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Joana Santos Afonso

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Mykola and Seva created Ochi - subscription-based platform designed to alleviate the hassle associated with timely lens replacements.

In the city of Lviv, Ukraine, Mykola found himself grappling with persistent dry eyes due to irregular lens replacements. This challenge was widespread, compounded by the absence of viable solutions available in the country. In late 2021, Mykola, alongside his brother Seva, embarked on a mission to address this common issue by launching what would become the Ochi Project.

Sophie Fluzin undiagnosed w/ Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder founded MyPerfectCycle- an App to Empower Women's Reproductive Health

Susan Sloane mom of 2 diabetic sons wrote a book Sweet Genes: Finding a Balance Living with Diabetes to help other families.

"Sweet Genes: Finding a Balance Living with Diabetes" is a heartfelt book written by Sarah Jones, a mom whose life was reshaped by the challenges of living with diabetes. Sarah's narrative isn't just about the daily battles with blood sugar levels; it's an intimate portrayal of resilience, adaptation, and finding harmony while navigating the complexities of this condition.

Collaborator Justin Chen created OpenBiome to help a close friend who contracted a life-threatening C. difficile infection after surgery.

OpenBiome is a pioneering nonprofit that accelerates bold discoveries in microbiome science — ethically and equitably — to improve health for all.

Diabetic Karin Hehenberger created Lyfebulb to reduce the burden of living with chronic disease through the power of the patient.

Lyfebulb, founded by Karin Hehenberger, stands as an innovative company dedicated to improving the lives of those grappling with chronic diseases, particularly exemplified by Hehenberger's personal journey with type 1 diabetes. The company's commitment to patient-centric solutions is evident in its development of advanced glycemic monitoring devices, offering individuals with diabetes a more accessible and precise means of disease management.

Nora Cavani and Willem de Vos founded Alba Health- a kit test- to help understand microbiome science and improve children's health.

Alba Health is on a mission to prioritize children's well-being by providing them with the healthiest possible start in life.

Their vision revolves around a world where chronic diseases can be both prevented and effectively addressed, leveraging the power of microbiome science and artificial intelligence. The core of their product is a specialized gut microbiome test tailored to children from newborns to 4-year-olds.

The Former Buddhist Monk Andy Puddicombe, creates a Meditation App for Mental Health

Headspace is a meditation app that has touched millions of lives, and is linked to the extraordinary journey of its co-founder, Andy Puddicombe. His life took an unforeseen turn following a series of personal tragedies. At the age of 22, Andy bore witness to a devastating accident outside a London pub, where a drunk driver claimed the lives of two friends. This event, coupled with the loss of his half-sister in a bicycle accident and an ex-girlfriend's passing, pushed him on a path of profound transformation.

Sharon Samjitsingh and Jared founders of Health Care Originals (HCO) created -Nightingale a set of wearable devices- to help with Asthma

Health Care Originals (HCO), was founded by Sharon Samjitsingh and Jared, with a deeply personal mission to revolutionize the management of chronic respiratory diseases. Sharon, who has suffered from asthma since birth and faced near-death experiences due to it, understands the critical need for better solutions in this field. HCO recognizes the growing prevalence of respiratory conditions, driven by factors like climate change, and the limited services available to cater to the needs of over 500 million affected individuals.

David Cardell creates Fleximug to help his mother with Multiple sclerosis (MS)

The journey of FlexiMug began with Cardell's mother, who faced the challenges of progressive multiple sclerosis, leaving her quadriplegic and unable to reach for cups. In a moment of necessity, Cardell's father improvised by drilling a hole in a store-bought mug and adding a long straw, enabling independent sipping. Over time, the design evolved to improve functionality and comfort. Before her passing in 2013, Cardell's mother encouraged him to refine the design, so it could bring the same benefits to others, a heartfelt mission that continues to drive FlexiMug's innovation.

Ronaldo Cohin, father of a child with autism and a Computer Science student, created the Jade Autism app.

The Jade Autism App is a game-changer for those living with autism. It's like having a dedicated assistant that speaks your language, understands your needs, and helps you express yourself. With this app, communication becomes a breeze, and it's not just about words; it's about connecting with the world.

