Organika extends hand to physically challenged people
Aumia Haq
Khan Samiuzzaman, founder of Organika, a company that seeks to help physically disabled people in Bangladesh by providing them ultra-affordable, articulated and fully customisable 3D printed prosthetic limbs and orthotic support being provided at low cost. He is also the co-founder of a media production house called Flybot Studios.
SD Asia interviews Samiuzzaman on Bootcamp Demo day, sharing his views and experience working on this sector.
How did you generate the business idea?
It basically came out of my own research. I spend a lot of time on the internet trying to learn about new things and try to find areas where I can innovate and make an impact to. One day I saw a video where an American man was making 3D prosthetics for kids. Watching that video ignited a spark in me.
The prosthetics market in Bangladesh is quite neglected and there is not enough innovation. I visited several hospitals and privatised prosthetics companies to get a better idea about the prosthetics market. My observations were couplefirstly , prosthetics prices were really expensive in Bangladesh in compassion to the regular global prosthetics prices.
Secondly, 10 per cent of Bangladeshi people are physically disabled, 90 per cent of whom are so due to accidents. And the reality strikes harder to know that they can barely afford to get prosthetics and thus making them unable to get good jobs. Sadly, disabled children are often teased and bullied to the point that they are afraid of going to school. And lastly, the current prosthetics are very overwhelming. It stands out in way that makes the wearer feel self conscious and makes them want to hide themselves.
My company Organika seeks to provide the disabled people of Bangladesh with customised 3D printed prosthetics that will change their lives. 3D printers are so cheap and user friendly that they could very easily become an integral part of peoples lives. We provide not just user friendly but also natural prosthetics. The power of peoples individuality will reflect in their prosthetics and they will want to show it off instead of hiding it. For example if the user is an Avengers fan, we will provide them with prosthetics with an Avengers theme with the proper lighting and color scheme.
Have you developed any demos of the 3D printed prosthetics?
Targeting the mass people, we are developing the 1st prototype right now. We are focusing on making it as cheap as possible. Later on we will put in sensors so that the users can feel touch, along with several other options. Our 3D printed prosthetics are also very articulate. Currently the prosthetics available in the market look like mannequin limbs. With our prosthetics a kid can grip their toys and with proper training users can grip a glass of water and drink from it.
How do you define success?
Success to me is when people start to appreciate and fully find value in what I am developing.
What is your favorite thing about being as
entrepreneur?
Being an entrepreneur allows space me to be curious and creative. It allows me a space for using all my skills and all my knowledge to come up with something innovative and creative. That is my favorite part of being an entrepreneur.
It doesnt necessarily have to be something new, I could innovate an existing idea for example a prosthetics market. Because I am an entrepreneur I can revolutionise the prosthetics market through innovation and take it to a whole new level, where its going to be advantageous to people.
As an entrepreneur what sacrifices did you have to make?
I dont get to spend any time with my family and friends. Its takes up so much time that I cant get enough sleep and I have to work even when sick. There are no days off to being innovative and creative.
What message would you like to give to the
aspiring, young entrepreneurs?
My advice is to start as young as possible. I am 22 and I am still facing problems and learning from them. I am still not close to the big names of innovation but Im trying to get there. Before, being an entrepreneur or business man meant getting a factory, getting employees etc.
Now business is all about ideas. If you have the passion to transform your idea into something that will add value to people that itself is entrepreneurship. The rest comes later. If you have the core idea and passion then youre off to an amazing start.
How are your views different now, after youve participated in the SD Asia 12 Week Entrepreneur Bootcamp? How has it helped you?
The Bootcamp was a pleasant surprise for me. What I learned from it and what I got from it was a lot different from what I expected in the beginning. When I first started I did not have a lot of knowledge how to pitch your idea effectively to investors, how to make a business model canvas, how to develop my product properly and so on. Now I do.
All the information was concise, precise and very well put together. It helped me a lot.
The mentors Samad Miraly, Fayaz Taher and Mustafizur Rahman were all very helpful and friendly. I am not a very attentive person but the Bootcamp was so effective that it had my full attention from start to finish. It helped me push myself further.
I think thats what I needed that extra push in the right direction.
Any book or movie that has inspired you as an entrepreneur?
The movie The Wolf of Wallstreet directed by Martin Scorsese had a huge impact on me. It got me hyped up about business and entrepreneurship. I understand there are some moral stigmas but there is also a lot to take away from that movie.
The whole energy of the movie, the way Jordan Belfort revolutionised his business and his life has really inspired me a lot.
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