Cycle Sync Solutions

Globally, millions of girls and young women lack access to accurate and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) information, services, and commodities. Inadequate healthcare infrastructure, cultural norms, stigmatization, and economic disparities contribute to this issue, affecting the overall well-being and autonomy of young women and girls.

Specifically, in Tanzania, there is a significant unmet need for SRHR services. According to the Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) 2023, the unmet need for family planning among married women aged 15-49 is 24%. Furthermore, adolescent girls face substantial challenges in accessing SRHR information and services due to socio-cultural barriers and economic exclusion.

Cycle Sync Solutions aims to address these problems by developing biometric wearables that track menstrual cycles, fertility windows, and other relevant metrics. This innovative approach empowers young women and girls by providing them with vital information about their bodies, which is essential for informed decision-making regarding their sexual and reproductive health. Our wearables are synced with an app that delivers comprehensive SRHR education, further addressing the unmet need for accurate SRHR information.

The scale of the problem is significant, with millions of young women and girls globally lacking access to essential SRHR information and services. In Tanzania alone, millions are affected by this issue, with adolescent girls being particularly vulnerable.

Our solution directly addresses the factors contributing to the problem, such as inadequate healthcare infrastructure and limited access to SRHR information. By providing a technological solution that is easily accessible and user-friendly, we are breaking down barriers to access and empowering young women and girls to take control of their reproductive health. In addition, our solution is designed with the cultural and socio-economic context of Tanzania in mind, ensuring that it is relevant and effective in addressing the specific needs of the community we are serving.

Cycle Sync Solutions offers a holistic approach to addressing the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) needs of young girls and women. Our solution comprises two primary components: a biometric wearable device and a mobile application.

1. Biometric Wearable Device: Our innovative wearable tracks vital metrics such as menstrual cycles, fertility windows, and other related health parameters. Using advanced sensor technology, the device collects data that is integral to understanding the user's reproductive health. The device is user-friendly, comfortable, and designed with the unique needs of young women and girls in mind.

2. Mobile Application: The collected data from the wearable is seamlessly synced with our mobile application. This app not only stores the user's health data but also provides comprehensive SRHR education. The educational content is designed to be culturally sensitive, age-appropriate, and tailored to the specific needs of young girls and women in Tanzania and beyond. Through the app, users can access a wealth of information on topics such as menstrual health, family planning, and more.

Our solution is unique in that it combines cutting-edge technology with essential SRHR education, empowering young women and girls to take control of their reproductive health. The wearable and app work together to provide a comprehensive and user-friendly solution that addresses the unmet needs of our target population.

During our beta testing phase, we have provided the wearable device to 23 young girls in Morogoro, Tanzania. The feedback from this testing phase will be invaluable in refining our product and ensuring that it meets the needs of our users. Our goal is to create a solution that is not only technologically advanced but also culturally relevant and accessible to young women and girls in Tanzania and around the world.

Cycle Sync Solutions is at the forefront of leveraging technology to improve SRHR outcomes for young women and girls. Our biometric wearable and mobile application are designed to provide users with the tools they need to make informed decisions about their reproductive health. By doing so, we are contributing to a future where every young woman and girl has the knowledge, resources, and power to exercise their bodily autonomy and lead a healthy, fulfilling life.

Our solution primarily serves young girls and women, specifically those in the age group of 12 to 25, with a focus on low- and middle-income communities in Tanzania and other similar settings globally. This demographic often faces a lack of access to accurate, comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) information and services. They are underserved due to various reasons, such as cultural taboos, lack of education, and limited access to healthcare facilities.

The girls and women in these communities often rely on traditional methods and local folklore for information regarding their menstrual health, fertility, and family planning. This can lead to misinformation, unsafe practices, and adverse health outcomes. Moreover, the stigma and shame attached to discussing these topics often prevent them from seeking the necessary support and guidance.

Our solution addresses these challenges by providing them with a biometric wearable device that tracks their menstrual cycles, fertility windows, and other vital health metrics. The wearable is easy to use, discreet, and specifically designed keeping in mind the cultural sensitivities and needs of young girls and women in these communities.

The data collected by the wearable is then synced with our mobile application, which provides comprehensive SRHR education tailored to their age, culture, and community. The educational content includes information on menstrual health, family planning, contraception, and more, empowering them to make informed decisions about their bodies and reproductive health.

