because of her unmatched resilience, determination, and ability to push the boundaries of gymnastics, all while using her platform to advocate for mental health and personal well-being.
My grandmothers – both of whom overcame enormous obstacles and pursued educations in the medical field
What are your favourite quotes?
“There are just some times when even though you want so hard to hold on, you just have to relinquish control and drift ever so treacherously into the swirling chaos of the universe and know- everything will be okay”
“Good morning.
Eyes up.
Hearts up.
Minds sharp.
Compassion on full blast.
*sips coffee*
Okay, let’s go”
- Lin-Manuel Miranda
Where can our readers connect with you?
📸 Instagram: @dr.ddawg
💼 LinkedIn: @denali-dahl
✖️ X (formerly Twitter): @DenaliDahl
🌐 Website: www.kaliahealth.com
