Figorr Cold Chain Solution for Rare Disease Health

At Figorr, our specific problem-solving focus lies within the challenge of decreasing the environmental impact of healthcare space from logistical inefficiencies and wastages. Such inefficiencies lead to longer diagnostic timelines, increased carbon emissions, and limited access to treatments by marginalized communities.

On a global scale, the problem is significant, with millions of individuals and their families grappling with the challenges and expenses associated with rare diseases. In the communities we work in, including Nigeria and Ghana, the problem is pervasive. However, our solution has the potential to make a meaningful impact not only locally but also globally.

Figorr addresses this problem through the development and implementation of innovative solutions for cold value chains. Our focus on enhancing the efficiency of vaccine and perishable goods distribution directly contributes to improved public health outcomes and food security in Africa. Currently, cold chain inefficiencies lead to substantial losses of food, estimated at $4 billion in Sub-Saharan Africa, and hinder effective vaccine distribution, resulting in 25% of children in Africa not receiving necessary vaccines.

Our IoT-based technology, including the Figorr Plug-in Mote, enables real-time tracking of location, temperature, and humidity conditions during transportation and storage. By ensuring the integrity of temperature-sensitive products, we mitigate risks and minimize losses. Additionally, Figorr aims to incorporate comprehensive insurance solutions that cover the various risks associated with storing and transporting temperature-sensitive and humidity-sensitive goods, further safeguarding clients and stakeholders.

The scale of our impact is already visible through our traction and achievements. To date, Figorr has tracked over 215 million COVID-19 items, valued at over $612 million. Our customer base has grown significantly, with projected growth to reach 100 customers and 9,000 motes by 2024. We have also witnessed substantial revenue growth, with projections of $1.7 million in 2024. This growth demonstrates the increasing value of our offerings and the trust placed in our solutions by our expanding client base.

By addressing the underlying challenges of cold chain inefficiencies, Figorr is contributing to the reduction of carbon footprints in the healthcare space for rare diseases while prioritizing patient needs. Our solution aligns with the objectives of the MIT Horizon Prize, including optimizing transportation of supplies and treatments.

The impact of Figorr's solution extends beyond environmental considerations. By improving access to healthcare resources, enhancing the efficiency of research and development, and providing comprehensive insurance coverage, we empower individuals and families affected by rare diseases. Our focus on closing these gaps and creating a sustainable and equitable future aligns perfectly with the goals of the MIT Horizon Prize.

Figorr's Cold Chain Solution for Rare Disease Healthcare is a temperature, humidity, and location monitoring solution that helps to ensure the safe and efficient transportation of medical supplies, including rare disease treatments. Our solution is designed to prevent spoilage and ensure that patients receive the medications they need in a timely manner.

The solution works by using a device that monitors temperature, humidity, and location. The device is placed in a cold box with the medical supplies and is transported to the destination. The device transmits data to the cloud, where it is analyzed to ensure that the temperature and humidity levels are within acceptable ranges. If the levels are outside of the acceptable range, an alert is sent to the appropriate parties, allowing for quick intervention to prevent spoilage.

Our solution is based on cutting-edge technology, including IoT sensors, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. The sensors collect data on temperature, humidity, and location, which is transmitted to the cloud for analysis. The cloud-based software uses AI algorithms to analyze the data, providing real-time insights into the status of the medical supplies. This allows healthcare providers to make informed decisions about the transportation and storage of medical supplies, improving patient outcomes and reducing waste.

Overall, Figorr's Cold Chain Solution for Rare Disease Healthcare is a critical component of efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of rare disease healthcare. By ensuring that medical supplies are transported safely and efficiently, we can help to reduce the environmental costs associated with long travel distances and unnecessary testing, while also improving patient outcomes.

Figorr's Cold Chain Solution for Rare Disease Healthcare is a technology-based solution that aims to improve the diagnostic journey for patients with rare diseases by reducing the time, cost, resources, and duplicative travel and testing for patients and caregivers. The target population includes the 400 million people globally living with rare diseases who face significant challenges in accessing timely and affordable diagnosis and treatment. These patients are often forced to rely on outdated and inefficient healthcare systems, resulting in significant delays in diagnosis and treatment, which can be life-threatening, especially for patients with progressive or degenerative conditions. Figorr's solution can help to prevent spoilage and ensure that patients receive the medications they need in a timely manner. By working with healthcare providers and other partners, Figorr can help to reduce the environmental costs associated with long travel distances and unnecessary testing while improving patient outcomes.

