BlisCare

Digital (Education + Job) solution for visually impaired

1. There are 286 million visually impaired people over the globe. Of these, only 5% are getting any sort of education due to a lack of braille literacy.
2. Production of Braille formatted books is very expensive and can go up to 50 INR per page, also currently available Braille printers are beyond the affordability range.
3. Only a few of the existing contents are adapted according to the Visually Impaired student’s need and the New-Updated Curriculum is not available in Braille format.

Introduction ---
BlisCare is an EdTech start-up that aims to provide affordable digital education solutions for visually impaired students with a Digital Braille Display System (Braille Tablet) which can replicate in real-time into digital braille in form of a Digital Tablet) that will replicate any text, graphical diagram to standard Braille, at affordable cost and at the same time it reduces cost burden of current education model and at the same time provides access to unlimited content (online & offline) which is currently not accessible to visually impaired community.

Solution ---

• Braille display system (Braille Tablet) for visually Impaired Institutes & Individuals will enable proper access to educational content for all students by digitalizing Braille at a low and affordable cost.
• Proper adapted and updated content in grade-1 & grade-2 braille implementing standard rules will provide the best compatibility for learning with updated & unlimited content access.

1. Visually impaired Institutes & NGOs – Digital Classroom Solutions at low cost.
2. Visually impaired individuals and community – Digital platform for easing out regular life.
3. Government – Better reach and updated education system.
4. Corporate – Easing out process for disabled quota.

We have a good mix of teams with technical and managerial experience and with a common vision.

Chinmaya Naik - Co-Founder & Product Lead

Nikita Kumari - Co-Founder & BD Lead

Abhilash - Technical Lead

3 Members - Technical

Advisor - Medical & Business

Problem Validation --- Interviewed and empathized with a targeted customer (B2B Blind institutions, NGOs, and MNCs with disabled quota) and user (visually impaired individuals and community).

Idea Validation --- We have tested, experimented & validated and various approaches with users, customers, and related stakeholders.

Prototype testing --- With demonstration classroom setup in blind institutes and NGOs.

USP ---

1. Unique bulge-out Mechanism for Braille device developed by our team which is at least 3x cost efficient and can also be scaled up quickly.
2. Two Patents (Process + Design) are a barrier to entry.
3. 25x Braille has less maintenance cost than other technologies. 
4. Complete open-source content platform for visually impaired individuals and the community.

Differentiator ---

1. Full-fledged device - We provide a full-fledged tablet device in comparison to our competitors who are 6 button-based tactile devices. We are model similar to that of Amazon Kindle and provide a variety of content in grade-1 and grade-2 braille as well as access to any diagram which makes us stand beyond our competitors.
2. Learn Braille Feature – We provide content and teach braille and guide for education, research, career growth, and job. We make them independent in reading, writing, and understanding braille by themselves, which our competitor does not provide.
3. Adapted Content – We provide unlimited adapted content in real-time with our product where users can pick any normal content and get it on braille via our product at their fingertips, which is not possible in other competitors as a whole.
4. Low Maintenance & Pricing – Our maintenance is 25 times lower than other technologies and our product is 3x cost efficient.

We are looking for funds/ grants, which will help us in reducing the cost of the device and add on a model which can be a platform to monetize any content as well as partnering with MNCs for CSR and Government bodies (like Divyangjan Yojana in India).

We have connected with blind institutes and have tested our MVP & created classroom solutions and built further for B2B and B2G model implementation with partnerships.

Technology –

1. Mechanical – bulging out of beads is based on electromagnetism technology.
2. IOT – Manipulation and circuit technology with interconnections.
3. Algorithms + AI approach + OS - AI for conversion of text/ diagram into braille with a braille dictionary, and algorithms for overall applications.

Additional Technology (Support) ---

1. Haptic Feedback – based on a special vibration waveform to guide
2. Voice recognition &Talkback – Audio-based guide.

In our testing phase, we are engaged with 32 students' classrooms and in the upcoming year, we have planned to setup classrooms for 120 students in an institute.

1. Partnership-related support and mentorship.
2. Funds support further testing and expand.
3. Mentorship/ Adviser for guidance.

Blind Institutes and NGOs for testing & validation purposes.

Revenue Stream ---

• Revenue stream-1 -- Braille system Product sales

• Revenue Stream-2 -- Content Subscriptions

Packages range from (500 INR to 1500 INR) or ($8 USD to $18 USD) per quarter.

Value and Impact Measurement ---

1. Visually impaired Institutes & NGOs – Digital Classroom Solutions at low cost.
2. Visually impaired individuals and community – Digital platform for easing out regular life. 
3. Government – Better reach and updated education system.
4. Corporate – Easing out process for disabled quota

1. Grants - Getting in the market and initial manufacturing, operational and marketing cost.
2. VC funds for expansion and setting up manufacturing unit/ setup.