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Sheana Yu, the visionary CEO and Founder of Aergo Health embarked on a journey to develop a groundbreaking and innovative seating system for individuals with disabilities. 

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Aergo Health’s cutting-edge postural management platform utilises pressure-sensitive air cells to detect seated movements, automatically correcting posture to prevent unhealthy positions. Initially designed for individuals with neuromuscular disorders, the technology addresses muscle-wasting conditions and provides crucial support automatically. 

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Sheana’s Triumph: A Year of Reflection 

In a year of triumph, Sheana reflects on the profound impact of the Innovation Challenge – one of the Innovation Challenge judges at the finals shared a personal connection to their concept, emphasising its potential to enhance the well-being of individuals in care homes, shedding light on the broader impact beyond clinical applications. 

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The experience highlighted the importance of addressing overall lifestyle choices, recognising that quality of life significantly influences health. Amidst memorable moments and connections with mentors, Sheana’s key takeaway was to consistently reflect on Aergo Health and aspire beyond current achievements, driven by the entrepreneurial desire for continuous improvement. 

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The 2022 Innovation Challenge Winner  

Winning the Innovation Challenge allowed Aergo Health to accelerate the company’s growth by facilitating product testing, and the £20,000 prize money was utilised to create 20 high-fidelity samples of their new product, Aerseats. These samples were then distributed to early adopters, specifically adult wheelchair users between the ages of 25-70 years with neuromuscular disorders or spinal cord injuries, leveraging the exposure and brand awareness gained through the competition.  

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The funds were instrumental in setting up their own case study, generating clinical evidence for the effectiveness of their technology in the adult wheelchair user market. Sheana expresses excitement about utilising the case study to share user stories and attract potential customers to their waiting list; Aergo Health is now in the production stage, gearing up for a wider product launch in January 2024. 

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Sheana believes what sets Aergo Health apart from other businesses is that they deliver more than an impact-driven solution to a particular problem with numerous applications. They have the potential to solve pressure ulcers, expand into office seating, and beyond that, there’s also the automotive industry, particularly tackling the musculoskeletal issue of long-distance driving.  

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Accenture’s Impact on Aergo Health’s Evolution  

Through the Accenture mentoring programme, Aergo Health worked with mentors and sponsors who helped refine their business model. Master classes from the Henley Business School organised impactful master classes, particularly in sales, featuring practical role-playing sessions.  

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Their sessions focused on their new product, the Aerseat, covering marketing strategies and cost-saving measures. Sheana worked with multiple mentors from various backgrounds; one emphasised marketing across online and offline channels, they highlighted Aergo Health’s transition to an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) supplier with a focus on sustainability, and a Henley Business School mentor advised on expanding into foreign markets, particularly into the US, addressing regulatory, cultural, and strategic considerations. 

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“Gaining insights from a mentor offers a fresh perspective on your business, revealing untapped strengths; fostering opportunities for new partnerships and aiding fundraising efforts which is really useful,” Sheana attests. 

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Next Steps for Aergo Health  

Aergo Health aims to manufacture and sell its products in 2024, building an intellectual property portfolio. The long-term vision is to evolve into an OEM and, eventually, a licensing model, aspiring to become the industry standard for seating solutions. Additionally, they wish to start selling directly to seating manufacturers across various industries, including wheelchairs, offices, automotive, and healthcare. 

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Sheana plans to launch Aerseats to market in January 2024, expand Aergo Health’s B2C sales channel, and enter European markets including Germany, Netherlands, France, and Sweden as their target market. The roadmap includes enhancing the posture database and strengthen the Artificial Intelligence for posture management.  

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Unlocking Opportunities Through Innovation Challenge 

“My advice to ethnic founders looking to participate in the Innovation Challenge is to simply apply; you gain a lot from the experience, such as meeting new people, networking with the community, and gaining visibility for your business. It’s an excellent platform to grow, expand, and think beyond your current business plan,” Sheana advises.