What happens when a heart doctor becomes a startup founder? The answer might surprise you! Yahya Hakimi is not your next-door-entrepreneur. With an extensive background in cardiovascular medicine and years of experience as an electrophysiologist (that’s an expert in diagnosing and treating the heart’s electrical system!), Hakimi has always been passionate about saving lives. But it wasn’t until he participated in StartUp Bahrain Weekend that this passion took on a new form—RhythmTech, his MedTech startup that focuses on real-time monitoring of patients with heart disease.
Yahya’s journey into entrepreneurship was as much about innovation as it was about necessity. “After witnessing firsthand the devastating consequences of delayed medical intervention, particularly for patients with heart conditions, I knew I had to find a way to close that gap,” he said. Having spent years treating strokes, heart attacks, and other life-threatening conditions, Yahya’s experiences fueled his desire to create a solution that could monitor patients remotely, preventing these catastrophic events before they happen. His deep commitment to improving patient outcomes drove him to explore how technology could further enhance the care he already provided as a doctor. #IsntHeAwesome?
In an innovative tech region like Bahrain, Yahya found the perfect environment to develop his ideas. Bahrain’s dynamic startup ecosystem enabled him to collaborate with other founders who shared his passion for creating impactful solutions. When asked about his motivation for joining StartUp Bahrain Weekend, Yahya explained, “I wanted to see how technology could elevate the level of healthcare we provide, particularly in a region that’s increasingly becoming a center for tech-driven solutions.”
RhythmTech’s platform is genius, the idea behind it is that it offers real-time, remote monitoring for patients with implanted cardiac devices, like pacemakers or defibrillators. It uses advanced algorithms to detect abnormalities in vital signs, sending immediate alerts to both the patient and their healthcare providers. This early warning system is designed to save lives and reduce hospital readmissions by preventing undetected cardiac events.
“Our goal is simple—use technology to ensure that heart patients are monitored continuously, even from home. This gives peace of mind not only to patients but also to their families,” Yahya shared.
The StartUp Bahrain Weekend experience wasn’t without its challenges. “Developing a prototype and delivering a compelling pitch all within 54 hours was intense. But it forced us to think quickly and strategically, and that experience was invaluable,” he said. Trust us, we know!
And what set Yahya’s team apart was the unique blend of technical and medical expertise, which allowed them to build a solution that was not only technologically advanced but also highly practical. With team members specializing in everything from software development to business strategy, their collective effort produced a solution that could truly revolutionize cardiac care.
Yahya’s background in medicine has undeniably influenced his approach to building RhythmTech. “The precision, attention to detail, and patient-first mentality that are integral to medical practice have carried over into our development process for RhythmTech. It’s not just about innovation—it’s about ensuring that innovation can seamlessly integrate into patients’ lives,” he said.
Looking ahead, Yahya and his team are committed to refining their technology even further! Their goal is to enhance the detection algorithms while expanding pilot programs with healthcare institutions. RhythmTech are also seeking funding to scale the platform to ensure that more patients can benefit from life-saving monitoring. Now that’s revolutionary!
Reflecting on his journey from medicine to entrepreneurship, Yahya had a few pieces of wisdom to share for future participants: “Don’t be afraid to leverage your expertise to solve real-world problems. Your knowledge gives you a unique perspective that can drive meaningful change. Build a strong team, stay adaptable, and remain committed to your mission, even when faced with obstacles. The impact you can have is well worth the journey.”
As RhythmTech prepares for its next chapter, it’s clear that Yahya Hakimi’s journey is only just beginning and more exciting things are to come. His story is one of many to come out of StartUp Bahrain Weekend! And with more editions, participants and winners, Bahrain’s startup scene is only getting more exciting to be part of. Stay tuned—you don’t want to miss the next big success story!
