Upzeez

I’ve always had a knack for creative problem solving. I majored in Information Technology (IT) with a minor in Human Computer Interaction (HCI) also known as Ergonomics, and then followed a 20 year career path in IT.

I climbed the corporate ladder, which provided an avenue for exposure and learning, but after a life changing experience, I recognized that my path was at odds with my passion. That’s when I decided to align my work with what matters to me most, helping people.

Problem - Back pain/strain and also growing rates of cesarean section around the world.

Back pain is a well known global problem costs governments billions annually and experienced by 70-90% (530 million people) of adult population at least once in their life time.

The number of births by cesarean section is on the rise, climbing from
about 16 million (12.1% of all births) in 2000 to 29.7 million (21.1% of
all births) in 2015. C-Section has doubled and the rates are shocking in many countries e.g. Dominican Republic 64% child births via c-section.

Solution - we are proposing Upzeez (smart elevate baby cot/crib) which enables parents to conveniently put in and take out baby without any pain/strain especially post child birth.

We are passionate about what we do. We have used technology to resolve a common modern day problem which will uplift the living human experience for many across the world.

Problem - Back pain/strain and also growing rates of cesarean section around the world.

Back pain is a well known global problem costs governments billions annually and experienced by 70-90% (530 million people) of the adult population at least once in their life time.

The number of births by cesarean section is on the rise, climbing from about 16 million (12.1% of all births) in 2000 to 29.7 million (21.1% of all births) in 2015. C-Section has doubled and the rates are shocking in many countries e.g. Dominican Republic 64% child births via c-section.

https://edition.cnn.com/2018/10/11/health/c-section-rates-study-parenting-without-borders-intl/index.html

For women who are likely to experience back pain after the birth of their baby, Upzeez is a baby cot that has a unique platform raising mechanism that eliminates back pain when putting the baby in the cot.

The potential our innovation is highly significant as this will change and evolve the way conventional baby cots/crib have been designed for years.

Our mission is take away the pain/strain, discomfort and frustration experienced by most new parents and also carers especially grand parents who may have had hip replacement(s) or experiencing arthritis. Lets not forget disabled people too. Our approach could also to support mid wives, nurses, duolas etc manage their highly demanding jobs with high levels back pain injuries sustained.

I have conducted surveys, interviews and focus groups to understand, capture and address highlighted challenges and worked to addressed them. We have created and engaged our user group as we build our product. We also have fully certified and qualified Health professionals (Chiropractor & Pediatrician) and also a Child Product Safety Consultant on our Advisor board.

We are building our product as parents of two children with shared challenges and experience (both back pain and traumatic birth) for parents around the world.

Safety is at the core of everything we do.

The impact of my innovation will uplift millions of lives around the world.

Feasibility: Highly viable through license or venture business model

Scalability: Highly scalable as their are many companies/manufacturers (brands). We have a great Unique Selling Proposition (USP) and already done the market research to entry the market.

Capability: I have built the early stage team, already completed Accelerator program and also built Advisory Board consisting of Medical/Health professionals, Baby Product Safety Consultant etc.

The partnership opportunities are endless as with my product their many partnership that can be tapped into which will add great value the consumers.

9yrs ago my wife told me we are expecting our first child. As any parent, we were super excited.  

We had to have a c-section and although it all went according to plan; we were not prepared for the state my wife would be left in suffering with back pain and also instructed by medical staff not to bend or risk re-opening stitches.

With my wife unable to fully function to look after our baby, I’ve never felt so hopeless and helpless at the same time. I searched online for alternative baby cots suitable for our needs but did not find anything.

Upzeez was born from share personal experience it was been on my mind for years. After a life changing experience, I walked away from corporate job/world and embarking on doing what matters most, helping people.

I am driven, passionate and committed to this project as it was something which left feeling hopeless and helpless during time I should be enjoying the birth of my birth.

I am very blessed and grateful my daughter and wife are well but I would not like another family to go through what we did. I am shocked so many have shared similar experience.

Its my responsibility and duty which I plan to resolve for all.

I am already laid a very sound foundation to build on.

I have done my research, developed and completed Concept Design which has already past visual product test lab review. My approach has been reviewed and approved by health/medical professional also validated my idea/hypothesis. As the lead of this project, I have a great team of myself (Founder) and Co-Founder Michelle Olufeso - Chief Financial Officer and also engaged Advisors

We have focused on the problem and have developed a great solution - Upzeez. We are early stage in the development but seeking assistance in bringing our solution to the world.

I have truly discovered my "Gift" and plan to utilize my to serve humanity in the best way possible. This is just the beginning of many of innovations to follow.

This is simply my life story as a migrant.

In relation to this project, I have had to acquire new skills, knowledge and connect with people. With me walking away from corporate world for personal reasons was a huge setback especially with a wife and 2 kids.

I've had to adapt and grow in order to implement and execute this project. I have come along especially since I have never brought an product to market before. I am confident I will execute this project successfully.

Engaging and handling Patent Attorneys, Trademarks, Product Development Agency, adhering to Product Safety standards is no easy task but I''ve managed everything successfully so far.

