Nigeria - Startup under 3 years old

Décrivez votre projet en quelques mots

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

01.01 Décrivez votre startup en détail

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 Quel est le problème principal que vous essayez de résoudre ?

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

Jaundiced neonates Premature newborns Nursing mothers Pediatric units

01.05 Quand votre entreprise a-t-elle été créée ?

17/11/2023

01.06 Vendez-vous déjà votre produit/service ?

Non

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

3

01.08 Parmi les autres propriétaires, combien sont des femmes ?

1

01.09 Veuillez décrire le profil des autres propriétaires de votre startup (compétences, expérience, 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 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.linkedin.com/company/smart-biliwrapper/

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'

1 - pas du tout d'accord

02.01.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

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

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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Éducation de Qualité'

1 - pas du tout d'accord

02.04.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

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

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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Eau Propre et Assainissement'

2

02.06.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

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

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.07.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 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

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 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

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 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

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

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.11.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Consommation et Production Responsables'

1 - pas du tout d'accord

02.12.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.13.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Lutte contre les Changements Climatiques'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.13.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Vie Sous-Marine'

1 - pas du tout d'accord

02.14.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

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

1 -pas du tout d'accord

02.15.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

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

3

02.16.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

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

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.17.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Un grand nombre de clients utilisent déjà un produit/service très similaire au nôtre.

6

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

6

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

6

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

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

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

6

06.08 Justification

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 Analyse compétitive

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