For Siddarth Nandyala, innovation is a calling and at just 14 years old, the Indian-American prodigy is already changing lives across continents.
It all began when Siddarth received his first STEM kit at age 7. “I fell in love instantly. The idea of creating something out of nothing completely fascinated me—it sparked a curiosity that has not left since,” he recalled in an interview with IndianExpress.com.
Today, Siddarth is the founder of two path-breaking ventures; STEM IT, an education startup aimed at revolutionizing how students learn tech, and Circadian AI, a healthtech solution that’s already detecting cardiovascular diseases in seconds.
Circadian AI: Tech that Listens to Your Heart
Siddarth’s second venture, Circadian AI, was born from a moment that changed everything. During a deployment in underserved communities, the app detected heart disease in patients who didn’t even know they were sick. “That moment—seeing someone’s future change in seconds—made me realise we weren’t just building software. We were building second chances,” he shared.
How it works is as simple as it is powerful:
Users place a smartphone on the 5th intercostal space of the chest, record the heart sound, and hit ‘analyze.’ In seconds, the AI processes the data and offers a preliminary heart health report.
Tested at Guntur Government General Hospital and GGH Vijayawada, the app screened over 2,300 patients across multiple pilot studies, accurately flagging 45+ cases of cardiovascular disease, later validated by ECG, 2D echo, and reviewed by cardiologists.
What’s even more impressive? Siddarth developed the entire platform including data collection, AI model training, mobile UI, and clinical validation in just seven months.
From STEM to Strategy
Siddarth’s first startup, STEM IT, was driven by frustration with traditional learning materials. “They teach surface-level theory but fail to show students how things work in the real world,” he explained. STEM IT bridges that gap by offering students hands-on tools to build, tinker, and innovate igniting the same curiosity that changed Siddarth’s life.
Recognised by Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, Siddarth’s work has also earned him letters of commendation from former U.S. Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama.
Innovation with Empathy
At the heart of Siddarth’s work is a commitment to ethical AI. “It’s essential to think about how the model was trained, who it represents, and whether the results are explainable—to both doctors and patients,” he said.
Inspired by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Siddarth believes innovation is the heartbeat of progress. “Every bold idea, no matter how small, has the potential to shift industries, solve critical problems, and reach people across the globe. The tools are already in your hands—you just have to begin.”
More Than a Prodigy
When he’s not building AI or pitching products, Siddarth loves to play golf and chess, both of which, he says, keep his mind sharp and his thinking strategic. “Chess teaches you to think five steps ahead, which really helps in AI and entrepreneurship.”
With future plans to expand Circadian AI into pulmonary disease detection, Siddarth is determined to democratize diagnostics and make critical healthcare tools accessible in even the most remote regions.
As he continues to blend technical genius with human-first design, Siddarth Nandyala stands as a beacon for the future for a generation of builders who are not just coding apps but coding hope.