In addition, the mobile app serves as a platform for them to connect with healthcare professionals and peers, providing a supportive community where they can share their experiences, ask questions, and seek advice in a safe and non-judgmental environment.

By providing accurate information and a support network, our solution will have a meaningful impact on the lives of young girls and women in these communities. They will be better equipped to manage their reproductive health, make informed decisions, and lead healthier, more empowered lives. This will, in turn, contribute to improved health outcomes, increased educational attainment, and greater economic opportunities for them, ultimately benefiting their communities and society as a whole.

Our team, led by myself, has a deep understanding and connection to the communities we serve. Having grown up in Tanzania, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges that young girls and women face when it comes to accessing accurate sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) information and services. This personal experience has fueled my passion for addressing these issues and ensuring that every girl and woman has the knowledge and resources they need to make informed decisions about their bodies and reproductive health.

The team is composed of individuals who share a similar passion and commitment to empowering young girls and women in low- and middle-income communities. We have a diverse range of skills and expertise, from technology and product development to community engagement and health education.

To ensure that our solution is tailored to the needs of the communities we serve, we have engaged with them at every step of the development process. We have conducted extensive research and held focus group discussions to gather input and feedback on the design and functionality of our wearable device and mobile app. We have also involved community leaders and healthcare professionals in these discussions to ensure that our solution is culturally sensitive and aligned with the local context.

During our beta test with 23 young girls in Morogoro, Tanzania, we closely monitored their usage of the wearable device and mobile app, and gathered feedback on their experiences. This has been invaluable in identifying areas for improvement and ensuring that our solution is user-friendly and meets the needs of the target population.

The design and implementation of our solution are guided by the communities' input, ideas, and agendas. We are committed to maintaining an open and ongoing dialogue with them to ensure that our solution remains relevant and effective in addressing their SRHR needs.

Our solution is currently serving 21 young girls who are actively participating in our beta test in Morogoro, Tanzania. These girls are using our wearable devices and mobile app to track their menstrual cycles, fertility windows, and other health-related metrics. They are also receiving sexual and reproductive health education through the app.

Our goal is to complete the beta test and incorporate the feedback we receive from these 21 participants to improve our solution. Once we have refined our product, we plan to launch full operations and distribute approximately 500 wearable devices to young girls by the year 2024. This will significantly expand the reach and impact of our solution, enabling us to serve more individuals and improve the sexual and reproductive health outcomes of young people in our community and beyond.

Our solution brings forth an innovative approach to addressing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of young women through a unique integration of technology, education, and community engagement. At the core of our innovation is the use of biometric health trackers, which are specifically designed to track menstrual cycles, fertility windows, and other related metrics.

What sets our solution apart is the synergy between the wearable devices and a mobile app that provides not only the tracking data but also a rich repository of SRHR education. This combination of personal health tracking with educational content ensures that young women are not just passive recipients of information, but are actively engaged in understanding and managing their SRH.

The tech underpinning our solution involves the use of sensors and algorithms to accurately track and predict menstrual cycles and fertility windows. The data gathered is then synced with the mobile app, which uses an AI-driven engine to provide personalized educational content. This content is curated to meet the specific needs and context of the user, making it relevant and actionable.

Our solution is also innovative in its approach to community engagement. We understand that technology alone cannot bring about the desired change. Hence, we have incorporated community-based initiatives that involve local leaders, healthcare providers, and peer educators to create a supportive environment for young women to openly discuss and learn about SRH.

The broader positive impacts of our solution could be manifold. By empowering young women with knowledge and tools to manage their SRH, we are contributing to improved health outcomes, which can have cascading effects on their education, employment opportunities, and overall quality of life. Furthermore, our solution could act as a catalyst for other players in this space to leverage technology in innovative ways to address SRH needs.

In terms of changing the market, our solution could open up new possibilities for wearable technology to be used as a medium for health education and community engagement. It challenges the traditional model of health education by bringing it directly to the user’s fingertips, thereby making it more accessible and personalized. Additionally, our solution has the potential to create a new market segment that focuses on SRH education through wearable technology.

Next Year:

1. Expand User Base:

   • Goal: Reach at least 500 young women with our wearable devices and educational app.
   • How: Enhance marketing efforts, form partnerships with schools and community organizations, and utilize social media to spread awareness.

