From failure to global impact—this startup is making neuroscience accessible with open source, low-cost bioamps. How did they get there?
In 2016, Deepak Khatri, inspired by a tech talk by Greg Gage, set out to build his own biopotential amplifier. He gathered components worth ₹1000, but the first attempt failed. Determined to learn, he broke down the problem, studied each element, and eventually built a working circuit for under ₹100.
By 2018, with guidance from his professor, he learned to design and manufacture PCBs. That year, he developed his first proper PCB for a biopotential amplifier (BioAmp) and launched a store on Tindie called Upside Down Labs. The name reflected his perpetually messy workspace and a nod to Stranger Things. By December 2020, he was designing one PCB daily, refining the BioAmp EXG Pill—a compact, open source biosignal sensor. Initially developed for EMG, he soon realised it could also capture ECG and EEG, outperforming existing solutions.
Deepak’s college friends, Dikshant Dahiya and Bhawna Sehgal, joined him as his interest grew. They formalised Upside Down Labs as an LLP and launched a crowdfunding campaign, raising over $13,000—eventually surpassing $30,000. To date, they have sold BioAmp EXG Pills worth over $100,000.
Today, the startup provides neuroscience kits for students and researchers and collaborates with universities and industries. It currently offers over seven different sensors and multiple accessories, all catering to bio-physiological and biopotential signals.
The company claims to be India’s first and only one to design and manufacture DIY neuroscience kits. “The uniqueness of these kits lies in their fully open source nature—every design file is available for anyone to study, modify, or build upon. This makes them particularly valuable for students developing their own biosensors,” Deepak explains.
Discussing the electronics involved, Deepak says, “The electronics in each sensor are designed from scratch. Most use a quad-operational amplifier. The first stage is a custom instrumentation amplifier that processes the signal, followed by another amplifier for band-pass filtering, and a fourth amplifier that creates the reference voltage power supply. This setup forms the core of most BioAmp designs. An earlier version, BioAmp v1.5, had a different design, but all current models follow this structure: two amplifiers for signal processing, one for filtering, and one for power supply.”
On revenue, Deepak states, “We have sold our products in over 60 countries and have distributors in several regions. While we cannot disclose exact revenue figures, we have sold over 5000 DIY kits alone.”
Everything is handled in-house except PCB manufacturing, which is outsourced. The process begins with designing the PCB layout and placing components. Once finalised, the design is sent for manufacturing. After production, testing is conducted, and any issues are resolved. The design is then refined and re-tested before being approved for larger-scale assembly using an in-house pick-and-place machine.
Discussing the challenges of designing a bio amplifier sensor, Deepak says, “Capturing weak biopotential signals like EEG, EMG, and ECG—typically in the microvolt or millivolt range—requires precise amplification without distortion. Electrical noise and interference from power sources, surrounding electronics, and body movements further complicate signal accuracy, making effective filtering and shielding essential.”
Regarding the target users of the bio amplifier sensor, Deepak reveals, “Researchers have used them for material science, designing new electrodes, and testing conductive materials. Students use these sensors for science fairs and personal research. A company called Incognito Blueprints also incorporates these kits to help students build science projects and portfolios, enhancing their chances of getting into top universities like Ivy League colleges.”
The company is entirely self-funded, reinvesting revenue from product sales into research and development. Currently, it faces no major challenges and continues to expand, developing more advanced products. With ongoing recruitment, the team has grown from just five members to nearly 15.
The company is now primarily focused on enhancing software support for its biopotential amplifiers. Additionally, they are working on new products and will be integrating wireless technology integration with Neuro Play Ground Lite, a multichannel wireless biopotential signal amplification device designed for recording EMG, ECG, EOG, and EEG. This device will be soon launched on Crowd Supply.
Looking ahead, the startup aims to design new products, advance technology, and promote open source neuroscience. It seeks support in building distribution networks and partnering with academic institutions to organise neuroscience workshops. Moving forward, their goal remains clear: continuous innovation and sustained growth.