Figorr's Cold Chain Solution for Rare Disease Healthcare can address the needs of patients with rare diseases who are currently underserved due to a lack of reliable transportation, limited access to healthcare providers, and inadequate resources for diagnosis and treatment. Figorr's solution provides temperature, humidity, and location monitoring solutions that can help to prevent spoilage and ensure that patients receive the medications they need in a timely manner. The solution can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of rare disease healthcare, increasing the impact of research and development investments, while also improving patient outcomes. By providing comprehensive user guidance and support, Figorr can empower its customers to confidently manage and optimize their experience with the devices and services.

Figorr is uniquely positioned to design and deliver our solution to the target population. Our team includes individuals with extensive experience in healthcare, logistics, and technology, giving us a comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing patients with rare diseases. We are also a diverse team, with members from a variety of backgrounds and communities, giving us a deep understanding of the cultural and social factors that can impact patient care.

To understand the needs of those we are serving, we have engaged with healthcare providers and patients to gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges they face. We have also conducted extensive research to identify the most pressing issues and develop solutions that are tailored to the specific needs of these communities. Our design and implementation of the Figorr Cold Chain Solution for Rare Disease Healthcare is meaningfully guided by the input, ideas, and agendas of the communities we serve. We work closely with our partners to ensure that our solutions are aligned with their goals and priorities.

As part of our commitment to empowering our customers, we have developed a range of user guidance and support materials to ensure that they can confidently manage and optimize their experience with our devices and services. Our capacity-building initiative includes a user manual that covers essential aspects such as device setup, preconditioning process, device status, history management, and alarm settings. We have also created a support website that covers several customer-facing topics for users to use and manage their devices and services effectively. The key topics and their relevance to Figorr's operations include getting started, alarms and alerts, user rights management, general FAQs, and quality assurance.

Overall, our team's expertise, engagement with the communities we serve, and commitment to customer empowerment make us the right people to design and deliver the Figorr Cold Chain Solution for Rare Disease Healthcare. We are confident that our solution will have a meaningful impact on the lives of those we serve, helping to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of rare disease healthcare, reducing the time, cost, and resources required for diagnosis and treatment.

Figorr Cold Chain Solution for Rare Disease Healthcare is well-positioned to address the challenges posed by the MIT SOLVE Horizon Prize 2023. Our solution is designed to decrease carbon footprints in the rare disease healthcare space while centering patient priorities, which aligns with the goals of the Prize. We believe that our solution can have a significant impact on the communities we serve, but we face several financial, technical, and market barriers that can hinder our ability to scale our solution and reach more patients.

One of the primary barriers we face is access to funding. While we have made significant progress in developing our solution and bringing it to market, we need additional resources to scale our operations and reach more patients. We hope that Solve can help us connect with partners who can provide us with the financial support we need to achieve our goals.

Another barrier we face is technical expertise. Our solution relies on advanced technology, and we need to work with experts who can help us refine our approach and develop new features and capabilities. We believe that Solve can help us connect with partners who can provide us with the technical support we need to improve our solution and better serve our patients.

Finally, we face market barriers related to the complex and fragmented healthcare landscape. We need to work with partners who can help us navigate this landscape and identify new opportunities to reach more patients and expand our impact. We believe that Solve can help us connect with partners who have the expertise and experience we need to overcome these market barriers and achieve our goals.

If our solution is selected by Solve, we hope to receive a range of support that can help us overcome these barriers and achieve our goals. This support could include access to funding, technical expertise, and market insights, as well as connections to new partners and stakeholders who can help us expand our reach and impact. We believe that this support will be critical to our success and our ability to achieve our mission of improving rare disease healthcare and reducing carbon footprints in the healthcare space.

