In a significant development in Nigeria's health-tech sector, Clafiya, a pioneering startup, has successfully raised $610,000 in a pre-seed funding round. The funding was a result of a collaboration between various investors, including Norrsken Accelerator, Acquired Wisdom Fund (AWF), Hustle Fund, Voltron Capital, Microtraction, Ajim Capital, HoaQ, Bold Angel Fund, Shivdasani Family, and several other angel investors. This diverse funding mix comprising venture capital, angel investments, and grants will be utilized to fuel Clafiya's product development and team expansion initiatives.
Founded in 2021, Clafiya currently operates in the Nigerian cities of Lagos and Enugu. The startup provides a comprehensive range of healthcare solutions, primarily centered around online consultations, medicine delivery, and strategic partnerships with Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs).
One of the core features of Clafiya's platform is its ability to connect patients with healthcare professionals through both in-person and virtual consultations. This innovative approach allows individuals to seek medical advice and treatment without the inconvenience of physically visiting a hospital. The platform facilitates virtual consultations with doctors via video calls, creating a virtual clinic experience right in the comfort of the patient's home.
Beyond consultations, Clafiya has expanded its services through a well-established partnership network, which now includes wellness and health offerings. Initially designed to bring healthcare closer to those who preferred avoiding hospitals, Clafiya evolved into an online primary healthcare clinic in response to customer demands. This evolution led to the integration of services such as medicine delivery to patients' doorsteps and the collection of diagnostic testing samples directly from their residences. Additionally, the platform connects users to various wellness centers, gyms, nutrition clinics, and other specialized well-being service providers, thanks to strategic partnerships with prominent establishments like i-Fitness, Khairo Diet Clinic, Blueroomcare, Pharmarun, and Famasi Africa.
The press release seen by leading tech news source, TechCabal, revealed that Clafiya has experienced impressive growth, achieving a remarkable 15% month-on-month increase in revenue. The startup's revenue streams originate from servicing over 3,000 individuals and numerous businesses, that utilize Clafiya to offer health insurance benefits to their employees. Clafiya also generates shared profits from collaborating with pharmacies, health centers, and wellness providers.
To optimize its payment system, Clafiya transitioned from a subscription-based model to a more flexible pay-on-demand approach. The company introduced the Clafiya Wallet, allowing users to deposit a specified amount and pay only for healthcare services when needed. The wallet operates similarly to a Pay As You Go (PAYG) system, which was found to be more popular among users.
Despite the potential for growth and success, Clafiya faces the challenge of changing the deeply ingrained culture of self-medication prevalent in Nigeria. The startup's founder, Jennie Nwokoye, emphasized the company's commitment to building trust with customers and ensuring they receive top-notch experiences. By prioritizing customer satisfaction and gradually encouraging responsible healthcare utilization, Clafiya aims to reshape healthcare-seeking behaviors in Nigeria and ultimately bring primary healthcare services to every home in Africa.
Microtraction, one of Clafiya's early institutional investors, expressed excitement about the startup's mission to provide seamless access to primary healthcare in Africa. Dayo Koleowo, a Partner at Microtraction, lauded Clafiya's experienced team, well-thought-out go-to-market strategy, and the vast market opportunity they have identified.
As Clafiya continues to innovate and expand its services, its recent funding success marks a significant step forward in revolutionizing healthcare access and delivery in Nigeria and beyond.
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