Cappella

Cappella is an AI-powered mobile health application that analyzes infant cries to identify babies' needs and potential health issues, founded by Apolline Deroche (MIT Sloan MFin '22) and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The app uses machine learning models trained on cry sound datasets labeled by pediatric professionals to transform smartphones into pediatric health monitoring devices. When a baby cries near the device, Cappella's audio analysis classifies the probable cause — hunger, discomfort, pain, or illness — and delivers personalized interventions and guidance to caregivers. The platform also generates soothing sounds for infants alongside its diagnostic capabilities. Cappella targets underserved communities with limited healthcare access, operating on a freemium model where basic cry analysis is free and advanced features (detailed health insights, historical data analysis, and parenting resources) require a subscription. The company completed the Techstars accelerator program and received seed investment from angel investors and foundation grants focused on child health innovation. Cappella has team members with backgrounds from MIT, Berkeley, and Stanford and operates in Romania, the UAE, and the United States.