Enhanced Mobility for India Final Presentation 3/14/2013 Blaine Matulevich Martin Baby Vishnu Kishore Brian Okoro
Introduction Over 6 million Indians have mobility-related disabilities; 400,000 in Kerala alone Growing rate Available products costly for average consumer, uncomfortable, break easily, and difficult to repair
Mission To design and develop a mechanism which will significantly improve the mobility of disabled people in Kerala, further aiming to generate a highly active and both economically and environmentally stable market around this product.
Market Research Individuals: Primarily in Kottayam district Interviewed over 20 persons Face-to-face and by phone
Market Research Caretakers: Mercy Home Chethipuzha 60 members
Market Research Hospital: Pushpagiri Medical College,Thiruvalla Center for Innovative Design of Affordable Technologies
Design Process - Intelligent Mobility International - Decided to iterate on IMI's solution based on results of Indian market research
Design Fully adjustable height and width Adjustable armrests improve transfers Bicycle parts keep costs low, facilitate repairs
Design Challenges Biggest challenge: simplicity Had ideas for powered, pneumatic, etc. Complexity = $$$ Decided to emphasize cost reduction Working with experienced partners to avoid or mitigate further problems Issues likely to arise with beta testing Smart questionnaires Efficient reiteration
Risks and Mitigation - Confident strong market exists; need to work out logistics - At this point, many interested partners but still in a planning phase - All parties on same page sustainable enterprise
Manufacturing Chennai-based wheelchair manufacturer Mostly builds custom electric models
Manufacturing Capability for mass-production Wheelchair design experience Desire to enter manual wheelchair market Socially committed Over 50% of employees disabled
Beta Testing Plan Manufacture 10-20 wheelchairs Distribute through Keralese partners Pushpagiri Medical College and Hospital Havens Home for the Disabled Mercy Home Chethipuzha Collect detailed feedback Make any necessary design changes
Distribution and Sales Plan Current wheelchairs: $100-200 Last 3-5 years with proper maintenance IMI chair: manufactured and shipped for $40 End price of $60-80 Expect similar or better service life
Distribution and Sales Plan Current wheelchairs: $100-200 Last 3-5 years with proper maintenance IMI chair: $40 for manufacturing End price of $60-80 Expect similar or better service life
Distribution and Sales Plan Three target markets Established medical equipment distributors Sell to individuals Hospitals and care facilities NGO's and government organizations
Distribution and Sales Plan Distributors 50-70 major dealers in Kerala Sell 125-150 pieces per month Sell directly to distributors Hospitals and care facilities Use wheelchairs and advise patients Can help fit wheelchairs Pushpagiri Hospital will connect us NGO's and government US - Free Wheelchair Mission, etc. India - use contacts to reach local organizations
Funding Plan Two purposes 1. Providing wheelchairs a. Bottom of pyramid impact b. Economy of scale 2. Growing business a. Permanent presence in India b. Testing, production, distribution
Funding Plan US funding options Donations Social entrepreneurship funding National Collegiate Inventors & Innovators Alliance Angel or venture investment
Funding Plan India funding options Donations Rotary and Lions clubs Social entrepreneurship funding SaintGITS Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Prize funding
Business Plan In the next six months: Pursue funding Develop relationships with Indian partners Travel to India Observe manufacturing process Meet with hospital and other partners Beta test Redesign into final product
Business Plan In the next twelve months: Begin manufacturing final design Local sales manager Sales to distributors 5% (155/month) Sales to hospitals and NGOs
Business Plan In the next two to three years: Scale sales team Continue distribution 15-30% (500-1000/month) Look to accelerate growth Large NGOs, government Expand outside Kerala
Business Challenges Distance Establish ground presence for sales Working closely with partners Limited financial resources Early-stage funding Legwork The unknown Learning experience! Partners
Vision Establish a successful, sustainable business Help millions of impoverished, disabled Indians acquire the dignity, personal and economic freedom that a wheelchair can provide Inspire others to social entrepreneurship
Thank You!