Figorr is headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, where CEO Oghenetega Iortim is well-connected to the community. As a Nigerian-owned business, Figorr is committed to improving healthcare access in Nigeria and other low-resource settings, where many patients face significant challenges in accessing timely and affordable diagnosis and treatment. The Horizon Prize 2023 presents an opportunity for Figorr to further its mission by developing technology-based solutions that decrease the carbon footprint in rare disease healthcare while centering patient priorities. By addressing shipping inefficiencies, cold storage, and last-mile delivery, Figorr's solution can help to reduce the environmental costs associated with long travel distances and unnecessary testing, while also improving patient outcomes.

Figorr Cold Chain Solution for Rare Disease Healthcare is an innovative and sustainable solution that addresses inefficiencies in the transportation of medical supplies, particularly for rare disease healthcare. Patients with rare diseases face significant challenges in accessing timely and affordable diagnosis and treatment. In many cases, they must travel long distances, and wait months or even years before receiving proper care. This delay can be life-threatening, especially for patients with progressive or degenerative conditions.

Our cold chain solution helps to ensure that medical supplies, including rare disease treatments, are transported safely and efficiently. Our temperature, humidity, and location monitoring solutions can help to prevent spoilage and ensure that patients receive the medications they need in a timely manner. By working with healthcare providers and other partners, we can help to improve the diagnostic journey for patients with rare diseases, reducing the time, cost, and resources required for diagnosis and treatment.

Our solution approaches the problem in a significantly improved way by providing temperature, humidity, and location monitoring solutions that can help to prevent spoilage and ensure that patients receive the medications they need in a timely manner. By working with healthcare providers and other partners, we can help to improve the diagnostic journey for patients with rare diseases, reducing the time, cost, and resources required for diagnosis and treatment.

Our solution has the potential to catalyze broader positive impacts from others in this space by providing a model for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of rare disease healthcare. We hope that our solution will inspire others to take similar steps to improve the patient experience and reduce the environmental costs associated with long travel distances and unnecessary testing.

Our solution has the potential to change the market by providing a new standard for cold chain transportation that prioritizes patient outcomes and environmental sustainability. By providing a comprehensive solution that addresses the key challenges facing rare disease healthcare, we can help to set a new standard for medical transportation and increase the impact of research and development investments.

We are well-positioned to deliver this solution because we have extensive experience working with healthcare providers and other partners to improve the diagnostic journey for patients with rare diseases. Our team is composed of experts in the fields of healthcare, logistics, and technology, and we have a deep understanding of the needs of patients with rare diseases. We have engaged with the community to ensure that our solution is tailored to their needs, and we have utilized their feedback to guide the design and implementation of our solution.

Figorr's impact goals are to continue to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of rare disease healthcare by expanding our cold chain solution to more patients in need. Specifically, we aim to:

- Increase the number of patients who have access to our cold chain solution by expanding our partnerships with healthcare providers and other partners.

- Improve the quality of our solutions by incorporating feedback from patients and healthcare providers.

- Reduce the environmental costs associated with rare disease healthcare by optimizing transportation of supplies and treatments through the use of our cold chain solution.

- Increase the impact of research and development investments in rare disease healthcare by ensuring that treatments are transported safely and efficiently.

To achieve these goals, we plan to continue to work closely with healthcare providers and other partners to identify new opportunities to expand our reach and improve the quality of our solutions. We will also continue to invest in research and development to ensure that our solutions remain at the forefront of innovation in the rare disease healthcare space. Finally, we will continue to leverage the latest technologies and best practices to optimize transportation of supplies and treatments, with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes and reducing the environmental costs associated with rare disease healthcare.

Figorr is focused on measuring progress towards its impact goals by tracking several key indicators. Firstly, they monitor the number of medical supply shipments made using their cold chain solution. The aim is to increase this number over the next year and five years, indicating greater accessibility to medical supplies for rare disease healthcare.

Secondly, Figorr tracks the number of rare disease patients who receive timely and affordable diagnosis and treatment with the help of their solution. By increasing this number over the next year and five years, Figorr aims to improve the diagnostic journey for patients, reducing time, cost, and resources required for their care.

