Ethiopia - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

ACUBED is a health tech startup that addresses the unavailability of diagnostic tests in Ethiopia and Rwanda by aggregating diagnostic tests in one platform using mobile app and call center.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

ACUBED is a health tech startup offering a marketplace and logistical solution through innovative technology. Our platform aggregates diagnostic tests from various health facilities into one mobile app and call center, significantly increasing the number of tests available and enhancing accessibility. On the logistics side, we provide convenient sample collection and transportation by qualified professionals from the customer's preferred location, ensuring timely and accurate results. Additionally, we create supplementary income opportunities for health workers by onboarding them as gig workers for sample collection and transportation. This groundbreaking innovation has the potential to effectively address a critical challenge in the healthcare landscape.

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

ACUBED is dedicated to addressing the unavailability of diagnostic tests in Sub-Saharan Africa, where this issue is both widespread and prevalent. A recent study revealed that diagnostic tests are available in only 19% of primary care facilities across ten Sub-Saharan African countries. Additionally, a 2015 study found that only 35% of essential diagnostic tests for antenatal care were available in health facilities in Addis Ababa. Our extensive market research indicated that 50% of patients encounter unavailability of diagnostic tests in health facilities, with 70% of these patients experiencing this issue multiple times. Furthermore, the average turnaround time for test results is eight hours. The unavailability of diagnostic tests has severe consequences on patient health outcomes, leading to delayed diagnoses and treatments, increased rates of misdiagnosis, prolonged hospital stays, and heightened patient dissatisfaction.

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

Our solution offers multiple advantages. By aggregating diagnostic tests from various facilities onto a single platform, we increase the number of tests available and accessible to customers. Additionally, we offer convenient sample collection from the patient's preferred location and provide 24/7 access to diagnostic tests from anywhere. By distributing the testing burden among our partner facilities, we significantly reduce waiting times for test results. Our impeccable customer service and efficient complaint handling further distinguish our solution.

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

We plan to target customers aged 20-55 with middle to high incomes, particularly those with busy lifestyles who prefer not to spend time waiting in health facilities for test results. Additionally, we aim to serve individuals with chronic illnesses requiring regular testing. We also focus on providing a private and confidential testing alternative for stigmatized diseases, such as sexually transmitted infections, especially for youth and higher education students. Furthermore, we plan to partner with telemedicine companies and home-care service providers to expand our reach and service offerings.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-10-08

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?

0

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

Ali Nengo, a cofounder and CTO, is software engineer with extensive experience exceeding two years in full-stack web development. As a co-founder of an EdTech startup operating in Rwanda, he demonstrates entrepreneurial acumen alongside technical expertise. Additionally, his status as a Jasiri fellow underscores his commitment to personal and professional development, further enriching his skill set. With a robust background in full-stack development and a proven track record in startup ventures, he brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to any team or project he engages with.

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

https://acubbed.com/

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

4

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

By improving access to healthcare services and eliminating barriers to high quality healthcare services, our startup assists poverty reduction by maintaining healthy and productive workforce. Health and poverty has significant direct correlation and one affects the other. We plan to address the issues of poverty through healthcare.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

3

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

Hunger and malnutrition has serious health consequences. Addressing health related issues of hunger help the fight to alleviate the impact of hunger in communities.

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 plays pivotal role in improving healthcare access and eliminating barriers to high quality healthcare services. Subsequently, we believe our contributions to achieving good health and wellbeing goals of 2030 agenda will be significant.

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

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Women are more likely to be affected by sexually transmitted infections than men. However, due to deep rooted stigmas and bias, large number of women don’t receive timely and appropriate medical care for their illnesses. By removing the barriers of social anxiety and fear of criticism we believe we can play a role in improving the gender disparity of healthcare access.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

4

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

Our solution can be used as tool to screen, surveillance and control diseases related to water and sanitation.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

We create supplementary income opportunities for health workers by onboarding them as gig workers for sample collection and transportation. By the end of 2024, our objective is to onboard over 100 gig workers onto our platform. Looking ahead to the next five years, our ambitious goal is to generate employment opportunities for more than 10,000 gig workers. We aim to scale up our operations significantly, fostering job creation and economic empowerment within the communities we serve. This expansion aligns with our commitment to not only address healthcare challenges but also contribute to socioeconomic development by providing meaningful employment opportunities.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

It’s an imperative that embracing innovation is critical to addressing multifaceted challenges in healthcare. By pioneering and catalyzing healthcare innovation in resource constrained settings, we hope to foster innovation and ecosystems development in healthcare sector.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

3

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

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

4

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

We plan to target emerging healthcare challenges related to climate change using our solution. In addition, we plan to minimize emissions per each diagnostic test from the existing alternatives.

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

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

4

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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.

2

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

3

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.

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.08 Justification for my startup

As a first mover to the market, we are introducing new solution to the market, and we are targeting non-consumers to use our services. We are also playing the role of ecosystem builders, and we believe we play instrumental role in catalyzing innovation in healthcare sector.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Majority of our competitors are private health facilities and standalone diagnostic centers. Our solution has multiple strengths that give us a competitive edge over our competitors. As a marketplace tech company, we significantly reduce capital expenditure by not building or owning diagnostic facilities. By aggregating diagnostic tests from various facilities onto a single platform, we increase the number of tests available and accessible to customers. Additionally, we offer convenient sample collection from the patient's preferred location and provide 24/7 access to diagnostic tests from anywhere. By distributing the testing burden among our partner facilities, we significantly reduce waiting times for test results. Our impeccable customer service and efficient complaint handling further distinguish us from our competitors.

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