Trailblazing Tech: How Teqnizan CEO Rama Prasad Is Redefining Outdoor Audio, One Innovation at a Time

Rama Prasad always knew she had a knack for numbers. Growing up in India, she watched her father—a civil engineer—bring complex ideas to life, and realized early on that engineering was in her DNA. That talent and curiosity took her to one of the most prestigious engineering schools in the country, where she was one of only seven women accepted out of 300 students. “Back then, it was rare,” she recalls. “But I never thought of myself as different. I just loved solving problems.”

After earning her degree in mechanical engineering, Rama’s first job was on the factory floor at Hindustan Lever, the Indian subsidiary of Unilever. As one of the only women engineers, she stood out—but not just because of her gender. “I don’t think people were being sexist. We’re just one generation into women becoming visible in these roles. It’s unfamiliar, not unfriendly,” she explains.

Her path soon led to the U.S., where she earned a PhD from Cornell University, and then joined HP. There, Rama helped engineer some of the company’s most successful products, including inkjet printers that generated over a billion dollars annually. She held leadership roles in R&D and systems integration, racking up seven patents as co-inventor. She also worked on cutting-edge technologies like MEMS light modulators and rear-projection TVs. “It was a crash course in scaling innovation and thinking commercially,” she says.

In 2008, Rama left HP and dove deeper into advanced engineering and materials research. In 2013, she helped turn a high-level academic paper into a real company: a nanotech startup called Xallent, which is still growing today. But it was a conversation with an old Cornell friend—an engineer turned fashion designer—that sparked her next big idea.

That idea? Turn earrings into smart, safe, stylish earbuds.

By 2016, Rama had sketched out the vision for Teqnizan: wireless, open-ear music earbuds built into lightweight, fashion-forward earrings. “The electronics were the easy part,” she says with a smile. “What was new for me was turning tech into something people wanted to wear all day.”

The first version was too heavy. So, they redesigned. Again, and again. “We figured out quickly what didn’t work. That’s how innovation happens.” Why earrings? “People have worn earrings for centuries,” Rama says. “It’s natural. It doesn’t feel like tech. It feels like you.”

Today, Teqnizan Music Earrings combine sleek design with serious engineering. They use wireless transducers, AI-powered edge computing, and open-ear audio so wearers can stay connected and aware of their surroundings. For outdoor lovers—whether you’re hiking, camping, biking, or just walking the dog—that’s a big deal. You can stream your favorite podcast, audiobook, or playlist and still hear birdsong, trail traffic, or conversations around you.

With secure 2.4GHz connectivity, a comfortable stay-put design, and a lightweight feel, they’re ideal for all-day wear—on Zoom calls or mountain trails. Every Teqnizan set includes earbuds, charging case, sleek metal earrings (available in hypoallergenic gold-plated silver or bright silver), and easy-to-follow instructions.

Customization options let you express your personal style, and Rama’s team is always exploring new styles and finishes. Three patents protect their circuit and acoustic design, and two copyrights cover the earring artwork.

Since launching, Teqnizan has been featured in top startup accelerator programs including Lunar Startups (Minneapolis), Rev Ithaca, and the Hardware Manufacturing Accelerator. It took home the Best Innovation Award in 2023 and earned a LaunchMN Innovation Grant in 2022. But while the tech has come naturally, Rama admits fashion is a different kind of challenge. “Consumers are always chasing what’s next,” she says. “But we’ve built something lasting—something useful and beautiful.”

Running her own company for the past eight years has sharpened Rama’s business instincts. “I’ve become a better leader, a smarter operator,” she says. “But what I’m proudest of is that every single review we’ve received has been five stars. People love this product.”

Looking ahead, Rama envisions Teqnizan growing beyond fashion—into healthcare, enterprise, and outdoor markets where function and safety matter just as much as style. For anyone who spends time outdoors and wants to hear the world while staying connected, Teqnizan is a game-changer.

�� Ready to experience the freedom of open-ear, all-day wearable sound?

Visit www.teqnizan.com and get yours today. Camping.Tools members get 20% off using code TOOL20.