Startup Snapshot
Startup name: Chase Pharmaceutical Group
Industry: HealthTech
Business Model: B2C, B2G, B2B, B2B2C SaaS
Founder: Diego Chávez, Miguel Fernandez, Efraín Sepulveda
Operates in: Mexico
HQ Location: Monterrey, Mexico
Team Size: 20
Founded: 2019
Stage: Pre-Seed
Investors: Angel Hub and Angel Investors
Website: allyfarma.com
What does Ally Farma do?
Ally Farma is a digital pharmacy specializing in the management of recurring treatments. Their goal is to ensure treatment adherence, for all patients, through technology and automation.
What's your backstory?
During Diego's tenure as CEO at Deliverit, an on-demand delivery platform, they encountered a significant challenge – the lack of technology to attract independent delivery drivers, leading them to employ drivers directly. Unfortunately, this resulted in unpredictable demand spikes during meal times, prompting the need for a solution to optimize operations and minimize team downtime.
Identifying pharmacies as a suitable solution due to their non-stop operating hours, Deliverit faced reluctance from traditional pharmacies to collaborate.
In a stroke of luck, Efraín heard Diego's insights during an interview and approached him with an opportunity to integrate medication distribution into Deliverit. This marked the birth of Chase Pharmaceutical and FarmaGo.
However, when Deliverit was suddenly acquired, FarmaGo had no sales or distribution platform, as it heavily relied on Deliverit. In this crucial moment, they needed a general manager to step in and take charge. Miguel Fernandez (Mikey), a close friend of Diego who had been providing valuable advice, stepped up to the task and helped initiate operations at FarmaGo amid all the commotion.
How did you come up with the idea?
Diego's father became ill, and Diego constantly visited multiple pharmacies to obtain the complete medication for his treatment. Unfortunately, the process was plagued with challenges adding to the already high frustration for Diego and his family.
How did you acquire your first customers?
Diego & Mikey interviewed acquaintances with recurring conditions to understand how they managed their treatments. It was challenging because only some were open to sharing their experiences. However, it became clear that there was no simple and standard solution; everyone approached it differently.
At this moment, the team decided to standardize the treatment process for his father and simultaneously successfully standardized and automated the treatment for some acquaintances.
When did you realize you achieved PMF?
The pivotal moment came when the same patients started referring FarmaGo to their acquaintances, recognizing the value and effectiveness of the service. This enthusiastic word-of-mouth promotion was a strong indicator that they had achieved product-market fit.
Realizing the potential for growth and expansion, they embarked on building a comprehensive technological solution to track and manage patients while also exploring the opportunity to offer FarmaGo's existing B2C services to businesses. The response from companies was overwhelmingly positive, further solidifying their position in the market.
At this juncture, Ally Farma emerged, fully aware that they had achieved product-market fit.
Ally Farma focused on serving the B2C market, while FarmaGo continued to operate as a specialized platform for B2B, B2B2C, and B2G interactions.
What's your motivation?
The situation with Diego's father, characterized by misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment follow-up, served as a driving force for Ally. Recognizing that treatment adherence statistics hover around 44%, Ally is determined to ensure that every patient they serve achieves 100% compliance with their prescribed treatments. Their ultimate goal is to enable patients to focus entirely on their recovery without the burden of constantly managing medication and treatment logistics.
Ally understands that patients should be able to dedicate their energy and time solely to their healing journey. By assuming responsibility for all other aspects, Ally is a dedicated Health Concierge, providing comprehensive support and streamlining the healthcare experience. Whatever healthcare needs arise, Ally is committed to making it effortless for individuals to access the necessary resources and services for their well-being.
What's next for Ally?
For Ally, the end game is to become LATAM's number-one solution for recurring treatments. A robust digital presence is crucial to serving patients wherever and whenever they need assistance.
They are integrating AI to measure patient levels and digitize patient behavior and medical records. This enables them to provide better diagnoses with specialists and improve treatment adherence. By leveraging technology, Ally aims to enhance the overall patient experience and ensure optimal health outcomes.
Tips for other founders:
Keep it simple. Start with whatever you have, but start.
The Total Addressable Market (TAM) is secondary. First, ensure that a stranger is willing to buy your solution, even if it's a basic version, rather than waiting for a perfect platform.
Look for complementary profiles in your co-founders.
Special offer for our readers🚀
7% off your first purchase. Contact Ally Farma via WhatsApp and mention Founders Launchpad!
* Valid from August 2023 - December 2023
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