I am believe in myself and also open to views/perspective from others.  I do solely do anything which fully aligns with my core values. This is mainly the reason I decided to walk away from corporate world.

Integrity is everything and leading by example is an integral component in building a successful company.

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We have made our product smart and have approach the baby cot/crib from a new and unique perspective. We've applied sound design thinking.

Given the baby cot has not evolved since inception it clearly doesn't align or serve our modern society needs. So decided to make it smart given most mums/parents suffer back pain as part of parenthood.

We simply applied technology to address the known and growing problem.

Introducing and implementing a self raising platform. Simple but yet effective.

Activities - Creating and making innovative baby cots/cribs

Output - Service Delivery

Short term outcomes - Improved family time i.e. better and positive emotions and energy due to lack of pain/discomfort. Better bonding time post childbirth. Eliminate/Reduce repetitive action of bending.

Medium term outcomes - Better Sleep, Improved family time and families better financially off from money saved with potentially medical health such as pediatrician and maybe chiropractor to mention a few. Eliminate/Reduce repetitive action of bending.

Long term outcomes - Improved health, Eliminate/Reduce repetitive action of bending. - (Back pain/strain/discomfort), general better well being. Improved and better family quality time, emotions, energy etc

We currently have consumers interested in our product and offering. We are developing our MVP product.

In our first year we aim to serve 500-1000+ consumers initially and 10,000+ consumers with in five years.  Given our offering to solve the known and growing problem world-wide i.e. back pain and also raising numbers of child birth through c-section our product will clearly drive change and adaptation.

I am hopeful we will reach and exceed hundred(s) of million consumers world wide.

Our impact is to improve the quality of lives across the world.

Given the volume of child birth across the world our product will sufficiently improve the aftermath of child birth and back pain/strain experienced by many.

The will overall help mum/parents regain and keep the well-being (physically and mentally). Mum is able to care for baby and family. Happy wife/mum is a happy family.

There are a few barriers but mostly financial to execute such a highly delicate project due to mandatory product safety standards, testing and compliance certifications etc. Legals i.e.

Intellectual Property is also critical given the innovation (already protected through patent and Trademark)

Entering completion events (like Solve) to raise capital, friends and family etc.

I am already engaging industry professionals across specific areas to learn and acquire knowledge where necessary to overcome barriers. For example, I've starting online program to understand manufacturing and supplier chain etc.

I am on an accelerator program both Catalysr, Founders Institute - teaching and coaching building a business from the ground up. Mentoring through Office hours, EiR, industry connections along the way.

INPAA - Baby Product Safety Group - guiding through adhering to standards, enabling connections to key industry connections such as Product Testing and Compliance etc.

We bring and deliver innovative solutions to everyday problems. We have achieved this with Upzeez. Beneficiaries are families globally especially Mums but also Dads along with their child(ren).

Providing families with a smart enabled baby cot/crib which will improve their overall well-being (Physical & Mental), save them the inconvenience of back pain, speed up/improve recovery time following childbirth, prevent risk of stitches reopening. Enable Mum and family to enjoy new bundle of joy without or very little pain and discomfort.

All mentioned above will be delivered through our product.

Its a combination of all at this stage but ideally initial grant fund to build product etc, then starting selling products and maybe raising investment capital.

None yet..

$150K (USD) Grant funding product development/prototyping, tooling, marketing, legal etc and hoping to secure funding before September/October 2020

$50-100k (USD)

Fixed Costs/Overhead

• Rent
• Utility bills
• Phone bills/communication costs
• Accounting/bookkeeping
• Legal/insurance/licensing fees
• Postage
• Technology
• Advertising & marketing

Variable Costs

• Supplier Chain & Manufacturing (Tooling)
• • Materials and supplies
  • Product Development/Prototyping
  • Packaging
• Direct Labor Costs
• • Customer service
  • Direct sales
  • Direct marketing

I have already kicked off my idea by taking action.

We’ve made great progress to date - we have

• validated our hypothesis by conducting a survey which highlighted mums who shared similar experiences with back pain and traumatic childbirth like c-section. Results were very insightful  

• Developed concept design which has passed visual product testing
  

• Secured Intellectual Property - Patents and Trademarks

• Reviewed and approved by qualified health professionals (Pediatrician & Chiropractor) 

• Received positive feedback from baby industry Professionals & Consultants

• Created product demo prototype

• Most importantly good feedback from mums who love and can’t wait for our product.

I've applied to Elevate Prize to seeking grant fund to enable me to continue to complete my idea.

I believe and will complete my idea for the benefit of other mums and dads (parents) after me.

Potential partnership opportunities with my product is very interest and promising. There are many options linked to baby furniture i.e. accessories, monitoring solutions, home based consumer goods, baby essentials like baby bottles, nappies, education books etc.

There are many options that can and will be explored in depth as I build my company.

Owlet makes baby monitoring solutions and our partnership would be a ideal solution overall for parents as a perfect example of great partnership.

Two innovative solutions bought together can and I will only add value to consumers i.e. parents.