2. Refine Technology:

   • Goal: Improve the accuracy and functionality of our wearable devices and mobile app based on user feedback from the beta test.
   • How: Engage a dedicated tech team to analyze data, troubleshoot issues, and develop updates accordingly.

3. Enhance Educational Content:

   • Goal: Update and diversify the SRHR educational content in our mobile app to be more inclusive and comprehensive.
   • How: Collaborate with SRHR experts, educators, and community leaders to develop new content and ensure cultural relevance.

Next Five Years:

1. National Expansion:

   • Goal: Extend our services to young women across Tanzania, reaching at least 50,000 users.
   • How: Build on existing partnerships, explore new collaborations, and secure funding to support scaling efforts.

2. Global Outreach:

   • Goal: Launch our solution in at least 2 other countries, tailoring our approach to meet the local needs and contexts.
   • How: Conduct market research, form international partnerships, and adapt our technology and content accordingly.

3. Community Empowerment:

   • Goal: Establish a network of community ambassadors who are trained to educate and support young women in their SRH journey.
   • How: Develop a comprehensive training program, recruit volunteers, and create a supportive ecosystem for community ambassadors.

4. Data and Research:

   • Goal: Utilize the data gathered from our devices and app to contribute to global SRHR research and policy development.
   • How: Partner with research institutions and policymakers, ensure data privacy and security, and engage in advocacy efforts.

Our impact goals are closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically:

• Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Improve health outcomes for young women by providing accurate SRHR information and tracking tools.
• Goal 4 (Quality Education): Enhance access to quality SRHR education through our mobile app.
• Goal 5 (Gender Equality): Empower young women with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions about their health and bodies.

To achieve these goals, we will continue to invest in our technology, expand our educational content, build strong partnerships, and engage deeply with the communities we serve. By doing so, we aim to have a transformational impact on the lives of young women, helping them to take control of their SRH and, ultimately, their futures.

Theory of Change for Cycle Sync Solutions

1. Activities:

• Development and refinement of wearable devices that track menstrual cycles, fertility windows, and related metrics.
• Creation of a mobile app that syncs with wearables and provides SRHR education tailored to individual needs.
• Community engagement through workshops, trainings, and beta testing to collect feedback and foster trust.

2. Immediate Outputs:

• Increased availability and access to SRHR information and tools for young women.
• Empowered users with the ability to monitor and understand their own reproductive health in real-time.
• Enhanced community knowledge on SRHR topics through workshops and training sessions.

3. Short to Medium-term Outcomes:

• Improved SRHR outcomes: With increased knowledge and monitoring capabilities, young women can make informed decisions about their health.
• Reduced myths and misconceptions: Continuous education through the app dispels myths, leading to healthier behaviors and choices.
• Increased agency for young women in managing and understanding their reproductive health, leading to greater self-confidence and autonomy.

4. Long-term Impact:

• Healthier communities: As more young women utilize the device and app, there's a cumulative positive effect on community health outcomes.
• Cultural shifts: Continuous SRHR education can contribute to shifting societal norms and reducing stigmas related to reproductive health.
• Policy and advocacy impacts: Data gathered can provide insights into broader SRHR needs, influencing local and national policies.

Evidence to Support Links:

• Third-party research: Numerous studies highlight the correlation between access to SRHR information and improved reproductive health outcomes. For instance, a study by the World Health Organization indicated that SRHR education can lead to delayed initiation of sexual activity and reduced teenage pregnancies.
• Findings from our beta test: Feedback from the 23 young girls in Morogoro, Tanzania, indicates that the wearable device and app positively influenced their understanding and management of their reproductive health.
• Interviews with the target population: Conversations with young women emphasize the need for user-friendly tools to track menstrual health and the importance of accessible SRHR information.

Our solution team consists of 5

1. Project Manager (Full-time): Responsible for overseeing the project, ensuring all milestones are met, and the solution meets the needs of the target population.

2. Software Developer (Full-time): In charge of developing and maintaining the mobile app, ensuring it is user-friendly and meets the technical requirements.

3. Hardware Engineer (Full-time): Responsible for the development, testing, and refinement of the wearable devices.

4. Community Engagement Coordinator (Full-time): Works on engaging with the community, collecting feedback, and organizing workshops and training sessions.

5. Content Creator (Full-time): Creates SRHR educational content for the app, ensuring it is accurate, relevant, and culturally sensitive.