Figorr is also committed to reducing carbon emissions resulting from its solution. By decreasing carbon footprints in rare disease healthcare, Figorr contributes to environmental sustainability and aligns with the goal of creating a more sustainable future.

Furthermore, Figorr measures the amount of medical and hazardous waste reduced thanks to its solution. By promoting alternative packaging that is reusable, recyclable, or biodegradable without compromising sterility or safety, Figorr aims to minimize waste in the healthcare industry.

Lastly, Figorr tracks the number of users utilizing its solution. By increasing this number over the next year and five years, Figorr aims to expand its impact and reach more individuals in need of their services.

Figorr's cold chain solution addresses inefficiencies in the transportation of medical supplies, particularly for rare disease healthcare. Through temperature, humidity, and location monitoring solutions, Figorr prevents spoilage and ensures timely delivery of medications, enhancing the diagnostic journey for rare disease patients. This not only improves patient outcomes but also reduces the time, cost, and resources required for diagnosis and treatment.

Figorr's team possesses extensive experience in the healthcare and technology sectors, making them well-equipped to deliver this solution to the target population. They actively engage with healthcare providers and other partners to understand the needs of the communities they serve. By incorporating input, ideas, and agendas from these stakeholders, Figorr ensures that their solution aligns with the requirements of the people they aim to assist.

Figorr's solution falls under the dimension of the Challenge that seeks to optimize transportation of supplies and treatments by addressing shipping inefficiencies, cold storage, and last-mile delivery. By providing innovative and sustainable solutions to these challenges, Figorr contributes to improving healthcare access and delivery for rare disease patients.

To achieve their impact goals, Figorr plans to continue engaging with healthcare providers and partners, incorporating their insights into the design and implementation of the solution. They also seek financial, technical, legal, cultural, or market support from these partners to aid them in achieving their goals.

Figorr's cold chain solution for rare disease healthcare addresses the inefficiencies in the transportation of medical supplies, particularly for rare disease healthcare. Patients with rare diseases face significant challenges in accessing timely and affordable diagnosis and treatment. In many cases, they must travel long distances and wait months or even years before receiving proper care, which can be life-threatening, especially for patients with progressive or degenerative conditions. Our solution helps ensure that medical supplies, including rare disease treatments, are transported safely and efficiently. Our temperature, humidity and location monitoring solutions can help prevent spoilage and ensure that patients receive the medications they need in a timely manner. By working with healthcare providers and other partners, we can help improve the diagnostic journey for patients with rare diseases, reducing the time, cost and resources required for diagnosis and treatment.

Our solution will decrease waste and redundancies while increasing the impact of research and development investments. This could shorten diagnostic timelines, decrease carbon emissions, and allow research funding to go further–resulting in more treatments for patients. Our solution will also improve physical access to specialists and research trial centers or disrupt the prevalence of single-use plastics by introducing supply chain interventions like circularity or alternative packaging. Proper incentives, data-sharing, and patient involvement in research could also reduce redundancies and their associated environmental costs.

Our solution aligns with the Horizon Prize 2023, which seeks technology-based solutions that decrease carbon footprints in the rare disease healthcare space while centering patient priorities. The Prize seeks solutions that improve the rare disease patient diagnostic journey, enhance efficiencies in clinical trials and research, reduce single-use products, unnecessary plastics, and medical/hazardous waste throughout research and manufacturing, create and promote alternative packaging that may be reusable, recyclable, or biodegradable without compromising sterility or safety, and optimize transportation of supplies and treatments by addressing shipping inefficiencies, cold storage, and last-mile delivery.

Our solution is innovative and sustainable because it provides an end-to-end cold chain solution that ensures the safe and efficient transportation of medical supplies, including rare disease treatments. It also helps reduce waste and redundancies while increasing the impact of research and development investments. Our solution will have a significant impact on the problem by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of rare disease healthcare, reducing the environmental costs associated with long travel distances and unnecessary testing, and improving patient outcomes.

We are well-positioned to deliver this solution because we have a team of experts in the field of medical supply chain logistics, including cold chain management. Our team has experience working with healthcare providers and other partners to develop and implement effective solutions that improve patient outcomes. We are also committed to understanding the needs of the communities we serve, engaging with patients and healthcare providers, and incorporating their feedback into our solution.

