How do you create a product that not only supports nursing home residents but truly makes a difference for caregivers? Menno Gravemaker, CEO of Momo Medical, has embraced this challenge with determination, scaling from 100 to 10,000 deployed units in just two years. His success lies in his ability to deeply understand and address what caregivers truly need. “It’s all about the caregivers. If they can work with joy and confidence, we’ve achieved our mission.”

The urgent need to ease the burden on caregivers

The Momo App pairs with an advanced bedsensor (BedSense), providing caregivers real-time insights across entire departments. The Momo App delivers a powerful dual benefit: it enhances resident safety while significantly boosting caregiver well-being. The result? A remarkable 40% reduction in workload.

Menno highlights why this matters so much: “In the next 20 years, the number of people aged 85 and older will double. At the same time, 30% of caregivers will retire within the next decade. We have to retain and support the ones still in the field. And that won’t happen by assigning one person to 80 residents on a night shift without any tools to help.”

It’s the opening to a passionate call to action from an entrepreneur deeply committed to transforming the caregiving experience.

From TU Delft to transforming healthcare

Menno Gravemaker began his journey studying Electrical Engineering at TU Delft. But a personal experience shifted his focus towards the healthcare sector. “I started to dive deeper into it when my grandmother moved into a nursing home. For the first time, I got a real glimpse of how caregivers work,” he shares. “I was struck by the lack of technological innovation. The tools seemed outdated and caregivers often shared that it was frustrating to work with.”

That experience planted a seed. “Around that time, I had a conversation with a friend about pressure ulcers. I couldn’t believe this was still such a common issue,” Menno recalls. “It seemed like something technology should easily be able to prevent.” Motivated to make a difference, Menno quickly sketched out an idea: bedsensors paired with an app.

The pivot to nursing homes

Inspired by his grandmother’s experience, Menno began shadowing night shifts in nursing homes. “The workload was overwhelming,” he explains. “I could see the daily challenges caregivers face firsthand.”

At that time, Momo Medical’s product was far from fully developed. “It was a process of discovery – figuring out who we were and what we stood for,” Menno says. “We knew there was a problem to solve, but not yet how to solve it. We had to look at how we could improve caregivers’ overall job satisfaction and workflow, starting with the nightshift.”

By early 2020, Momo Medical made the bold decision to fully focus on nursing homes. Menno reflects, “It was a tough call. We had raised significant funds specifically for hospital-focused pressure ulcer prevention. But I had this gut feeling: there was something bigger here. We had to leave everything else behind and take a new direction.”

With limited resources but a clear vision, Menno pressed on. “I knew the potential was there, yet we needed to convince everyone. Eventually, the team, the market and the investors aligned with the vision, and together, we fully committed to serving nursing homes.”

Technology that doesn’t feel like technology

One of the most valuable lessons Menno learned during Momo Medical’s evolution was that technology is only impactful if it’s intuitive and genuinely supportive. “Caregivers want to focus on people, not technology,” he emphasizes. “The challenge is creating something that feels so seamless it could have always been there – no unnecessary complexity. It’s not easy, but it’s the only way to make a real impact.”

Today, feedback from caregivers affirms they’ve succeeded. “They tell us it brings calm and clarity while reducing incidents with residents,” Menno shares. “That’s what it’s all about for us – helping caregivers thrive and residents sleep better and stay safe.”

A moonshot in Silicon Valley

In 2021, Menno decided to take a bold leap and apply to Y Combinator, the renowned accelerator in Silicon Valley. “The acceptance rate was less than 1%,” Menno recalls, “but to our surprise, we got a yes the day after our 10 minute interview. After that, we experienced a 25% monthly growth rate. It was a whirlwind, but it gave us the resources and momentum to scale rapidly.”

Continuously evolving to meet caregivers' needs

In 2024, Nextgen Ventures became a key investor in Momo Medical, alongside PGGM, Fundis, InnovationQuarter, Rabobank, Noaber and several other investors. Menno made a deliberate choice to partner with Nextgen. “Others may have offered higher valuations,” Menno recalls, “but the overall package was right. They have a long-term vision, a genuine passion for healthcare and they let us do what we do best as entrepreneurs. That’s incredibly important.”

Menno appreciates Nextgen’s approach: “They are impact investors, meaning they aim to add real value without exerting excessive control. With other investors, you sometimes encounter situations where they try to take over. That’s never been the case with Nextgen.”

Partnering with Nextgen Ventures

In 2024, Nextgen Ventures became a key investor in Momo Medical, alongside PGGM, Fundis, InnovationQuarter, Rabobank, Noaber and several other investors. Menno made a deliberate choice to partner with Nextgen. “Others may have offered higher valuations,” Menno recalls, “but the overall package was right. They have a long-term vision, a genuine passion for healthcare and they let us do what we do best as entrepreneurs. That’s incredibly important.”

Menno appreciates Nextgen’s approach: “They are impact investors, meaning they aim to add real value without exerting excessive control. With other investors, you sometimes encounter situations where they try to take over. That’s never been the case with Nextgen.”

The value of curiosity

Much of Menno’s interaction with Nextgen revolves around Peter Haasjes. “Before they came on board, I reached out to other entrepreneurs who had worked with Peter,” Menno shares. “I wanted to know what he was like in a boardroom setting. What stood out to me was his incredible curiosity. He genuinely wants to understand how you think and operate.”

This curiosity aligns perfectly with Momo Medical’s philosophy. “Just as we listen to caregivers and nurses, Peter listens to us,” Menno explains. “He asks insightful questions, challenges us when necessary, but ultimately leaves the decisions up to us. That level of trust is essential.”

Strategic support that drives impact

Peter’s involvement goes beyond funding. “We have regular conversations about strategy – should we prioritize growth or focus on profitability? How do we structure our budgets? He always makes me think and asks the right questions,” Menno says.

This trust has proven invaluable. “Nextgen has been instrumental not just financially, but also strategically,” Menno concludes. “They understand that growth isn’t just about numbers – it’s about making a meaningful impact. That’s what makes this partnership so strong.”

Empowering the people who provide care

Menno envisions a future where Momo Medical experiences significant growth in Europe, the United States and Canada. “Our goal is to become the market leader in these regions,” he shares. “In Europe and the U.S., we aim to support one million residents with our solution.” The scalable nature of their technology is key to their expansion. “Thanks to our mesh network, we’re not dependent on the IT infrastructure of nursing homes. But, the real challenge lies in training staff and guiding facilities through the change process.”

These are ambitious goals; however, for Menno, quality always trumps speed. Momo Medical’s ambition is driven by a mission that goes beyond numbers: to support caregivers and nurses around the globe. “It’s about empowering the people who provide care, not about revenue figures or the number of countries we’re in. Our mission always takes priority,” Menno states firmly.

A goal worth striving for

The healthcare sector faces a daunting future, Menno observes: “Twice as many elderly people, many nurses retiring, and a significant dropout rate among new graduates. Something has to change.”

For Menno, the solution lies for an important part in enhancing the joy and satisfaction of caregivers: “I firmly believe that we need to support the people already working in healthcare and ensure they can do their jobs with confidence and happiness.”

It’s a vision that perfectly encapsulates Momo Medical’s mission. By empowering caregivers with the innovative Momo App and focusing on intuitive solutions, Menno and his team are tackling the sector’s challenges. One nursing home at a time, they’re not only making care safer but also making caregiving more fulfilling.

For Menno, this is more than a business – it’s a movement to reshape the future of care, ensuring those on the frontlines have the support they need to thrive. “When caregivers thrive, so does healthcare,” he concludes. That’s a goal worth striving for.

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