Entrepreneur Jose Ma. "Biboy" Martinez MD
AGSB MBAH
ENTREP HO2
NU10 - Innovative Ideas
NU1: SALADDIN - Fresh Salad Greens from Farm to Doorstep
Leading a healthy lifestyle is a growing concern. A primary consideration is eating the right food and knowing how it was grown. Freshness on delivery is likewise a challenge. This is almost impossible to do in a busy supermarket or grocery. Weekend markets may offer a solution but may still be tedious and at times inconsistent. The need therefore arises for a steady reliable supply of naturally grown food delivered fresh to ones' doorstep.
The solution is linking a natural farm and its products to consumers by means of an online ordering application. This ensures that the food is delivered fresh and the supply meets the demand. The farm can offer its available products at the appropriate harvest time and fill the orders according to demand. There is no wastage of supply as everything harvested has already been ordered. The food is harvested very early in the morning and delivered directly to consumers via pick-up points wherever convenient. Frequent ordering may eventually lead to a subscription service if so desired by the consumers. The key innovation here is improved access to products and connecting to a distinct customer segment. The wish of the health-conscious has been granted with SALADDIN.
NU2: FARMHIRAM - Farm Equipment Rental
Farming techniques in the rural areas are laborious and slow. Cleaning a field for weeds and tilling the soil may take days of labor. Small-scale farmers often do not have the modern equipment to do these tasks easier and faster. Lack of capital to invest in equipment prevents the ordinary farmer from realizing a more abundant harvest. The need to be fulfilled is bringing modern farming equipment and machinery within the reach of the ordinary farmer.
The solution is investing in small portable farm tractors and equipment that can be rented by farmers to make their processes more efficient. Foremost among the list is a tractor to till the soil (replacing the carabao), grass cutters, chain saws, portable rice mills and dryers. Equipment may be rented together with the operators to ensure proper care and maintenance. This should make our farmers more productive at a minimal cost to them. The innovation is improved access to technology resulting to improved productivity.
NU3: BIKE TANAY -Tanay Mountain Bike Tour and Rental
The town of Tanay in the province of Rizal is a mountain biker's haven. There are many challenging and scenic trails to enjoy. However most of these trails are uncharted and one can easily get lost in the terrain. There are some guides and suggestions from people who have experienced the ride as well as a few big tour operators (none local to the area). Getting to the trails is likewise challenging if one comes all the way from Manila. Having the right equipment (bikes, helmets, vehicle carriers) and logistics (food, drinks) also matter in a successful ride. The need arises for a local accredited bike tour operator to service the area.
The inspiration here is a tour operator providing services for white-water rafting in Cagayan de Oro. I was there for a business trip and had very limited time on my hands. The tour operator was able to provide the experience for the time window that I had with minimal preparation on my part.
A bike tour operator can provide detailed information on trails (highlights, difficulty levels), equipment (the bike itself, helmets, service) and logistics. One can enjoy a charted route with minimal preparation. It is very convenient for people who want the biking experience but do not have the complete equipment available to them. This may appropriate for novice and beginning riders, local and international tourists, and yes people who do not even own a bike. Bookings can be coordinated thru an online platform. Rental bikes can be secured with GPS trackers. The tour operator also provides employment to locals in the community effectively motivating them to preserve and care for the natural environment. The result is an improved appreciation for the sport and the locality of Tanay.
NU4: HERBREF -Indoor Hydroponic Herb Garden using old refrigerators
Fresh herbs enhance the flavor of food. They also carry good nutritional value. It is best when herbs are freshly picked and mixed with food immediately. The problem is availability and supply. You can only get them from specialty groceries and the quality is often unsatisfactory. It would be nice to have your own herb garden in your kitchen supplying your everyday needs.
Old refrigerators can be bought cheap at junk shops. They can be customized into a growing cabinet with good insulating properties. They can be fitted with fans for temperature and humidity control. Growing lights can be installed with strip LED bulbs and controlled by automatic timers. Hydroponic growing systems can be fitted into a vertical stack to maximize space.
The growing units can be sold complete with accessories to customers. It comes with complete instructions and a starter supply of nutrient solution. The business can also earn from sale of nutrient solution and maintenance of growing boxes. This satisfies the need for fresh herbs and provides a recycling path for old refrigerator units. Target market would be middle to upper income households as well as gourmet restaurants that can accommodate space for the growing boxes.
NU5: AMOY PINOY – truly Filipino fragrances
The perfume and fragrance business is a multi-million dollar industry. Most of the technology, expertise and brands are based in Europe and the US. Our standards and preferences for scents are actually adopted from western standards. A fragrance company called Jo Malone recently set up shop in Makati and they introduced the idea of selling individual scents from natural sources in nature like citrus, grapefruit, sandalwood, freesia. One can purchase several scents and experiment on combining them to come up with a unique scent. The Jo Malone fragrances are very expensive and feature only fragrances from western sources.