Aneela Idnani created HabitAware to help with Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs)

HabitAware has created Keen, a discreet smart bracelet that empowers individuals facing compulsive behaviors like trichotillomania, dermatillomania, and nail-biting. Keen utilizes advanced motion-detection technology to monitor behaviors in real-time. It offers customizable, gentle vibrations, serving as a reminder and promoting self-awareness to help users break the cycle of compulsive habits. The accompanying mobile app allows users to set behavior preferences, track progress, and access valuable insights, fostering goal-setting and motivation.

Sam Farber husband of arthritis patient creates line of user-friendly kitchen and household products - OXO.

OXO is dedicated to creating user-friendly kitchen and household products that have redefined how people interact with everyday objects. Founded by Sam Farber, OXO's central mission is to enhance the lives of individuals of all abilities by making daily tasks more manageable.

Brothers Omri and Rotem Shor created Medisafe after their father accidentally double-dosed on insulin.

Medisafe is a digital health platform that delivers personalized medication management to patients, their families, and healthcare providers. Founded by brothers Omri and Rotem Shor, the idea for Medisafe was conceived after a personal incident where their father accidentally double-dosed on insulin, illuminating the wider issue of medication adherence.

Mom Andrea Ippolito creates platform- SimpliFed- tele-lactation and nutrition support to assist parents from the comfort of their own homes

SimpliFed is a digital health solution founded by Andrea Ippolito to enhance the support network for new parents. The platform offers tele-lactation and nutrition support to assist parents from the comfort of their own homes, with guidance provided by International Board Certified Lactation Consultants.

Daughter Anne Weiler creats platform- Wellpepper (now SignifyHealth)- to help with her mother's experience with a rare autoimmune disease.

Wellpepper is a patient engagement platform designed to improve healthcare outcomes by ensuring continuity of care.
Anne Weiler, CEO and Co-founder, aims to transform the patient's journey through a user-friendly interactive care plan.

Anne's pivot into healthcare was catalyzed by her mother's experience with a rare autoimmune disease. After her mother spent six months in the hospital and was discharged, there was a lack of continuity in her care, prompting Anne to question why this was the case in an era of constant connectivity.

David Utley a former smoker created - Pivot - breath sensor and companion app to help quit smoking.

Pivot is an innovative solution founded by a former smoker and designed to aid individuals aiming to quit smoking. The company offers a comprehensive approach to smoking cessation, combining technology, behavioral science, and professional guidance.

The core of Pivot's solution is a breath sensor and companion app. The breath sensor is a portable device that measures carbon monoxide (CO) levels in a user's breath, a direct indicator of recent smoking. This allows users to see the immediate impact of smoking and track changes as they progress toward their goal of quitting.

Faced with personal fertility struggles, Lea von Bidder and her husband created Ava to accurately track fertility.

Dr. Amy Baxter, a pediatrician and pain patient, created BuzzyHelps to combat the common issue of needle pain.

BuzzyHelps is an innovative solution developed by Dr. Amy Baxter, a pediatrician and pain patient, to combat the common issue of needle pain. Designed with a deep understanding of pain mechanics and patient anxiety, BuzzyHelps employs a unique combination of cold and vibration to distract the body's pain receptors and significantly reduce the discomfort associated with needle procedures.

Razdan & Susan help friend and create Care + Wear's PICC Line Cover - healthwear solution for Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters

Care + Wear's PICC Line Cover is an innovative healthwear solution designed specifically for individuals who require a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC). A PICC line is a tube that's inserted into a peripheral vein, often in the upper arm, and is then advanced until it reaches a larger vein in the chest near the heart. This setup allows for the long-term administration of medications or nutrients that can't be taken orally.

Mom creates specialized clothing line- StomaStoma- explicitly designed for children with tracheostomies.

StomaStoma is a specialized clothing line explicitly designed for children with tracheostomies. A tracheostomy refers to a surgical procedure where a hole (stoma) is created in the neck leading into the windpipe to facilitate breathing. Often, this involves a tube inserted into the stoma for long-term or permanent use due to various medical conditions.

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