Cape Town, South Africa, May 06, 2026
Anza Fund Manager is excited to announce that one of their portfolio companies Impulse Biomedical, a Cape Town-based healthcare company focused on advancing asthma and allergy care through developing more accessible and patient-focused products, have been accepted into the Maryland Global Gateway Soft Landing Program, which marks a major milestone in its global expansion plans. The company, focused on developing and commercialising its patented ZiBiPenTM reloadable autoinjector and patented Easy SqueezyTM asthma assist device, addresses key health-related challenges that significantly impact communities across the United States and Africa.
The Maryland Department of Commerce officially welcomed Impulse into the Global Gateway Program April, with an announcement on their website. The program provides international companies with the support and resources to establish a US presence, including access to facilities, capital, and partner advisors who have appropriate industry knowledge to support the growth of the companies.
“We are truly honoured to be part of the program as establishing our US presence through the Maryland Global Gateway program is a pivotal milestone for Impulse Biomedical,” said Giancarlo Beukes, Co-Founder. “The strategic support from the Maryland Department of Commerce and the specialised expertise at The LaunchPort will be key in smoothing our transition into the US market, ensuring we are well positioned for long-term success and impact.”
This sentiment was echoed by fellow Co-Founder Gokul Nair. “We believe that Maryland is the ideal launchpad for the ZiBiPen in particular. The ecosystem offers a direct line to regulatory expertise, manufacturing infrastructure, and commercial partners essential for market disruption and of course, impact.”
As part of Impulse’s global expansion strategy, the company officially took up residence at The LaunchPort, a Medtech manufacturing accelerator in Baltimore, MD, earlier this year. The move was facilitated by ANZA Fund Manager, one of Impulse’s lead investors, aiming to unlock new strategic pathways to support the company’s growth: “Anza is proud to back bold African Founders like Giancarlo and Gokul, who are creating world changing technology. Through our U.S. based Board Director, Robert E. Williams, we are pleased to open this strategic bridge in connecting our top portfolio companies to the U.S. market. Impulse Biomed is paving the way.” - Audrey Verhaeghe, CEO, Anza Fund Manager.
During the company’s residency at The Launchport, Impulse will focus on establishing local operations, engaging with regulators to guide approval processes, and initiating technology transfer to set up manufacturing and sterilisation efforts at The Launchport.
About
Impulse Biomedical is a healthcare company revolutionising healthcare through accessible, sustainable innovation. Their flagship product, the ZiBiPen, is a world-first reloadable epinephrine auto-injector, utilising a globally patented design that replaces only the medication cartridge upon expiry, to reduce costs and medical waste. Complementing this is the Easy Squeezy, an ergonomic inhaler sleeve that reduces activation force by 3X, clinically proven to improve lung function and asthma control. With over 22,000 units sold, Impulse Biomedical continues to disrupt the allergy and respiratory markets, leveraging patient-centric design to ensure life-saving treatments are affordable and user-friendly for global communities.
Anza Fund Manager is a South African Venture Capital Firm. Anza Capital | Africa’s Early-Stage Venture Capital Fund Anza Fund Manager is committed to investing in the future of industries that have the power to transform society. Food, Health, Digital inclusion and Climate Technologies are major focus areas. Anza is a trusted investor in early-stage companies that add value by helping companies to expand internationally.
Contact
Giancarlo Beukes, Co-Founder & Managing Director, giancarlo@impulsebiomed.com Audrey Verhaeghe, CEO of Anza Fund Manager, start@anza.holdings