Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Prothea Kenya leverages advanced 3D printing technology to produce affordable, high-quality prosthetics and orthotics, offering custom-fitted devices with rapid production times, and delivering services directly to patients' homes, enhancing accessibility

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Prothea Kenya utilizes cutting-edge 3D printing technology to create affordable, high-quality prosthetic and orthotic devices tailored to individual needs. Founded with a mission to address the significant gap in prosthetic care in East Africa, We offer a scalable and adaptable solution that reduces production time to as little as 9 hours. Our innovative approach ensures that patients receive custom-fitted devices without the need to travel, as we provide home service capabilities, reaching even the most remote areas. This model not only enhances accessibility and patient comfort but also significantly lowers costs compared to traditional methods. Our devices are fully customizable, ensuring optimal fit and satisfaction. We partner with local healthcare providers and leverage our strong European collaborations to deliver top-tier products and services. Committed to sustainable development, Prothea Kenya contributes to several UN SDGs, including good health and well-being.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

The main problem Prothea Kenya is addressing is the lack of affordable, high-quality prosthetic and orthotic devices in East Africa. Traditional prosthetic manufacturing methods are expensive, time-consuming, and often inaccessible to many individuals who need them. This results in a significant gap in care, where thousands of amputees and individuals requiring orthotic support are unable to obtain the necessary devices to improve their mobility and quality of life. Inaccessible prosthetics not only impact physical health but also limit opportunities for education, employment, and overall societal participation, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality. By leveraging advanced 3D printing technology, Prothea Kenya reduces production costs and time, enabling rapid delivery of custom-fitted devices. Our home service model further enhances accessibility by eliminating the need for patients to travel to workshops, ensuring that even those in remote areas receive the care they need.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your startup provides (at least 3).

Prothea Kenya offers several major benefits include 1. Affordability: By leveraging advanced 3D printing technology, we significantly reduce material and manufacturing costs. This enables us to provide high-quality prosthetic and orthotic devices at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods, making them accessible to a broader population. 2. Customization and Comfort: Our 3D scanning uses an open-source software and process that allows for the creation of custom-fitted devices tailored to the unique needs of each patient. This ensures optimal fit, comfort, and functionality, leading to higher patient satisfaction and better overall outcomes. 3. Rapid Production and Accessibility: We can produce and deliver prosthetic and orthotic devices in as little as 9 hours. Additionally, our home service capability eliminates the need for patients to travel to workshops, ensuring that even those in remote areas get our services.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your startup’s product/service is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Prothea Kenya’s prosthetic and orthotic solutions are aimed at serving a diverse range of beneficiaries primarily in East Africa. They include: 1. Amputees: Individuals who have lost limbs due to accidents, medical conditions such as diabetes, cancer, peripheral vascular disease, or congenital issues. A recent study revealed that 79% of amputees in Kenya lack access to prosthetic devices. 2. Individuals with Orthopedic Conditions: Patients requiring customized orthotic support for various orthopedic conditions. 3. Low-income and Remote Populations: Our home service capability ensures that these individuals receive the necessary devices without the need for long-distance travel while reducing the cost compared to market rates. 4. Healthcare Providers: Local clinics, hospitals, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that seek reliable and affordable prosthetic and orthotic solutions for their patients, enhancing the overall healthcare infrastructure in the region.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-02-15

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

1

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

0

01.09 Please describe the profile of the other owners within your startup (skills, experience, etc.)

He is the Co-Founder of Ugani Prosthetics, a social enterprise registered in Belgium with a goal: to help the 35 million amputees in developing countries get a better life by facilitating access to low-cost prosthetics. To do so, the Ugani team has come up with a process which uses low-cost tools and open-source software to make all kinds of prosthetics and orthotics. Not only are they up to 5 times cheaper, but the quality is European grade and the production time is up to 100x faster. This means many more patients can be helped with the same human and financial resources. Ugani does not make prosthetics but trains local specialists to use this innovative procedure, hence ensuring empowerment of the locals and a long-lasting positive impact on the community. He also co-founded Prothea Kenya, which is a local P&O workshop that uses the 3D workflow from Ugani. Here we do make prostheses and orthoses that directly impact the lives of our patients.

