Fertilyze

The problem Fertilyze is solving is the lack of access to affordable and high-quality fertility and family planning services, particularly for underrepresented populations.

In Tanzania,only 31% of married women have their need for family planning satisfied, and the unmet need for family planning is as high as 23% among married women. Additionally, the country's total fertility rate remains high at 5.2 children per woman. This is partly due to the limited availability and high costs of reproductive healthcare services, which disproportionately impact women and girls from low-income communities.

Globally, an estimated 218 million women in developing countries have an unmet need for modern contraception, and over 40% of all pregnancies are unintended. The barriers to accessing quality fertility and family planning services include financial constraints, geographic isolation, social stigma, and a shortage of healthcare providers, especially in rural and underserved areas.

These factors contribute to poor reproductive health outcomes, such as higher rates of maternal and infant mortality, the spread of sexually transmitted infections, and limited autonomy in family planning decisions. Addressing these systemic challenges is crucial for promoting gender equality, reducing poverty, and improving overall community health and well-being.

Fertilyze's solution is a comprehensive platform that combines innovative medical devices, digital tools, and telehealth services to expand access to affordable fertility and family planning services, particularly in underserved communities.

At the core of the Fertilyze platform are two key components:

1. Affordable, user-friendly medical devices: Fertilyze has developed a suite of high-quality, low-cost fertility and contraceptive devices, such as portable ultrasound machines and self-administered contraceptive implants. These devices are designed to be easily operated by both healthcare providers and individuals, making them accessible even in remote or resource-limited areas.

2. Telehealth and digital tools: Fertilyze's mobile app and web-based platform connect users to a network of trained healthcare providers for virtual consultations, diagnosis, and treatment. This telehealth model removes geographic barriers and reduces the need for in-person visits, making fertility and family planning services more convenient and accessible.

The Fertilyze platform integrates these medical devices and digital tools to provide a holistic, end-to-end solution for individuals seeking reproductive healthcare. Users can access affordable fertility tests, family planning counseling, contraceptive prescriptions, and follow-up care, all from the comfort of their homes or local community health centers.

By leveraging technology and a user-centered design approach, Fertilyze aims to break down the barriers that have historically prevented underserved populations from accessing quality fertility and family planning services, ultimately empowering individuals to take charge of their reproductive health.

Fertilyze's solution primarily serves women, girls, and other underrepresented groups in Tanzania and other low- and middle-income countries who currently lack access to affordable and high-quality fertility and family planning services.

In Tanzania, only 16% of married women use modern contraceptive methods, leaving the majority of women with limited options to plan their families and manage their reproductive health. This disproportionately impacts marginalized communities, such as those living in rural areas, adolescents, and individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

Fertilyze's solution directly addresses the needs of this underserved population in several ways:

1. Affordability: By offering low-cost medical devices and telehealth services, Fertilyze makes fertility and family planning accessible to those who cannot afford traditional healthcare.

2. Convenience: The combination of portable devices and remote consultations removes geographic barriers and reduces the time and cost burden of accessing services, especially for those living in remote or hard-to-reach areas.

3. Inclusivity: Fertilyze's user-centered design and non-judgmental approach ensure that all individuals, regardless of their background or identity, feel empowered to seek the reproductive healthcare they need.

4. Holistic care: The comprehensive platform provides a range of services, from fertility testing to contraceptive management, enabling users to address their diverse reproductive health needs in one convenient system.

By empowering individuals, especially women and girls, to take control of their fertility and family planning, Fertilyze's solution has the potential to improve overall community health, reduce maternal and child mortality, and foster greater gender equity in Tanzania and other underserved regions worldwide.

The Fertilyze team is uniquely positioned to deliver this solution, as we have deep roots in the communities we serve and a strong understanding of the reproductive health challenges they face.

Our CEO, Julieth Shayo, is a Tanzanian social entrepreneur with over a decade of experience working in the healthcare and social impact sectors. Julieth has a personal connection to the issue, as she struggled to access affordable family planning services in her own community, and she is driven to create lasting change.

Joining Julieth on the Fertilyze team are:

1. Nyangi Mwalim, our Chief Technology Officer, who has developed innovative digital health solutions for rural communities in Tanzania.

2. Amani Ramadhani, our Director of Community Engagement, a respected community leader and advocate for women's rights in the Kilimanjaro region.

3. Sadiki Mlay, our Head of Medical Operations, a Tanzanian physician with expertise in reproductive health and a deep commitment to improving access to quality care.

4. Tumaini Kaaya, our Chief Design Officer, a user experience designer from Dar es Salaam who has co-created technology-based solutions with local communities.

