Keshika Jayakumar, a young tech entrepreneur, is on a mission to revolutionize women's healthcare. Her journey began with a personal struggle, enduring excruciating period pain for over a decade while facing skepticism from healthcare professionals. This experience ignited her passion for healthcare and driven her to found Cyra, a groundbreaking app designed to empower women's health.
Jayakumar, a University of Wollongong (UOW) student with a background in cell and molecular biology and nursing, recognized the need for a more empathetic and efficient healthcare system for women. Cyra, developed alongside classmate Shaurya Kansal, aims to provide a comprehensive solution for tracking and managing menstrual health conditions. The app utilizes artificial intelligence to monitor users' cycles, identify patterns, and flag potential issues, offering a convenient and user-friendly approach to healthcare.
One of the key features of Cyra is its at-home hormone test kit, similar to a pregnancy test. Users can easily upload the results to the app, which then generates a report for sharing with healthcare providers. Jayakumar envisions this as a game-changer, potentially reducing the diagnosis time for conditions like endometriosis from six and a half years to a more manageable timeframe. She emphasizes the importance of user data security, ensuring that Cyra never sells personal information, and plans to launch the app in six months.
The road to launching Cyra has been an entrepreneurial journey. Jayakumar's participation in the King's Trust Young Entrepreneur's Program provided valuable insights and support. She was awarded the Young Achiever Award and received $10,000 in seed funding, which will be crucial for incorporating the company. The team aims to raise $1 million from investors to fuel their vision. Jayakumar expresses gratitude for the support from her family, friends, and the community, acknowledging the importance of belief and encouragement in her entrepreneurial endeavors.
Looking ahead, Jayakumar has ambitious plans for Cyra. She envisions it becoming the number one screening and diagnostic tool for women's health, utilized in GP clinics and hospitals worldwide. Her ultimate goal is to make a tangible impact on women's lives, ensuring they have access to the tools they need to advocate for their health. Jayakumar's personal experience and determination to help others have fueled her entrepreneurial spirit, and she is confident that Cyra will make a significant difference in the healthcare landscape.
