Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Décrivez votre projet en quelques mots

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 Décrivez votre startup en détail

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 Quel est le problème principal que vous essayez de résoudre ?

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 Dites-nous quels sont les principaux avantages et/ou bénéfices de l'utilisation du produit/service fourni par votre startup (au moins 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 Veuillez décrire précisément à qui s'adresse le produit/service de votre startup. Quels sont les bénéficiaires visés ?

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 Quand votre entreprise a-t-elle été créée ?

15/02/2023

01.06 Vendez-vous déjà votre produit/service ?

Oui

01.07 Combien y a-t-il de propriétaires de votre entreprise en plus de vous ?

1

01.08 Parmi les autres propriétaires, combien sont des femmes ?

0

01.09 Veuillez décrire le profil des autres propriétaires de votre startup (compétences, expérience, 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 Si vous avez un site web, une page sur les médias sociaux (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin...) ou une application, veuillez fournir le(s) lien(s) ici :

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

01.11 Quel est le secteur d'activité qui décrit le mieux votre entreprise ?

Soins de santé (équipements et services de santé)

02.01.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Pas de pauvreté'

6

02.01.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Faim Zéro'

4

02.02.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.03.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Bonne Santé et Bien Être'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.03.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Éducation de Qualité'

6

02.04.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Égalité entre les Sexes'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.05.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Eau Propre et Assainissement'

3

02.06.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.07.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Énergie Propre et Abordable'

3

02.07.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.08.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Travail Décent et Croissance Économique'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.08.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Industrie, Innovation et Infrastructure'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.09.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Réduction des Inégalités'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.10.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

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

02.11.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Villes et Communautés Durables'

5

02.11.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

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

02.12.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Consommation et Production Responsables'

6

02.12.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Lutte contre les Changements Climatiques'

4

02.13.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.14.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Vie Sous-Marine'

3

02.14.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.15.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Vie Terrestre'

3

02.15.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.16.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Paix, Justice et Institutions Efficaces'

5

02.16.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

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

02.17.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Parteneriats pour la Réalisation des Objectifs'

6

02.17.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

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

06.01 Un grand nombre de clients utilisent déjà un produit/service très similaire au nôtre.

3

06.02 Notre produit/service représente un type de produit/service entièrement nouveau

5

06.03 Notre produit/service pourrait être décrit comme une nouvelle technologie

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

06.04 Notre produit/service est une amélioration d'un produit ou d'un service existant

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

06.05 Notre produit/service pourrait être décrit comme une extension d'une gamme de produits ou de services

4

06.06 Notre produit/service répond à une demande ou à un besoin qui n'a pas été satisfait par d'autres produits/services.

6

06.07 Notre produit/service est une nouvelle version d'un ancien produit/service

5

06.08 Justification

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 Analyse compétitive

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 Menez-vous des actions au sein de votre communauté pour promouvoir le rôle des femmes 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.