Figorr's core technology is based on the Internet of Things (IoT) and real-time monitoring systems. The solution includes GSM Mote and LoRa Mote devices that can be placed inside cold storage facilities and containers to monitor and track temperature-sensitive items in transit and storage. These devices allow for real-time visibility into the location and storage conditions of medical supplies.

The data collected by these devices is transmitted to Figorr's Enterprise Software Application, where users can monitor their temperature-sensitive products in real-time. The platform provides vital information on location, temperature, humidity readings, and other relevant data, which supports more efficient cold-chain management and improves asset safety and security.

By providing real-time monitoring and data on temperature-sensitive items, Figorr's solution enhances the efficiency of cold-chain systems.

The Figorr team comprises 23 employees with diverse backgrounds, skill sets, and roles. The team is predominantly male, with 13 males and 10 females. The age range of the employees is between 20 and 44 years old.

4 Years

Figorr is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusivity in their work. We believe in creating an environment in which all members of our team are welcomed, respected, supported, and valued. Figorr is actively working towards building a diverse team that represents the social, cultural, and identity-based human attributes of the communities we serve. We are focused on creating equitable environments that address disparities and strive to eliminate unique and systemic barriers that have prevented the full participation of marginalized groups.

To achieve our goals, we has taken several actions, including actively recruiting diverse candidates for open positions, providing training and support to our employees, and promoting a culture of inclusion and belonging. We also strive to ensure that our products and services are accessible and inclusive to all users, regardless of their background or identity.Figorr's leadership team reflects our commitment to diversity and inclusion, with members from diverse backgrounds and experiences. We believe that diversity is a key driver of innovation and creativity and we are committed to creating a workplace that values and leverages the unique perspectives and experiences of all team members.

Figorr's business model involves providing temperature, humidity, and location monitoring solutions for sensitive products, such as pharmaceuticals and medical supplies. By working with clients across various industries and sectors, Figorr has demonstrated its ability to adapt and cater to each client's unique requirements, further solidifying its expertise and experience in the field.

Figorr provides a range of products and services to its clients, including hardware production and assembly, device configuration, and customer capacity building initiatives. 

The company's customer capacity building initiative ensures clients can confidently manage and optimize their experience with Figorr's devices and services. This initiative includes a user manual covering device setup, preconditioning, device status, history management, and alarm settings, as well as an online support website with resources on getting started, alarms and alerts, user rights management, general FAQs, and quality assurance.

Figorr's business model is centered around providing value to its clients by ensuring the safe and efficient transportation and storage of sensitive products. The company's products and services enable its clients to reduce waste, increase efficiency, and ultimately deliver high-quality products to their customers. By leveraging its expertise and experience in the field, Figorr is well-positioned to continue providing top-notch monitoring solutions to clients across various industries and sectors.

Figorr plans to become financially sustainable through a combination of revenue streams, including sustained grants, selling products and services, service contracts to governments, and raising investment capital. In the short term, Figorr will focus on generating revenue through sales of its temperature, humidity, and location monitoring solutions for sensitive products, such as pharmaceuticals and medical supplies. Figorr will also explore service contracts with governments and other organizations to provide monitoring solutions for their products. In the long term, Figorr aims to secure sustained grants to fund its ongoing research and development efforts. Additionally, Figorr plans to raise investment capital to support its growth and expansion into new markets. To achieve these goals, Figorr will continue to build on its expertise and experience in the field, adapt to the unique requirements of each client, and provide comprehensive user guidance and support to empower its customers. By doing so, Figorr will increase its revenue streams and ensure its financial sustainability in the future.

Figorr has received substantial financial support from various investors and grant programs, showcasing their credibility and potential in the industry. Some notable grants include:

• Google Black Founders Fund: $100,000. (https://www.campus.co/africa/black-founders-fund/)

• African Business Heroes: $100,000. (https://africabusinessheroes.org/en/the-prize/finalists?&year=2021&type=top10)

• FB Start Impact Hub: $20,000 (https://cchubnigeria.com/fbstart/meet-2018-cohort.html)

• Lafiya: $5,000.(https://lafiyainnovators.org/)