The Health Entrepreneurship (HENT) Challenge’s first cohort is getting ready for their upcoming visit to Toronto, where they will continue their implementation phase through activities targeting business development, expanding entrepreneurial networks and facilitating exposure to potential investors.
In the meantime, the HENT Communications team caught up with the ventures from the first HENT Challenge cohort to learn more about the origins of their companies, what they’ve learned to date, and what is coming up next…
Syna Consultancy was created after a conversation with the parent of child with cerebral palsy who was advocating for a hygienic and dependable bathroom solution. After noticing the lack of access to safe and dignified toilets for those who are physically challenged, Co-Founders Sylvia Nyaga and John Kemoli were driven to create an innovative sanitation solution to not only reach those with cerebral palsy, but more generally to aid physically challenged, elderly, and sick populations. Nyaga and Kemoli were faced with the obstacle of recognizing that all physically challenged populations have different needs. They addressed this obstacle by planning, designing and installing tailor-made sanitation solutions for each population while acknowledging that sanitation training is also needed alongside implementation. Syna Consultancy has obtained a utility-model for their innovative design.
What is the accomplishment to date that your team is most proud of?
The successful transition from prototyping to final product, which is currently in the market, impacting lives and contributing towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6. Additionally, we have grown our sales by five times over the course of the last year.
If you could give advice to another founder getting started, what would that be?
Starting a venture comes with its share of challenges, but nothing beats the feeling of witnessing your innovation make a difference and impact lives. I would advise them to keep being resilient and continuously think outside the box.
Looking forward, Syna Consultancy will introduce leasing of their flagship product, the Utulav toilet, to make it accessible to people with temporary disabilities and those who cannot afford the full product price. Additionally, the venture is focused on promoting inclusivity of their product by offering their expertise as consulting services to architects and construction professionals and hope to expand services to East Africa by the end of 2023.
You can learn more about Syna Consultancy
More News & Events
Skip scroller content
From Clinic to Country: Building Ethiopia’s First Integrated Model for Older Adult Health
What began with one doctor questioning fragmented care for older adults has grown into a pioneering model for Ethiopia. With leadership skills strengthened through the IMIx Certificate, Dr. Asrat built an integrated clinic now informing the country’s healthy aging efforts.
Apply for the Fully-Funded Healthy Futures South Africa (HFSA) PhD Fellowship Programme
This four-year programme supports emerging African health researchers and leaders to conduct community-focused research, strengthen health systems, and translate evidence into meaningful policy impact.
Ubuntu Rising Centres Youth Leadership, Innovation and Employment in Africa’s Health Future
More than 80 young health professionals, innovators and leaders gathered at Ubuntu Rising to advance youth leadership, innovation and employment. Their nine recommendations will inform the Africa Health Collaborative’s Youth Agenda and strengthen pathways for young people across Africa’s health ecosystem.
Advancing Health Equity in Africa: How Universities, Civil Society, and Communities Can Strengthen Primary Health Care
In the next HiAS, we explore how governments, universities, civil society and communities can work together to strengthen PHC and advance UHC in Africa, drawing on practical experiences, community engagement and lessons for building more equitable, resilient and people-centred health systems.
Emerging Leaders’ Day: From Youth Participation to Youth Influence
Emerging Leaders’ Day will bring together young health leaders from across Africa to build leadership skills, strengthen networks, and influence conversations shaping the future of health systems.
Leading Change Through Lived Experience
Across Africa, an emerging generation of health leaders is transforming personal challenges into powerful innovations. Through the AHC’s Young Leaders Committee, young researchers, entrepreneurs, technologists, and advocates are drawing on lived experiences with illness, caregiving, mental health, and healthcare inequities to design solutions that strengthen health systems and expand access to care.
2027-2028 Doctor of Public Health Scholarships Open
We are pleased to announce the start of the 2027-2028 Mastercard Foundation graduate scholarship recruitment at the University of Toronto. This doctoral scholarship opportunity is open to recent alumni and graduating students at our Africa Health Collaborative partner universities. These graduate scholarships will be awarded to individuals who have demonstrated academic excellence in associated health-related disciplines […]
Health Innovation as a Pathway to Africa’s Health Sovereignty
Join the next HiAS as Dr. Robert Karanja explores how talent, research, investment, policy, and partnerships can unlock Africa’s potential in digital health, biotechnology, and deep-tech innovation.
Apply for Research Seed Grants from Moi University and the University of Toronto
Apply for the Research Seed Grants by Moi University and the University of Toronto. Eligible researchers can receive up to CAD $5,000 in seed funding to strengthen research capacity, generate new knowledge, and foster long-term institutional collaborations.
Ubuntu Rising: A Youth Leadership Summit for Africa’s Health Future
Ahead of the 18th World Congress on Public Health, Ubuntu Rising will bring together young African health leaders, innovators, and changemakers to co-create a shared agenda for youth leadership, employment, and innovation in health across the continent.