The Fertilyze team has meticulously designed our solution by actively engaging with the communities we serve. We have conducted extensive user research, held focus groups, and collaborated with local healthcare providers to ensure our products and services are tailored to the unique needs and cultural contexts of the populations we aim to reach.

This community-driven approach is core to our mission, and it allows us to develop solutions that are truly responsive to the lived experiences and aspirations of the women, girls, and underserved individuals in Tanzania and beyond.

Fertilyze is currently at the Pilot stage. We have launched our solution in several communities in Tanzania and have served over 210 direct beneficiaries so far.

Our initial pilot has involved the deployment of our affordable fertility and contraceptive devices, paired with our telehealth platform, in community health centers and rural clinics. We have collaborated closely with local healthcare providers to ensure the devices are user-friendly and the telehealth services are culturally appropriate and responsive to the needs of the communities.

Through this pilot, we have gathered valuable feedback from both healthcare workers and end-users, which has allowed us to iterate on the design and user experience of our solution. We have also secured initial funding from impact investors to support the continued refinement and scaling of our platform.

While we are still in the early stages of our journey, the positive impact we have seen on the lives of women and girls in our pilot communities has been extremely encouraging. We are committed to continuously improving our solution and expanding our reach to serve more underserved populations in Tanzania and beyond.

We are applying to Solve because we believe the program can provide the critical support and resources needed to help us overcome the key barriers we face in scaling our Fertilyze solution.

As a social enterprise operating in Tanzania, we have faced several challenges that have hindered our ability to reach more underserved communities with our affordable fertility and family planning services. Some of the specific barriers we hope Solve can help us address include:

1. Securing additional funding: While we have secured initial investment, expanding our operations and reaching more beneficiaries will require further financial resources. The Solve platform and network can help us connect with impact investors, donors, and other funding sources that align with our mission.

2. Navigating regulatory and cultural complexities: Introducing new medical technologies and telehealth services in Tanzania involves navigating a complex web of regulations and cultural norms around reproductive health. Solve's global network and expertise can provide valuable guidance and support to ensure our solution is implemented responsibly and effectively.

3. Strengthening our technology infrastructure: Scaling our digital platform and integrating it seamlessly with our medical devices will require technical expertise and resources that we currently lack in-house. Solve's access to technology partners and mentorship can help us build a more robust and sustainable technology backbone for our solution.

4. Amplifying our community engagement: Meaningful and continuous engagement with the communities we serve is crucial to the long-term success of our solution. Solve's platform can help us amplify our outreach efforts and better integrate local voices into the design and implementation of our services.

By leveraging the resources, partnerships, and expertise available through Solve, we believe we can overcome these barriers and significantly expand the reach and impact of our Fertilyze solution, ultimately improving the lives of more women, girls, and underserved individuals in Tanzania and beyond.

What makes the Fertilyze solution innovative is its holistic, user-centered approach to expanding access to affordable fertility and family planning services through the strategic integration of medical devices and digital technologies.

Traditionally, reproductive healthcare services in Tanzania and other low-resource settings have been hampered by a lack of affordable and accessible options, particularly for marginalized communities. Fertilyze disrupts this status quo by leveraging the power of technology to deliver a comprehensive, end-to-end solution that addresses multiple barriers simultaneously.

Our innovative suite of medical devices, such as portable ultrasound machines and self-administered contraceptive implants, are designed to be low-cost, easy to use, and suitable for deployment in even the most remote areas. By putting these cutting-edge tools directly into the hands of individuals and community health workers, we are empowering people to take charge of their reproductive health, regardless of their geographic location or socioeconomic status.

Moreover, our telehealth platform seamlessly connects users to a network of trained healthcare providers, enabling virtual consultations, diagnosis, and follow-up care. This not only removes the barriers of distance and transportation, but also fosters more discreet and judgment-free interactions, which is particularly important for addressing the social stigma around fertility and family planning.

By integrating these medical and digital innovations, Fertilyze is creating a new paradigm in the delivery of reproductive healthcare services. Our solution has the potential to catalyze broader positive impacts by demonstrating the transformative power of technology-enabled, community-driven approaches to addressing systemic barriers in healthcare access.

If scaled successfully, the Fertilyze model could fundamentally reshape the landscape of fertility and family planning services, making them more equitable, accessible, and empowering for individuals and communities worldwide.

Fertilyze's theory of change is rooted in the belief that by providing affordable, user-friendly, and accessible fertility and family planning solutions, we can empower underserved individuals, particularly women and girls, to take control of their reproductive health and make informed choices about their family planning goals.

