This is the story of Izola, a groundbreaking digital health startup that emerged from the shadows of a global crisis. But Izola is about more than technology—bringing hope to families with neurodivergent children.
The inception of Izola traces back to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. As lockdowns confined millions to their homes, the impact on special needs families was profound and immediate. Therapy centres and schools shut their doors, leaving families without critical support. Izola, a German health tech giant Vitafluence subsidiary, quickly responded. Recognizing the need for continuity in care, Izola developed a platform that connects neurodivergent children and their families with vetted therapists, ensuring uninterrupted care from the safety of their homes.
But Izola’s innovation did not stop there. Understanding parents’ myriad challenges in finding reliable resources and support, the startup introduced Xaidi, an AI-powered mobile application.
“Xaidi is an AI mobile application created in Kenya by our young, innovative tech team. It uses artificial intelligence to answer some of these hard questions that parents need answers to,” says Ruth Muthui, Izola’s Chief Technical Officer (CTO). Through Xaidi, parents can easily find information on therapy, nutrition, and other essential needs for children with autism.
Ruth brings a unique blend of expertise and empathy to her role at Izola. As CTO, she is responsible for developing and executing Izola’s technology vision and strategy. But her leadership is also about understanding and addressing the needs of families with neurodivergent children.
“Our objective is usually to simplify the neuro health journey and transform the lives of these families and their neurodiverse children,” says Ruth.
Izola’s journey has not been without hurdles. One significant challenge was ensuring that their products were affordable and accessible to all families in need. They also realized the importance of spreading awareness about neurodivergent conditions to reduce stigma and public judgment.
The 2024 HealthTech Hub Africa (HTHA) Accelerator Program has been a game-changer for Izola. The program’s many resources, including mentorship, training programs, and investor connections, have been transformative for Ruth and her team, providing them with the tools and knowledge to grow and succeed.
“HealthTech Hub Africa has provided us with good mentors, regular catch-up sessions, and programs through their platforms,” said Ruth. “I’ve also learned to step up more into the business side of things in the organization, not just on the tech side.”
The program has facilitated connections to initiatives like the NVIDIA Inception program, providing resources such as cloud credits and technical courses and teaching fundraising and business development complexities.
Ruth envisions Izola leading the charge in health tech solutions across Africa. With a focus on AI-driven innovations, Izola aims to expand its reach, impacting more families and transforming more lives.
“We are an AI-first company, among the first to use AI to break into this small spectrum,” says Ruth. “I see Izola as one of the leading organizations creating amazing solutions and seeing people benefiting.”
At the heart of Izola’s mission is a simple yet profound belief: embracing our differences and supporting each other strengthens us. “We are all unique in our ways,” says Ruth.
Izola’s journey highlights the potential of health tech to address urgent needs and bring about positive change. With the support of initiatives like the HealthTech Hub Africa, Izola and other startups are surviving and thriving, driving innovation and making a real difference in the lives of many.
