Egypt's Chefaa Secures i3 Grant to Scale AI-Powered Chronic Care Platform
Egyptian healthtech innovator Chefaa has been awarded a significant grant from the Innovations in Healthcare (i3) program's third cohort. As the sole MENA representative among the seven African startups selected this round, Chefaa will use the funding (up to $225,000) to further scale its AI-driven platform dedicated to simplifying medication access and management for chronic patients.
Chefaa Awarded i3 Grant for Pharmacy Innovation
Chefaa's selection for the prestigious i3 program underscores the impact of its work in Egypt's healthtech landscape. The program, focused on scaling pharmacy and supply chain innovations across Africa, recognized Chefaa's potential among a competitive pool. Being the only startup from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in this cohort highlights Chefaa's unique position and success.
Chefaa's Platform: Supporting Chronic Patients
Founded to address the challenges faced by chronic patients in accessing medication reliably, Chefaa operates a patient-centric, AI-powered, and GPS-enabled platform. Key services include:
Prescription Fulfillment: Allowing users to upload prescriptions, which are routed to the nearest networked pharmacy for preparation and delivery.
Scheduling & Refills: Managing recurring medication needs for chronic conditions.
E-pharmacy: Ordering non-prescription items and non-pharmaceuticals.
Patient Support: Offering medication reminders, 24/7 access to licensed pharmacists for consultations, and an Arabic pharmaceutical educational blog to improve adherence and health literacy.
Corporate Services: Providing Chefaa Prime, an end-to-end healthcare benefits management service for employees.
The platform aims to tackle accessibility and affordability issues, improving compliance and outcomes for patients managing long-term health conditions across Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
Leveraging Funds for Growth
The non-dilutive grant funding of up to $225,000 from the i3 program will provide Chefaa with crucial resources to accelerate its growth. The company plans to utilize the investment to enhance its AI capabilities, expand its service reach within Egypt and Saudi Arabia (where it already operates), potentially entering new MENA markets, and further develop its platform features focused on chronic patient care.
About Chefaa
Chefaa was founded in 2017 by CEO Doaa Aref, whose personal experiences managing a chronic illness fueled the company's mission, and COO Dr. Rasha Rady, a pediatrician. The Cairo-based startup has successfully raised significant funding over several rounds, including a notable $5.25 million round in December 2023 backed by investors such as Newtown Partners, Global Brain, GMS Capital Partners, Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures, and M3. Chefaa is dedicated to digitizing the healthcare experience with a focus on chronic patients.
Significance for MENA Healthtech
Chefaa's inclusion in the i3 cohort brings international recognition not only to the company but also to the burgeoning healthtech ecosystem in Egypt and the wider MENA region. The grant provides a vital boost for Chefaa to scale its innovative, patient-centric model, potentially setting a benchmark for AI-driven healthcare solutions tailored to regional needs.
About the i3 Program
The Innovations in Healthcare (i3) program aims to identify and scale promising healthcare supply chain and pharmacy innovations across Africa. It is supported by major global health funders and organizations, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, MSD, Cencora, Sanofi's Global Health Unit, Endless Foundation, HELP Logistics (Kühne Foundation), and Chemonics.
Looking Ahead
With this significant support from the i3 program, Chefaa is well-positioned to enhance its platform and expand its impact. The focus will be on leveraging this opportunity to reach more chronic patients across the MENA region, making healthcare more accessible, affordable, and manageable through its innovative technology.
Source: Wamda