01.10 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link(s) here:

https://www.prothea.co.ke/

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

f) Healthcare (healthcare equipment and services)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Prothea Kenya provides affordable prosthetic and orthotic devices, significantly reducing the financial burden on low-income families. This enables individuals to regain mobility and access to employment opportunities, thus contributing to poverty reduction and helping to integrate the patients back into their livelihood.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

4

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

02.03.01 My startup contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification for my startup

Prothea Kenya is at the forefront of enhancing health outcomes by providing high-quality, affordable, and custom-fitted prosthetic and orthotic devices. Our innovative approach directly improves the physical well-being, mobility, and overall health of individuals who would otherwise face significant barriers to obtaining necessary medical devices. Traditional prosthetics are often prohibitively expensive and not tailored to the unique needs of each patient, leading to discomfort and limited use. In contrast, Prothea Kenya utilizes advanced 3D printing technology to create custom-fitted devices that ensure a perfect fit and maximum comfort, significantly enhancing the user experience. Furthermore, we employ a holistic approach to patient management making it a one-stop shop. We have an in-house Orthopedic Surgeon (myself), 3 prosthetists, and on-call physiotherapists, and psychotherapists who review patients when indicated. We do a thorough follow up making sure our patients thrive.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

6

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

Improved mobility significantly enhances the ability of individuals, especially children, to attend school regularly, directly impacting their educational outcomes. Prothea Kenya’s affordable and custom-fitted prosthetic and orthotic devices ensure that children with disabilities can actively participate in school activities, fostering a more inclusive educational environment. Beyond providing these essential devices, Prothea Kenya has the potential to partner with educational institutions to spread awareness and educate communities about prosthetics and orthotics. In my career, I have seen individuals like a double above-knee amputee who, since 2014, did not know about the availability of affordable prosthetics and counted himself out, assuming he could not afford them. By collaborating with schools and community centers, Prothea Kenya can conduct educational programs and workshops that inform the public about the advancements in prosthetic technology and their accessibility

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Prothea Kenya promotes gender equality by providing equal access to prosthetic and orthotic care for both men and women, enhancing their ability to participate fully in society and the economy. Moreover, 2/6 employees are women. Our workshop manager has thrived in her role and has won an accolade from the opportunities she got at our startup. The second one is an amputee herself and in charge of community outreach campaigns. We are also holding a fashion show event in August 2024 and will add more dignity to our amputee models, who are mostly women. We believe in equal opportunities for all

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

3

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

3

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

By providing high-quality, affordable, and custom-fitted prosthetic and orthotic devices, Prothea Kenya enables individuals to regain mobility and, consequently, their ability to participate actively in the workforce. This restoration of physical capability is crucial for individuals who have faced barriers to employment due to disabilities, thereby enhancing their economic productivity and contributing to overall economic growth. The ability to work not only improves the livelihoods of individuals but also reduces dependency on social support systems, fostering greater economic self-sufficiency and resilience. Furthermore, Prothea Kenya's innovative approach creates a ripple effect of economic benefits. The startup itself generates employment opportunities within the local economy, from skilled prosthetists and physiotherapists to administrative and support staff. This job creation extends beyond direct employment, stimulating related industries such as logistics, materials supply

