Our Journey
Wellumio was never the product of a single eureka moment—it was forged through unexpected meetings, relentless problem-solving, and a shared belief in the power of science to transform lives. It began when a group of people from vastly different backgrounds crossed paths, each bringing a unique perspective but bound by the same drive: to rethink how brain imaging could be done.
Our Journey
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2013
Growing frustrations
This growing interest also came with a frustration given the limited access to clinical MRI systems—the gold standard brain imaging modality. This provided an impetus for him to explore alternative novel portable technologies that may take the place of clinical MRI’s for use in neurovascular research.
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The hospital sector
Following graduation Shieak embarked on a 15-year career in neuromonitoring research. During this period, he became deeply interested in medical device technologies and their application to stroke and brain function. Shieak's passion for research during this period led him to a research fellowship at University of Otago and Harvard Medical School focusing on brain monitoring.
Shieak Tzeng
Graduates from University of Otago MD PhD
NMR-Mole
Team led by Paul Callaghan develops the 5kg portable NMR Mobile Lateral Explorer (MOLE) using inside-out NMR techniques for characterization of liquids.
2006
NMR-Mouse
Team led by Bernard Blumich developed the 1Kg NMR Mobile Universal Surface Explorer (MOUSE) developed using the principles of inside-out NMR for characterisation of elastomers, skin, and coatings on iron sheets.
1998
Sir Paul Callaghan
Designs the world first earth field nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus for performing relaxometry measurements in Antarctic sea ice.
1997
Key introductions
In 2013 Shieak was introduced to Paul Teal, a signal processing engineer to work on developing models of neurovascular control. This was key, as Paul was now embedded within the engineering department at Victoria University of Wellington working with Paul Callaghan’s team in the Physics department on novel NMR technologies for industrial applications.
Sergei Obruchkov & Petrik Galvasos, Department of Physics, Victoria University of Wellington
This growing interest also came with a frustration given the limited access to clinical MRI systems—the gold standard brain imaging modality. This provided an impetus for him to explore alternative novel portable technologies that may take the place of clinical MRI’s for use in neurovascular research.
A realisation
Shortly after this introduction all parties realised that the ideas underpinning their two areas of research had synergies.
From Sergei’s perspective:
NMR was a flexible technology platform that had numerous potential use cases that provide advantages over conventional MRI systems including portability, power efficiency, and speed of signal acquisition.
From Shieak’s perspective:
The current process for stroke detection was too slow and hampered by the current form factors of MRI technology. If MRI technology’s form factor could be changed there was a real chance of creating something that could save lives, as it would be possible to radically change the way in which early detection is undertaken.
2014 - 2016
A new endeavour
The new team was awarded $1M funding from the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment to establish proof of concept that inside-out NMR can detect physiologically relevant parameters of neurovascular function. The team won the grant through a ‘Smart Ideas program’. It was a punt as there was no pilot data—all we had was an exciting idea. We were pleasantly surprised the funders decided to fund the program!
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Proof of concept
The new team was awarded $1M funding from the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment to establish proof of concept that inside-out NMR can detect physiologically relevant parameters of neurovascular function. The team won the grant through a ‘Smart Ideas program’. It was a punt as there was no pilot data—all we had was an exciting idea. We were pleasantly surprised the funders decided to fund the program!
A talent student joins the team to build first prototype
Dion Thomas joins the team as a masters student and event completes his PhD working on the technology. A prototype of an inside-out NMR device named ‘Alpha’ was built. We showed that our inside-out NMR sensor can detect physiological changes in blood oxygen levels in near real time—a critical breakthrough for developing portable non-invasive technologies to monitor brain health and detect conditions like stroke in real time.
2016 - 2018
Detecting stroke
A further $1M funding was secured from the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment to develop our technology for acute stroke detection. In partnership with Renee Turner and her team at the University of Adelaide, we showed that our technology could detect acute stroke within the first golden hour of disease onset in a sheep stroke model. We also showed that this study provided critical proof of concept to begin develop a clinical device.
New inventions
Developed the IFAIR technique for acquiring NMR measures of brain perfusion (blood flow) without the use of contrast agents).
