Startup Story
Inspired to find a solution to the problem of 90% of amputees in Mozambique never getting access to prosthetic limbs to improve their lives, young entrepreneur Marta Vânia Uetela, founder of BioMec, came up with a plan. Today, she is changing lives through her innovations.
LoA chatted to the inspirational Marta Vânia Uetela to find out more.
What does your company do?
BioMec produces high performance prostheses based on plastic collected from the oceans, aimed at increasing access to artificial limbs at reasonable prices, using a technology that increases compatibility between the residual limb and prosthesis creating comfort. Using the plastic residuals from only 6 bottles or 250g of fish net discarded in the ocean we can build a prosthesis for someone who has suffered an amputation below the knee.
“After some research we realized that 90% of amputees in Mozambique do not have access to prostheses, either because of the high prices, time taken to obtain them, or even access to health care.”
“Using the plastic residuals from only 6 bottles or 250g of fish net discarded in the ocean we can build a prosthesis for someone who has suffered an amputation below the knee.”
What inspired you to start your company?
After a very close friend suffered an accident, he had a really hard time to access a prosthesis. After some research we realized that 90% of amputees in Mozambique do not have access to prostheses, either because of the high prices, time taken to obtain them, or even access to health care. What is more critical is for children because as they grow the prostheses need to be updated - so we decided to change that.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
The fact that our prosthesis is totally based on plastic residuals from the oceans and with a little detail, we can build a new prosthesis based on the old one. We improve people’s lives so they can feel and experience things that would otherwise be challenging without a well-designed prosthesis, giving them confidence and productivity.
BioMec believes in climate change, recycling and harmony with nature by re-purposing harmful plastic materials to lift people’s lives providing biomechanics solutions for biomedical engineering.
Tell us a little about your team
Biomec is formed by a young and dynamic team composed mostly of students and recent graduates from different fields such as engineering, medicine, chemistry and design.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I've been exploring entrepreneurship for 2 years now. My main area of interest is alternative production systems, from houses to prostheses. Last year I founded Minimal LivingBox (design and construction of houses and offices based on containers) which was awarded as the best start-up of the year in Mozambique by Total. BioMec was selected for the Top 3 best start ups in Africa by ClimateLaunchPad 2020.
“We improve people’s lives so they can feel and experience things that would otherwise be challenging without a well-designed prosthesis, giving them confidence and productivity.”
“BioMec believes in climate change, recycling and harmony with nature by re-purposing harmful plastic materials to lift people’s lives providing biomechanics solutions for biomedical engineering.”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
Our plans are to develop prosthetic solutions that make it possible to feel and experience a life without limitations for 100.000 years in the next 5 years, reducing costs, improving access and creating better compatibility and comfort. Also, to reuse 20% of plastic residuals from the most polluted beach in Mozambique.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
What gives me the most satisfaction for being an entrepreneur is to solve problems, somehow improve people’s lives, and profit during the process.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
When you do something you love, there is an amazing energy behind it which makes everything so much better - you can create something and make a career out of what you love.
Contact or follow BioMec
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL marvatela@biomec.co.mz
Why LoA loves it….
This is such an inspirational story and another great example of how Africa’s women entrepreneurs are motivated to start their businesses and to innovate in response to societal challenges. Marta Vânia Uetela is one of those unique, highly innovative and socially motivated entrepreneurs who believe they can make a difference in the world through their efforts and innovations. Her work, and her innovations, are a testament to that belief. This is one young woman entrepreneur to watch as she creates lasting impact in her country through her ability to change lives for the better. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo of Lionesses of Africa