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Giancarlo Beukes’ unwavering dedication to ensuring affordability and accessibility in healthcare is the driving force behind Impulse Biomedical. Guided by the motto, “If you’re not making someone else’s life better, then you’re wasting your time,” he is committed to bringing about positive change. With a heartfelt passion for solving real-world problems through practical solutions, Giancarlo has been instrumental in developing breakthrough medical technologies. While completing his master's degree in biomedical engineering at the University of Cape Town, he invented and developed several pioneering devices across sports medicine, asthma, allergy, orthopaedics, and public health. These include the Laxmeter, a stress radiography device for measuring knee joint ligament laxity, the Easy Squeezy, a reusable sleeve attachment to enhance the usability of standard metered dose inhalers, and a needle and sharp crushing device for rural clinics. 

 Giancarlo leads corporate governance, fundraising, financial as well as performance management.

Gokul is driven by a deep curiosity and a belief that innovation should do more than just exist, it should change lives. Passionate about transforming ideas into practical, accessible healthcare solutions, he thrives at the intersection of innovation and real-world impact. While completing his master's degree in biomedical engineering at the University of Cape Town, he developed the ZiBiPen, a reloadable adrenaline auto-injector, and a drill guide test rig for patella femoral ligament surgery, both designed to address critical gaps in healthcare. With a sharp focus on problem-solving, he is always looking for ways to bridge the divide between cutting-edge technology and the people who need it most, ensuring that life-saving medical advancements are not just developed, but deployed where they can make a difference. 

Gokul leads strategic planning, business development, and innovation,  driving the company’s expansion.

Munya’s role at Impulse Biomed is to ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements, guaranteeing the production of high-quality products. He aspires to leave a lasting impact on the world of medical devices within the asthma and allergic reaction domains. Having lived with childhood asthma and experienced numerous hospital visits for nebulisation, he has a deep personal connection to the cause. Munya’s studies focused on characterising and mitigating airborne transmission of tuberculosis in minibus taxis. Additionally, he has gained valuable experience in the biotech industry, working on smartwatch applications for health, as well as collaborating with provincial government clinical engineering departments, conducting research on medical device maintenance programmes.

Roopam dedicates his expertise to the development of cutting-edge medical devices and orthopaedic implants. He collaborates with clinicians to advance research and development initiatives, mentors prospective postgraduate students, and provides guidance to emerging biomedical start-ups as they navigate the realm of clinical research.

He has worked in academic institutions in multiple countries, including France, India, and South Africa. Presently, he devotes his efforts to establishing fruitful partnerships between industry and academia, while also publishing groundbreaking research in respected journals.

Leanne pursued her master’s degree at Stellenbosch University while simultaneously working as a research engineer in thermodynamics. Seeking industry experience, she transitioned to a role as a mechanical services consulting engineer before returning to academia as a doctoral candidate at UCT, specialising in biomedical engineering. Her aspiration is to drive the growth of this field in South Africa, reducing the country's reliance on international products.

Kerstin is dedicated to transforming African healthcare. With a profound belief in approaching medical design from an African perspective, she places the local user and environment at the forefront of the design process. Having experienced diverse cultures worldwide, Kerstin is convinced that the continent offers limitless resources and innovation opportunities worthy of targeted development. In 2017, she co-founded an engineering consulting company, addressing challenges across various markets and tailoring solutions to local needs. Her unwavering commitment to solving medical and biomedical issues often leads her to tinker in her workshop, exploring unconventional approaches. Kerstin is currently pursuing her PhD in biomedical engineering.

With expertise in electronics design and software development, Jason brings a diverse skill set to his work. Beyond his engineering pursuits, Jason's passion for healthcare extends to volunteering as a medic on a community ambulance in Cape Town. This hands-on experience in low-resourced settings and exposure to the South African healthcare system have ignited his drive to make a meaningful impact in the medical field through engineering.

Azraa has a passion for problem-solving and collaboration. During her undergraduate years, Azraa undertook a compelling final-year project involving the analysis of sea ice footage from the Southern Ocean. Through the development of a sophisticated script, she successfully determined ice types and concentrations from a dataset of thermal videos. Her focus lies in the integration of electrical and mechanical systems, and she has a keen interest in software development – specifically computer vision. She excels in the sport of speedcubing.

Impulse Biomedical's resident Industrial Designer is passionate about all things design – which is evident in the remarkable creative instinct that comes through in his work. His expertise encompasses a wide range of creative disciplines, from intricate metal fabrication and innovative packaging solutions to immersive film set designs and captivating sculptures for artists. Having built and driven custom cars for Red Bull Racing, Dane is not afraid to put his designs through a gauntlet.

Grant initially joined the team as an intern while completing his master’s degree, during which he designed and developed two different medical devices for different clinical problems. Following his internship, Grant became a junior engineer, and now focuses on device testing, all things test rig-related (ideation, design, prototyping, development, calibration, validation, and maintenance), and inventory systems.

Saajida has a keen interest in the research and development of medical devices and their route to market.  She has experience in various roles – including design, regulatory strategy development and compliance, as well as in the marketing of medical devices. Her favourite sayings, borrowed from her mother, are: “Each to his own and God for all” and “Be positive”.

Lehan began his journey at Impulse Biomedical as an intern, eager to apply his engineering skills to real-world biomedical challenges. His curiosity and dedication led him to pursue a master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, during which he deepened his understanding of the complexities of the field. With a keen interest in device development, prototyping, and testing, Lehan plays a critical role in advancing Impulse’s cutting-edge medical technologies. Now a full-time Design Engineer, Lehan focuses on prototyping, test rig development, and validation processes to ensure that Impulse Biomedical’s innovations meet the highest standards. Passionate about strengthening South Africa’s biomedical industry, he is committed to deliberate and focused innovation that improves lives both locally and globally.