2019
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Wellumio founded
In 2013 Shieak was introduced to Paul Teal, a signal processing engineer to work on developing models of neurovascular control. This was key, as Paul was now embedded within the engineering department at Victoria University of Wellington working with Paul Callaghan’s team in the Physics department on novel NMR technologies for industrial applications.
Bootstrapping & Developing the business story
During the period of consultation with the VC sector business goals and ambitions were refined as we explored different potential market opportunities including brain monitoring, and stroke detection. At the same time, we began to think about how to develop a whole brain scanner based on in-side out principles of NMR. Most of this progress was done via bootstrapping with funds raised amongst the founders.
Going All-In
All founders left their respective universities to focus on Wellumio. We were literally working in our garages. Early potential investors were very helpful including Quidnet Ventures.
2022
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Funding raise
Started to speak to more VC’s in New Zealand looking for a suitable lead. Finally met Angus Blair from Outset Ventures who become our lead.
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The BHAG
From the outset of this next two-year phase the Big Hairy Audacious Goal was always to achieve a working prototype of Axana, a human scale portable scanner based on single-sided principles that could be put into clinical trials. Our vision was to have portable scanners in every ambulance.
2023
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Seed round investment
Finally in early 2023 a group of seed fund investors started to coalesce around the proposition, with a term sheet between all parties being agreed and signed. Raised $2.75 Million with a later $1.5M extension round (total $4.25Million raised).
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Team growth
With some very ambitious technology goals to meet the 2024 prototype goal, the technology and engineering team drew rapidly to around 10 very talented staff.
Gyan Barik
business entity itself had to prepare for all the challenges that commercialisation of a medical product brings. Gyan has an amazing track record in this area and is a key hire for our future success and joined at the perfect time.
Key hires
Started to grow the team with key engineering and business operations hires including:
Kern Cowell, Sean Pierce, Laura Mulligan and Flynn Stilwell. A talented engineering team commenced work on building the Axana scanner.
The company we keep
We started to look outside of our office walls at this point to partnerships that improve our business and products. We are incredibly proud of our partners and believe a lot can be told about a business by the company it keeps.
2024
US expansion
The North American market is critical for Wellumio and Axana to assume a global position. With the associated regulatory hurdles to surmount, a regional MD will give us a competitive advantage. Ziad Roug, an experienced executive in the medical technology industry was appointed as General Manager. We also appointed Daniel Weyers, as VP Product Development. Daniel joined Wellumio after 8 years at GE Healthcare as Global Product Manager for RF Coils.
Ziad Roug
Daniel Weyers
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Our clinical advisory board
Formed this year, we are proud to say our advisors are some of the best in the world. We boast:
4 x KOP leaders
5 x other industry leaders
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New Invention - pulsed gradient free imaging.
As planned and following a herculean effort by the team our first prototype, Axana, is ready using a new technique and form factor invented by Wellulmio called Pulsed Gradient Free Imaging.
Clinical trial
With the prototype ready we engaged a trial partnership
with the Royal Melbourne Hospital
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A GPS for stroke
The company invents an AI approach to stroke detection using pulsed gradient free imaging called Stroke-GPS. Provisional patent application filed with search research from IP Australia showing the IP is novel and inventive.
The trial goal
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40 patients
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10 control subjects
2025 & Beyond
5 year goals
Secure regulatory approval in key markets.
Partner with leading stroke centres to validate Axana’s performance and build credibility to drive adoption in smaller hospitals.
Leverage distribution partners for smaller hospitals and broader market penetration.
Integrate with EMR, tele-neurology & stroke solutions that form part of the stroke care ecosystem.
Scale manufacturing and supply chain
Priority channels
Direct sales: Comprehensive stroke centres, academic hospitals.
Distributors: Medical device distributors with access to primary stroke centres and critical access hospitals.
Group purchasing organisations: Partner with GPO’s to access multiple healthcare facilities.
OEM partnerships: Medical device strategics and imaging equipment companies.
Academic institutions: Universities and research centres focused on neurology and stroke studies.
The Team
At Wellumio, our team blends diverse expertise—from medical research and clinical practice to technology, design, and commercialization—to redefine acute stroke care.
