Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Our project is an assistive technology for children with autism and persons experiencing urinary incontinence.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

The assistive technology we are building aims to ease the caregivers work by predicting when the child is about to go to the the washroom. This is predicted using various physiological factors that prevent the child or the patient from soiling. Some factors the caregiver has to fill in to train the model are: type of food and drinks, day activities eg swimming, running etc, time of day and soiling frequency. We also aim to create awareness on Autism as well as offer effective toilet training techniques to the caregiver and/or parent.

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

How can we develop an AI-powered solution to detect/predict signals from individuals who have difficulty controlling their bladder functions or have soiling challenges when it comes to personal relief, particularly those with conditions such as autism that affect verbal communication?

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

1. Caregiver already have a traditional version of this where they use a sheet of paper to track the time period when the child is about to soil. Our project therefore automates the entire period and does digital analysis with the use of AI. 2. we're aiming to make daily life smoother and more dignified for everyone involved. Our AI-powered app acts as a gentle guardian, quietly observing patterns and signals. When it senses that a person may need to use the restroom soon, it sends a discreet message to the caregiver, reminding them to offer assistance. 3. For those undergoing toilet training, our app becomes a supportive coach, providing consistent reminders and guidance. It's not just about avoiding accidents; it's about fostering independence and self-confidence.

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

Caregivers and institutions of people and children living with autism. Patients in hospitals who experience urinary incontince as well as nurses who aid the patients.

01.05 When was your company established?

2024-05-28

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

No

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

2

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

1

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

1. Josephat Onkoba: Software Engineer - Nationality: Kenyan - Experience: -Background in Software Engineering, specializing in Artificial Intelligence for good health and well-being. -Proficient in building machine learning models and developing robust web systems. -Project management 2. James Riri: Machine Learning Engineer - Nationality: Kenyan - Experience: -As a machine learning engineer, James is responsible for designing, implementing, and optimizing machine learning algorithms and models. - Plays a crucial role in developing and optimizing data pipelines, automating model deployment processes, and implementing monitoring systems to track model performance and reliability. -Technical mentor

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

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

We are not solving a no poverty problem

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

We are not solving a zero hunger problem

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

1. Improved Hygiene: Soiling challenges lead to hygiene challenges. We contribute to improved hygiene practices, reducing the risk of infections and promoting overall well-being. 2. Reduced Social Stigma: Soiling challenges lead to social stigma. By preventing them, we can help autistic children avoid these negative experiences and promote social acceptance. 3. Ease the work of the caregivers: Caregivers experience challenges in changing diapers and clothes as often as the child or patient soils.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

We are not solving a quality education problem

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

We are not solving a gender equality problem

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

5

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

The project is solving a sanitation issue especially for people living in marginalised areas and also for people who cannot afford to by adult diapers.

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

We are not solving a affordable and clean energy problem

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

We are not solving a decent work and economic growth problem

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

The project we're building is highly innovative since no other AI powered healthcare app for people with soiling or urinary incontinence issues has been developed.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

1. 90% of assistive technologies in Kenya are imported. This means that there aren't locally made assistive technologies that address the soiling issue. 2. Autism stigma: Fear of accidents limit participation of the child in school activities, outings, and social events. 3. Reduced Healthcare Costs: Frequent accidents lead to increased healthcare costs for diaper changes, skin irritation treatment, or cleaning supplies.

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

We are not solving a sustainable cities and communities problem

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

We are not solving a responsible consumption and production problem

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

We are not solving a climate action problem

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

We are not solving a life below water problem

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

We are not solving a life and land problem

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

We are not solving a peace, justice and strong institutions problem

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

We are not solving a partnerships for the goals problem

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

6

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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.

5

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

6

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.

3

06.08 Justification for my startup

This assistive technology is an entirely new innovation. Similar apps include the menstrual flow app and healthcare tracking apps, but none has been geared toward people living with disabilities. Other technologies in line with this are pull up diapers and toilet training techniques. Ours aims to predict and hence avoid soiling.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Companies that produce diapers as well as healthcare tracking companies.

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

Not yet, I am just a budding entrepreneur as well. I would however, start such an initiative should I receive good mentorship and scale up in my entrepreneurial journey since others have made it easy for me as well through inspiration and sharing such opportunities as this.