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

By leveraging cutting-edge 3D printing technology, Prothea Kenya is at the forefront of innovation in the medical device industry. This technological advancement enables the production of high-quality, custom-fitted prosthetic and orthotic devices with remarkable efficiency and affordability. The innovative use of 3D printing not only enhances the quality of healthcare but also significantly reduces production times and costs. This democratizes access to essential medical devices, ensuring that even underserved populations can benefit from advanced prosthetic solutions. Furthermore, Prothea Kenya's approach promotes the development of local manufacturing infrastructure, creating a robust ecosystem that supports sustainable economic growth. Prothea Kenya exemplifies how technological innovation can drive industry transformation and infrastructure development, aligning perfectly with the goals of this SDG.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Prothea Kenya makes prosthetic and orthotic care accessible to underserved and marginalized populations, reducing health disparities and promoting social inclusion.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

5

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

mproved mobility for individuals contributes to more inclusive and resilient communities, enhancing the overall quality of urban and rural life.

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

6

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

Unlike traditional manufacturing methods, which often result in substantial material waste and environmental degradation, 3D printing offers a more sustainable alternative by promoting efficient use of materials. Prothea Kenya's approach ensures that prosthetic and orthotic devices are produced with precision, using only the necessary amount of material. This method drastically reduces waste, conserving valuable resources and minimizing the environmental footprint of the manufacturing process. By optimizing material usage, Prothea Kenya not only cuts down on waste but also lowers the energy consumption associated with production, further contributing to environmental sustainability. Prothea Kenya is proving that it is possible to achieve high-quality healthcare outcomes while also protecting our planet. This emphasis on reducing waste and promoting efficient resource use positions Prothea as a leader in responsible consumption and production, paving the way for a sustainable future

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

4

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

3

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

3

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

02.16.01 My startup contributes to the Peace Justice and Strong Institutions goal

5

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

By promoting social inclusion and equality through improved healthcare access, Prothea Kenya contributes to more peaceful and just communities.

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

6

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

Prothea Kenya collaborates with local and international partners to enhance its impact, fostering global cooperation to achieve sustainable development goals.

06.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

3

06.02 The product/service represents an entirely new type of product/service.

5

06.03 The product/service could be described as a new technology.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.04 The product/service is an improvement on an existing product or service.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.05 The product/service could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

4

06.06 The product/service responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

6

06.07 The product/service is a new version of an old product/service.

5

06.08 Justification for my startup

Prothea Kenya's product represents a significant advancement in the field of prosthetics and orthotics through the use of cutting-edge 3D printing technology. While there are existing prosthetic and orthotic products in the market, our solution stands out as an entirely new approach, leveraging innovative technology to deliver custom-fitted, affordable devices. This makes it a new technology and a substantial improvement on traditional prosthetics, which are often expensive and not tailored to individual needs. Our product fills a critical gap in the market by addressing the unmet demand for high-quality, affordable prosthetics and orthotics, particularly in underserved regions. Although it can be seen as a new version of traditional prosthetics, it also extends the range of available options by offering a more personalized and efficient solution. Thus, Prothea Kenya’s product is a unique blend of innovation and improvement, setting a new standard in the industry.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Our main potential competitors include Gateway Prosthetics, Ottobock, Kenyatta National Hospital, and Cure International Hospital in Kijabe - which primarily focuses on providing prosthetic devices for children. All these institutions rely on traditional methods of prosthetic socket fabrication. What sets Prothea Kenya apart is our exclusive use of advanced 3D printing technology to produce custom-fitted prosthetic devices. This innovative approach not only reduces production time and costs but also allows for a higher degree of customization and comfort for our patients. As the only solely 3D printing prosthetic company in the region, we offer a unique blend of affordability, precision, and accessibility that traditional methods cannot match. This technological edge enables us to meet the specific needs of our patients more effectively, making high-quality prosthetic care accessible to a broader population, especially in underserved areas.

11.05 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

yes, we empowered our manager Faith and had her go through an entrepreneurship training program- Bridge for Billions. She emerged first place in her category, thus positioning herself as a potential future entrepreneur. I am also interested in artificial intelligence and am currenlty looking for a female developer who could help Prothea Explorer Kenya explore artificial intelligence applications in our workflow.