We have been diligently working on our solution since November 2022. Over the past year, our dedicated team has developed and refined the wearable device and mobile app, conducted a beta test with young girls in Morogoro, Tanzania, and collected valuable feedback to further improve our solution. Our continuous effort and commitment to our goal are a testament to our dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of young girls and women in Tanzania and beyond.

Our team recognizes the importance of incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusivity into our work. We are committed to creating a work environment that values and respects all individuals, regardless of their background or identity.

Our leadership team is comprised of individuals from diverse backgrounds, with a majority being young women. We believe that by having a diverse leadership team, we can bring a range of perspectives and experiences to our work, ultimately resulting in a more effective and impactful solution.

We are actively working towards becoming a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. Our goals include:

1. Continuing to build a diverse team that represents the communities we serve.
2. Fostering an inclusive work environment where all team members feel valued, respected, and supported.
3. Ensuring that our solution is accessible and inclusive, taking into account the needs of marginalized and underserved communities.

To achieve these goals, we have taken several actions:

1. We have implemented a hiring process that values diversity and ensures that all candidates are treated fairly and equitably.
2. We have provided training and resources to our team members to help them understand the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our work.
3. We have engaged with the communities we serve to ensure that their voices are heard and their needs are considered in the development and implementation of our solution.

We believe that by prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusivity, we can create a positive impact on the lives of young girls and women in Tanzania and beyond.

Our business model revolves around providing value to the populations we serve, primarily young girls and women, through our innovative biometric health trackers and accompanying mobile app. 

Our primary beneficiaries are young girls and women in Tanzania and potentially globally, who are currently underserved when it comes to access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information, commodities, and services. Our solution directly addresses their needs by providing them with accurate and personalized health metrics, as well as educational content on SRH.

Our key customers include:

1. Individuals: Young girls and women who purchase our wearable devices and use our mobile app to track their menstrual cycles, fertility windows, and other related metrics. 

2. NGOs and other organizations: We plan to partner with NGOs and other organizations that work in the field of SRH to distribute our devices to young girls and women in remote or underserved areas.

Our products and services include:

1. Wearable devices: Our biometric health trackers are designed to track menstrual cycles, fertility windows, and other related metrics. 

2. Mobile app: Our app syncs with the wearable devices and provides users with personalized health metrics, as well as educational content on SRH.

We provide our products and services by:

1. Selling our wearable devices to individuals and organizations.

2. Offering our mobile app for free to users who have purchased our wearable devices.

Our customers want and need our products and services because they provide them with accurate and personalized health metrics, as well as educational content on SRH, which is currently lacking in many areas of Tanzania and globally. By providing them with this valuable information, we are empowering them to take control of their own health and make informed decisions about their bodies.

Our revenue streams include:

1. Sales of wearable devices to individuals and organizations.

2. Potential partnerships with NGOs and other organizations that work in the field of SRH.

We are committed to continuously improving and expanding our solution to better serve the needs of our beneficiaries, and to ultimately improve the SRH outcomes of young girls and women in Tanzania and beyond.

Our plan for becoming financially sustainable includes a combination of selling products, seeking grants and donations, and forming strategic partnerships.

1. Selling Products:

   • The primary source of revenue will be from the sales of our wearable devices. These devices will be sold to individuals as well as organizations and NGOs that can distribute them to young girls and women in need.

2. Grants and Donations:

   • We will actively seek grants and donations from organizations that support women's health, technology, and education. These funds will be used to improve and expand our solution, including further development of our mobile app and wearable device, and to reach more young girls and women in need.

3. Strategic Partnerships:

   • We plan to form strategic partnerships with NGOs, governments, and other organizations that are aligned with our mission. These partnerships may include service contracts, where we provide our solution to their beneficiaries, as well as collaboration on joint initiatives that can generate revenue and expand our impact.

4. Investment Capital:

   • As we scale our solution, we may consider raising investment capital to fund further development and expansion. This will be explored as an option once we have a proven track record and a clear path to profitability.

To ensure that our revenue streams cover our expected expenses, we will closely monitor our financial performance and adjust our strategy as needed. We will also invest in building a strong team and efficient processes that can help us maximize our impact while minimizing our costs.

Our goal is to create a financially sustainable solution that can continue to provide value to young girls and women in need, while also generating sufficient revenue to cover our expenses and support our growth. By achieving financial sustainability, we will be able to expand our solution to more communities and ultimately improve the sexual and reproductive health outcomes of young girls and women around the world.