Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

We work toward safeguarding the lives of mothers through preventive maternal and infant health education. We address barriers to maternal healthcare in Africa with an AI-enabled maternal tracking app and medically-backed maternal healthcare courses.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Hayah Bloom is a FemTech maternal and infant healthcare startup with a mission to reduce the maternal and infant mortality rate by fostering an informed, safe and enjoyable pregnancy for African women through preventive healthcare. We bridge the gap between the healthcare system, mothers, and their partners by offering preventive education. Our medically backed hybrid courses, culturally relevant content, and AI-enabled maternal tracking application are tailored to the specific needs of African women. We are confident that our innovative approach will empower countless mothers, improve healthcare outcomes, and ultimately save lives.

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

Our primary focus is to address the critical lack of access to medically backed preventive health education and information which leads to maternal and infant mortality. Through research involving 260 women in Kenya and Rwanda, we found that 80% faced significant maternal healthcare challenges. We identified three main pain points: - Kenya alone experiences about 5,000 maternal deaths annually, with over 80% being preventable through better healthcare access - Inaccurate information about maternal health leads to maternal and infant mortality. - With only 600 registered obstetricians and gynecologists for 1.5 million pregnant women annually in Kenya, the healthcare system is critically overstretched.

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

Our product provides several key advantages: 1. Access to convenient, affordable medically backed hybrid courses, addressing the challenge of accessing maternal healthcare professionals. 2. Culturally Tailored Preventive Healthcare: By focusing on African maternal experiences and collaborating with doctors, we provide culturally relevant information that emphasizes preventive healthcare. This approach significantly enhances maternal and child health outcomes by promoting early intervention and proactive care. Enhanced Data Collection: The data collected by our AI and Tracking App will strengthen critical maternal health systems. By analyzing this data, we can identify trends, predict potential issues, and develop targeted interventions to improve overall maternal health services.

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

Our startup addresses maternal and infant mortality by serving diverse beneficiaries: 1. African Women and Their Support Communities: Our focus is on African women, especially those starting families and first-time mothers. We provide culturally tailored support spanning preconception to postpartum care. This empowers women and their networks with informed health decisions through preventive healthcare information. 2. Healthcare Professionals: We empower healthcare professionals to create and distribute content effectively. Our technology-driven platform extends healthcare access to remote areas, ensuring essential maternal health information reaches more women. 3. Health Systems: Leveraging AI, we collect and analyze data to identify regional trends and formulate targeted strategies. This data-driven approach strengthens health systems, optimizes resource allocation, and enhances maternal health service quality.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-11-29

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

2

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

2

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

Christine Nyakerario Graduated: York University, Canada, 2010, Bachelor of Arts - Psychology Experience: With over 8 years in marketing & branding, Christine has crafted and executed successful campaigns for 6+ organizations, driving brand visibility and engagement. Christine is our Chief Operations Officer and she manages daily operations, streamlines processes, and drives growth to ensure our company's success. Jael Walukwe Graduated: Mount Kenya University - Bachelor in Human Resource Management, Bachelor of Commerce ( Human Resources) 2018 - 2022 As a People & Culture specialist, Jael has supported over a dozen businesses in establishing robust HR operations and fostering positive organizational cultures. Jael is our Chief Executive Officer and she steers strategic planning, drives growth initiatives, and shapes our vision and mission.

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

https://www.instagram.com/hayahbloom/

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

Other: FemTech

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

Our startup advances the Good Health and Well-Being goal by focusing on maternal and infant healthcare in Africa. We empower mothers with comprehensive, medically backed courses for safe pregnancies and infant care. Our AI-driven maternal tracking app provides personalized health monitoring, culturally relevant information, and timely prenatal care reminders. By equipping mothers with knowledge, we empower them to advocate for their health, preventing conditions like trauma, pre-eclampsia and postpartum depression, which impact both mothers and their communities. Through our preventive healthcare approach and enhanced access to quality maternal health resources, we aim to reduce adverse outcomes and improve overall well-being. Aligned with global health objectives, our efforts promote informed decision-making, healthier pregnancies, and contribute to stronger communities across Africa.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Education is a crucial indicator of gender equality, and our startup plays a pivotal role by providing mothers with medically backed education. This empowers them to advocate for their health and well-being, leading to positive outcomes not only for themselves but also for their children and communities. When women are empowered with health knowledge, they are more likely to raise healthier children and contribute meaningfully to society, thus enabling them to thrive and achieve their full potential. By addressing specific maternal care needs and promoting proactive healthcare, we contribute directly to gender equity in healthcare. Our efforts aim to empower women to lead healthier lives, break barriers, and inspire broader societal change towards greater gender equality.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