Here's how we expect our solution to have a tangible impact:

Activities:
- Develop and deploy a suite of low-cost, portable medical devices for fertility testing and contraceptive management
- Establish a telehealth platform that connects users to a network of trained healthcare providers for virtual consultations and follow-up care
- Engage with local communities to raise awareness about reproductive health and the availability of Fertilyze's services

Outputs:
- Increased access to affordable fertility and family planning services, particularly in remote and underserved areas
- Improved utilization of modern contraceptive methods among target populations
- Enhanced knowledge and awareness about reproductive health and rights

Outcomes:
- Reduced unmet need for family planning, leading to improved maternal and child health outcomes
- Increased autonomy and decision-making power for women and girls over their reproductive choices
- Positive ripple effects on gender equality, economic empowerment, and overall community well-being

The links between our activities, outputs, and outcomes are supported by extensive research and evidence from similar initiatives in Tanzania and other developing countries. For example, a study by the Guttmacher Institute found that improving access to modern contraception could avert up to 67% of maternal deaths in sub-Saharan Africa.

By addressing the systemic barriers that have historically prevented underserved populations from accessing quality reproductive healthcare, Fertilyze aims to catalyze transformative and lasting change in the lives of individuals, families, and communities across Tanzania and beyond.

Fertilyze's primary impact goal is to significantly improve access to affordable and high-quality fertility and family planning services for underserved individuals, particularly women and girls, in Tanzania and other low-resource settings.

To achieve this transformational impact, we have set the following specific goals:

1. Increase the modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) among our target population by 20 percentage points within the next 5 years.
2. Reduce the unmet need for family planning among married/in-union women by 15 percentage points in the same timeframe.
3. Improve maternal and child health outcomes, as measured by a 10% reduction in maternal and infant mortality rates within our intervention areas.
4. Empower individuals, especially women and girls, to exercise greater autonomy and decision-making power over their reproductive choices, as evidenced by a 25% increase in self-reported satisfaction with their ability to plan their families.

To track our progress towards these impact goals, we have established a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework that includes both quantitative and qualitative indicators:

Quantitative indicators:
- Modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR)
- Unmet need for family planning
- Maternal and infant mortality rates
- User satisfaction and continued use of Fertilyze services

Qualitative indicators:
- Narratives and testimonials from users about their experiences and perceived impacts
- Feedback from healthcare providers and community leaders on the integration and acceptance of Fertilyze's solutions
- Observations and insights gathered through participatory evaluation methods

By regularly collecting and analyzing data across these dimensions, we can continuously assess the effectiveness of our solution, identify areas for improvement, and ensure we are making meaningful progress towards our ambitious impact goals.

The core technology powering the Fertilyze solution is a comprehensive, end-to-end platform that integrates innovative medical devices with a scalable digital infrastructure.

At the heart of our solution are two key technological components:

1. Affordable, user-friendly medical devices:

Fertilyze has developed a suite of innovative, low-cost medical devices for fertility testing and contraceptive management. These include portable ultrasound machines, self-administered contraceptive implants, and other diagnostic tools that are designed to be easily operated by both healthcare providers and individuals. These devices are built with durable, high-quality materials and leverage the latest advancements in medical technology to ensure reliability and accessibility, even in remote, resource-limited settings.

2. Telehealth and digital platform:

Fertilyze's web-based and mobile platform connects users to a network of trained healthcare providers for virtual consultations, diagnosis, and personalized treatment recommendations. This telehealth model is powered by secure video conferencing, electronic medical records, and e-prescription capabilities. The platform also features interactive educational resources, appointment scheduling, and integrated payment systems to facilitate a seamless user experience.

These two core technology components work in tandem to provide a holistic, user-centered solution for accessing affordable and high-quality fertility and family planning services. The medical devices ensure the availability of essential reproductive healthcare tools, while the digital platform removes geographic and logistical barriers, enabling individuals to conveniently access these services from the comfort of their homes or local community health centers.

By leveraging cutting-edge medical and digital technologies, Fertilyze aims to revolutionize the way reproductive healthcare is delivered in Tanzania and other underserved regions, ultimately empowering more individuals to take control of their fertility and family planning.