We have a number of local fragrances that are very appealing. Take for example dama de noche, ilang-ilang, sampaguita and other wild flowers. There are also delightful fruity scents like dalandan and mango. Let's not include durian yet as the market may not be ready for it. There are natural scents from trees and leaves like Baguio pine, Mahogany, Citronella, Pandan, Pinipig, and Cinnamon etc. The idea here is to extract local scents from different locations in the Philippines and manufacture perfumes that express a truly local flavor. Filipinos may associate easily with these scents because they are most familiar with it. The scent scan be sold in small sizes to encourage customers to buy several and experiment on combining them. The business promotes our local produce and establishes a distinct Filipino identity. Truly AMOY PINOY!
NU6: HEALTHY COCKTAILS – Local Herb-infused alcoholic drinks
There's nothing like having a few drinks after a hard day. It relaxes and recharges the senses. Although this can be bad in excess there is a way to add good nutrients to the drinks and make them "healthier". The inspiration here is the classic drink called the Mojito. It's a very popular cocktail heavily infused with mint leaves.
There are local herbs with excellent antioxidant properties. Most notable are malunggay, oregano, lemongrass, and cucumber. These can be infused with local spirits like gin and rum to create drinks that can offer true nutritional value. These can be marketed as bottled drinks or promoted initially in a "healthy bar".
NU7: MATALINAW: Ophthalmic TeleHealth System
Bringing healthcare to far-flung areas is oftentimes challenging. There are around 1,800 eye specialists in the Philippines but most of them are in the urban areas because practicing the craft requires specialized equipment. The specialty is literally very "visual" in a sense because we can actually see what is wrong by seeing the numerous parts of the eye. This is an ideal specialty for telehealth – diagnosis can be based on good imaging.
Imaging systems have evolved and improved considerably. There are portable high definition cameras that can be operated by laymen with special training. These can image the different parts of the eye and provide good quality pictures for evaluation of a specialist. A team of laymen and nurses can be organized and equipped with basic screening cameras and they can be deployed to far-flung areas at regular intervals. The images and data can be sent online to a central station manned by eye specialists. Patients that need specialty care can then be identified and arranged to be seen by specialists. The group earns by providing surgical services while the screening can remain free. This is one way to increase the influx of patients to a practice. This also benefits the patients by making their screening visit free and being able to diagnose eye conditions earlier. A smarter way to deliver eye healthcare – Matalinaw!
NU8: 2nd OPINION: Online Ophthalmology Diagnostic Reading Center
Ophthalmology employs numerous diagnostic tests to identify eye diseases accurately. Subspecialists in the fields of glaucoma, retina and external disease best interpret most of these tests. There may not be local available experts in some parts of the country. There can also be a need for individually practicing ophthalmologists to get another opinion for their challenging and difficult cases.
This service can be offered online with images beamed to a central server. The server can be secured and integrity and confidentiality of the data preserved. Ophthalmologists can avail of the service by subscription or as per test. An initial reading can be provided as well as an over-read of previous tests. Bringing together recognized subspecialists is key to this endeavor. This is like bringing a radiologist reading room online. The online platform can significantly expand the reach of subspecialty services and benefit patients nationwide.
NU9: NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHT CLINICS: Medical and Dental services after office hours
Medical and Dental services are usually provided during regular office hours. The patients have to miss work or school to be able to avail of these services. There is also the growing trend towards practices being hospital-based or mall-based. The doctor practicing in his place of residence within the community is growing rare. This project intends to revive the home-based medical and dental practice.
Consultation will be done at a clinic in a residential area from 8PM-12MN. There will be numerous MD's practicing at defined schedules during the week. The logistics are the same as a regular clinic except that there will be added security systems as well as accepting cash or credit card payments exclusively. The clinic cannot honor HMO patients because there are no approval systems after office hours. This allows the doctors to charge premium payments for the services offered.
NU10: MIND YOUR GLAUCOMA: Glaucoma Reminder App
Glaucoma is a chronic disease that tends to be progressive if inadequately treated. The end result if not properly treated is permanent blindness. Most glaucoma patients require eyedrops that are instilled at regular intervals. There are also regular glaucoma tests and follow-up consultations. Compliance with all of these schedules is crucial for glaucoma patients to preserve their vision.
The Glaucoma reminder app is installed in the cellphone of patients and guardians. This activates the cellphone alarm to provide notifications for eyedrops or consults. The app can also be a source of data and information about glaucoma. A built-in forum or discussion board can provide an avenue for patient support. A 24-7 hotline can also be set-up to provide emergency services. This simple app can hopefully improve the compliance of glaucoma patients and thereby decrease the occurrence of glaucoma blindness worldwide.
Jose Ma. Martinez MD
Ophthalmic Surgeon
Glaucoma Specialist
Office No. +632789 7700 loc 7316 3,5
No comments:
Post a Comment