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

We contribute to Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure by leveraging innovative technologies and approaches to advance maternal and infant healthcare. Our AI-enabled maternal tracking application and medically backed hybrid courses not only enhance healthcare infrastructure but also significantly strengthen innovation within the maternal health industry. By bridging gaps in healthcare delivery and offering culturally tailored solutions, we foster a climate of continuous improvement and pioneering advancements. Our efforts to integrate cutting-edge technologies with personalized care not only improve health outcomes but also stimulate new ideas and methodologies in maternal healthcare. This approach not only aligns with the goals of SDG 9 but also positions us at the forefront of driving sustainable innovations that benefit healthcare systems globally.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Our startup plays a crucial role in advancing the Reduced Inequalities goal by providing essential healthcare access to underserved communities through culturally relevant solutions tailored to African women. We specifically target those at the bottom of the pyramid who are disproportionately affected by high rates of maternal and infant mortality. Our preventive healthcare courses and AI-enabled maternal tracking app are designed to meet their unique needs. Operating in a hybrid model that accommodates both online and offline access ensures that even those with limited internet connectivity can benefit. By prioritizing affordability, we aim to create a level playing field where women from diverse socio-economic backgrounds can access critical preventive maternal healthcare education. This approach not only reduces disparities but also empowers women to make informed health decisions, ultimately contributing to more equitable health outcomes across Africa.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

n/a

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

Our startup contributes to the Partnerships for the Goals by leveraging AI and strategic partnerships to drive innovative solutions in maternal and infant health. We collaborate with healthcare professionals, local organizations, and tech professionals to develop and deliver comprehensive, culturally relevant maternal health resources. Our AI-enabled maternal tracking app integrates insights from these partnerships to provide personalized, real-time support for expectant mothers. By fostering a collaborative ecosystem, we enhance the effectiveness and reach of our services, ultimately improving health outcomes for mothers and infants in underserved communities.

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

2

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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.

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

5

06.08 Justification for my startup

Our project is uniquely innovative in several key aspects: AI Integration for Underserved Markets: By harnessing AI technology, we're addressing gaps in maternal healthcare for underserved African women. Our AI-enabled maternal tracking app provides personalized support and real-time guidance, significantly enhancing accessibility and effectiveness in this demographic. Culturally Sensitive Care: We prioritize culturally sensitive care tailored specifically to the holistic needs of African women. This approach ensures that our services resonate deeply with our target audience, fostering trust and engagement. Breaking Cultural Taboos: We boldly address once-taboo topics within African cultures surrounding maternal health. By initiating and facilitating these conversations, we aim to promote awareness, education, and positive health outcomes, thereby contributing to societal change.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Our top two direct competitors include: 1. Malaica (Kenya): Targets lower to middle-income urban mothers with online support and a subscription model, focusing on localized pregnancy support. 2. Baby Center: Global app for pregnancy and parenting with personalized guidance and a community focus. Free with in-app purchases, potentially lacking cultural relevance. What Sets Us Apart: 1. Culturally Tailored Content: Our resources are uniquely tailored to African mothers, ensuring relevance and resonance. 2. End-to-End Support: We provide comprehensive care from preconception to postpartum, addressing the full maternal journey. 3. AI-Enabled Maternal Tracking App: Our advanced AI app offers personalized guidance and real-time support, enhancing user experience and health outcomes. By integrating AI with culturally relevant content and comprehensive support, Hayah stands out as the ultimate destination for maternal healthcare, redefining accessibility and effectiveness in the field.

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

Yes, we are actively promoting the role of female entrepreneurs within our community. By hiring female community health workers, we provide employment opportunities and empower women to take on leadership roles in maternal healthcare. Additionally, as we engage with mothers and offer them informed choices on their birth experiences, we connect them with female-led consultancies run by doulas, nutritionists, and other specialists. This not only ignites their passion but also provides visible proof of their own potential, fostering a supportive ecosystem for female entrepreneurship within our community.