Nigeria - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Smart Bliwrapper is an improved phototherapy device for effectively treating Jaundice in small and sick newborns in Africa.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Neowel Solutions Limited, a biomedical startup, co-founded by four University of Lagos Undergraduates, is dedicated to transforming neonatal care. Our first product, the Smart Biliwrapper is an innovative phototherapy device that addresses the global issue of neonatal mortality by solving the widespread condition of Jaundice in newborns. The Smart Biliwrapper is an enhanced, smart and mother-to-newborn bond phototherapy device for effective treatment of jaundice in African neonates. It adopts sensor technology, blue LED light and locally sourced materials in a blanket form to be wrapped around the jaundiced neonate for treatment. Having developed the Minimum Viable Product we are currently still in the testing phase where we have successfully validated the Blue LEDs we are using and preparing for clinical trials.

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

Neonatal Mortality: According to Nigeria Statistics, one in every twenty-two newborns die as a result of jaundice. Ineffective Therapy: During our visit to hospitals in Nigeria, we discovered that existing overhead phototherapy can only perform single phototherapy, hence the light is only shone on the front of the baby. Also, mothers usually remove their babies from the cot or incubators thereby breaking the therapy when they need to breastfeed, or perform Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) for their baby. Cost: Existing overhead phototherapy units are more than 300 USD. Biliblankets aboard are more than 3000 USD and not accessible to us in Nigeria. Prematurity: There is also the need to make premature babies mature which the existing product is not solving with the fact that 80% of preterm babies develop Jaundice in the first week of life.

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

The Smart Biliwrapper allows Kangaroo Mother Care to be performed simultaneously as it treats Jaundice in the process, encouraging mother-to-neonate bond. The Smart Biliwrapper is affordable to hospitals with a projected amount of less than 150 USD because 80% of the materials used are locally sourced. Smart Biliwrapper achieves triple phototherapy, that is, the Blue LEDs are shining on the maximum surface area of the neonate’s body. Smart Biliwrapper can be used during breastfeeding, in the incubator and at home. Smart Biliwrapper curbs light pollution in the hospital ward during therapy.

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

Jaundiced neonates Premature newborns Nursing mothers Pediatric units

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-11-17

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

No

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

3

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.)

CTO - Chiamaka Okey-Ihedi (female): Mechanical Engineering undergraduate with 12 months of experience in industrial automation, fabrication and IoT. CAO - Emmanuel Ajegbo (male): Biomedical Engineering undergraduate with 8 months in Customer relationship and data analytical skills. Also currently undergoing internship in an Hospital for 6 months. CMO - Eniola Alex (male): Therapeutics undergraduate with 3 years of product design and research experience.

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

https://www.linkedin.com/company/smart-biliwrapper/

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

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

The Smart Biliwrapper directly addresses neonatal jaundice, a major health issue contributing to high neonatal mortality rates and neurological disability in Nigeria according to target 3.3 of ending all preventable deaths under 5 years of age. By providing an effective and affordable solution for treating jaundice, the device ensures healthier lives for newborns and promotes their well-being from the earliest stages of life. Its ability to be used in various settings, such as during breastfeeding, during Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) and in incubators, enhances its accessibility and continuous care, crucial for the well-being of neonates.

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

Smart Biliwrapper encourages gender equality as aligned with SDG 5 by enabling both parents to participate equally in the care of their infant, including during Kangaroo Mother Care. It allows either the mother or father to use the device, promoting shared domestic responsibilities and reducing the care burden typically placed on women since KMC can be carried out by either the mother or father as long as skin-to-skin contact is achieved.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

2

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

Neowel Solutions Limited’s Smart Biliwrapper aligns to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy by leveraging rechargeable batteries, planning for solar panel integration, and designing an energy-efficient, cost-effective medical device. This approach supports the transition to clean energy solutions in healthcare, particularly in underserved regions.

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

The Smart Biliwrapper is a catalyst for economic and social development. By promoting health, creating jobs, supporting SMEs, improving productivity, ensuring sustainability, and facilitating global development.

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 Smart Biliwrapper is an innovative medical device that leverages locally sourced materials and advanced sensor technology to create a cost-effective solution. This fosters local industry by utilizing local resources and expertise. Additionally, it introduces a novel approach to phototherapy that addresses the limitations of existing treatments, such as single-sided phototherapy and light pollution in hospital wards. This innovation promotes sustainable industrial practices and enhances healthcare infrastructure.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

For existing overhead phototherapy, and biliblanket, they do not consider that 80% of premature babies have Jaundice according to the British Journal of Hospital Medicine, and for this reason, babies are not able to undergo Kangaroo Mother Care which is crucial for these neonates to make their liver more mature to break down bilirubin as they mature during the skin-to-skin contact with other key benefits achieved as the phototherapy goes on alongside using our Smart Biliwrapper. Hence Smart Biliwrapper allows the inclusiveness of jaundiced premature babies.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

By providing an affordable and effective treatment for neonatal jaundice, the Smart Biliwrapper contributes to making healthcare more inclusive and accessible, particularly in resource-limited settings. This inclusivity ensures that even underserved communities can benefit from advanced healthcare solutions. The device's ability to be used at home supports family-centred care and reduces the need for prolonged hospital stays, contributing to safer and more resilient communities.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

The plan to incorporate solar panels into the Smart Biliwrapper aligns with efforts to use renewable energy sources, thereby reducing the carbon footprint associated with neonatal care. This transition to clean energy solutions helps mitigate the environmental impact of healthcare technologies, contributing to broader climate action goals. Additionally, the use of rechargeable batteries in the current product version is a step towards sustainable energy use as there would be less amount of hazardous waste generated by spent disposable batteries.

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

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

3

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

Neowel Solutions' collaborative approach, involves partnerships with Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), the best teaching hospital in Nigeria and with key Pediatricians, Nurses and Neonatologists in various hospitals in Nigeria and abroad (specifically the Neonatology Clinic at Charite University in Berlin) for technical expertise, validation and clinical trials, exemplifies the spirit of SDG 17. By engaging with various Biomedical Engineers, Design Hubs and healthcare providers, Neowels strengthens the implementation of sustainable development initiatives. This collaborative effort not only enhances the device's development and deployment but also fosters a network of partnerships aimed at improving neonatal health outcomes globally.

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.

5

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

6

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.

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.

6

06.08 Justification for my startup

The Smart Biliwrapper is not the first phototherapy device to exist. There are many other phototherapy devices, either overhead or biliblanket. However, the Smart BiliWrapper is the first phototherapy device biliblanket to double as a KMC wrap, affordably. From data obtained from local hospitals, this tackles the main segment of babies that actually have neonatal jaundice; premature babies, as prematurity is one of the most common causes of Jaundice. This encourages product inclusion for premature jaundiced newborns.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Our main competitors are other biliblanket manufacturers like GE electric bilisoft to mention a few. The Smart Biliwrapper has other features aside from being a KMC wrap that other biliblankets don’t have like triple-sided phototherapy (more of the newborn’s body is exposed to the light), variable light intensity (for the various case severities), temperature monitoring and even an alarm system to alert a caregiver if any abnormal temperature should pop up. And lastly, its cost-effectiveness.

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