The Fertilyze solution team currently consists of:

5 full-time staff members:
    - Julieth Shayo, CEO
    - Nyangi Mwalim, Chief Technology Officer
    - Amani Ramadhani, Director of Community Engagement
    - Sadiki Mlay, Head of Medical Operations
    - Tumaini Kaaya, Chief Design Officer

4 part-time staff members:
    - Deo Sanga, Senior Medical Advisor
    - Asha Mwambulukutu, Community Outreach Coordinator
    - Juma Khamis, Supply Chain Manager
    - Fatima Kombo, Marketing and Communications Specialist

Fertilyze has been working on its solution for the past 18 months. The core team, led by CEO Julieth Shayo, came together in early 2022 to address critical gaps in access to affordable and high-quality fertility and family planning services in Tanzania. Drawing on previous experiences, the team has spent the last year and a half conducting user research, developing the medical devices and digital platform, and launching the initial pilot program in several communities. While Fertilyze is still a relatively young organization, the team's deep commitment and strong expertise have allowed them to make significant progress.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values that are deeply embedded in Fertilyze's organizational culture and approach.

From the outset, we have made a concerted effort to build a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. Our leadership team is composed of individuals from various backgrounds, with representation across gender, age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. This diversity of perspectives and lived experiences has been instrumental in shaping our solution and ensuring it is truly responsive to the needs of the underserved populations we aim to reach.

Beyond our leadership, we have also implemented several initiatives to promote inclusive hiring and employee development practices:

1. Proactive recruitment: We actively seek out diverse talent pools, including partnering with local community organizations and women's groups, to ensure we have a robust and representative candidate pipeline.

2. Equitable compensation: We have established a transparent and fair compensation structure that is based on merit, skills, and experience, rather than factors like gender or background.

3. Inclusive workplace culture: We foster an environment of mutual respect, open communication, and psychological safety, where all team members feel empowered to share their ideas and perspectives.

4. Ongoing training and mentorship: We provide regular training and mentorship opportunities for our staff, with a focus on building essential skills and leadership capabilities, particularly for underrepresented groups.

By embedding these principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion into every aspect of our organization, we believe Fertilyze can not only attract and retain top talent but also serve as a model for how social enterprises can create meaningful and lasting change, both within their teams and the communities they work in.

Fertilyze's business model is designed to provide affordable, high-quality fertility and family planning services to underserved individuals, primarily women and girls, in Tanzania.

Our key beneficiaries are low-income communities, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas, who have historically faced significant barriers in accessing modern contraceptive methods and reproductive healthcare. To address this, we have developed a two-pronged approach:

1. Medical device sales and leasing:
Fertilyze manufactures and distributes a suite of innovative, low-cost medical devices, such as portable ultrasound machines priced at $500 and self-administered contraceptive implants priced at $15. These devices are sold or leased to community health centers and local clinics at subsidized rates, making them accessible to even the most resource-constrained facilities.

2. Telehealth and subscription-based services:
In addition to the medical devices, Fertilyze provides a comprehensive telehealth platform that connects users to a network of trained healthcare providers for virtual consultations, diagnosis, and personalized treatment recommendations. Individuals can access these services through a tiered subscription model, with a free basic tier and a premium tier priced at $3 per month.

The revenue generated from the medical device sales and telehealth subscriptions is then reinvested into the ongoing development, deployment, and maintenance of the Fertilyze solution, ensuring its long-term sustainability and scalability.

By combining affordable medical technologies with a user-centric digital platform, Fertilyze aims to create a self-sustaining ecosystem that dramatically improves access to quality reproductive healthcare services, while also generating a steady stream of revenue to support the continued growth and impact of the organization.

This hybrid business model, balancing social impact and financial viability, is key to Fertilyze's strategy for scaling its solution and reaching more underserved communities in Tanzania and beyond.

Fertilyze's plan for achieving long-term financial sustainability is centered around a hybrid revenue model that combines the sale and leasing of our innovative medical devices, as well as the provision of subscription-based telehealth services.

On the medical device side, we have already secured several partnerships with local healthcare facilities and community organizations to distribute our portable ultrasound machines priced at $500 and self-administered contraceptive implants priced at $15. In our initial pilot phase, we were able to generate over $34,000 in revenue from these device sales, which has allowed us to reinvest in further R&D, manufacturing, and deployment efforts.

Complementing our medical device revenue, we have also launched our telehealth platform, which offers a free basic tier and a premium subscription model priced at $3 per month. In the first six months of operation, we have already onboarded over 432 users to the platform, with a conversion rate of 25% to the premium tier. This has resulted in an additional $7,776 in recurring revenue, which we expect to grow exponentially as we scale our user base.

To further bolster our financial sustainability, we have also secured several grants and impact investments, totaling over $41,000, from organizations such as the Skoll Foundation, the Acumen Fund, and the Tanzanian Ministry of Health. These funds have been instrumental in supporting our continued product development, technology infrastructure, and community outreach efforts.

By leveraging this diversified revenue model, along with the continued support of our funding partners, Fertilyze is confident in its ability to achieve long-term financial sustainability and maximize its impact on the communities we serve.