Linking Doctors & Midwives with Low-Cost Medical Supplies
Tiana Reid — January 25, 2012 — Social Good
References: maternova.net & images.businessweek
Meg Wirth, the CEO of Maternova, was named one of America's Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs of 2011 by Bloomberg Businessweek. Covered on SocialBusiness.org in early January, Maternova is a for-profit business that helps to provide the Majority World with access to low-cost medical supplies.
We interviewed Meg Wirth about her business model, her past work and how she stays inspired.
Four Questions with Meg Wirth
1. How did the idea for the business model come about?
The business model evolved in response to demand. We began as mainly a knowledge management site but quickly learned that visitors to the site didn't want to
just learn about technologies -- they wanted access to them quickly and in customizable quantities. Thus the marketplace was born.
2. How did you decide to join this sector?
I came from the other direction, if you will. I have always worked in the public sector -- for the UN, for the Rockefeller Foundation and on donor-funded projects. I saw the
need for a business-driven approach. After some time consulting to a global health venture capital fund, I felt ready to start my own venture.
3. How do you get your inspiration?
There were many many sources of inspiration but one of them that came at a key time. I was reading an article about a woman, Shannen Rossmiller, a former judge from Montana, who is a self-appointed cyber-spy tracking terrorists from her home computer.
The main inspiration I get is hearing from the incredible women and men who are midwives, nurses and obstetricians delivering babies around the world. To me they
are heros.
4. How do you reset yourself to be creative? Do you have any rituals?
No rituals really but I do a lot of yoga and I find shopping, even if I don't buy anything, therapeutic! Also I listen to Pandora on shuffle while working!
We interviewed Meg Wirth about her business model, her past work and how she stays inspired.
Four Questions with Meg Wirth
1. How did the idea for the business model come about?
The business model evolved in response to demand. We began as mainly a knowledge management site but quickly learned that visitors to the site didn't want to
just learn about technologies -- they wanted access to them quickly and in customizable quantities. Thus the marketplace was born.
2. How did you decide to join this sector?
I came from the other direction, if you will. I have always worked in the public sector -- for the UN, for the Rockefeller Foundation and on donor-funded projects. I saw the
need for a business-driven approach. After some time consulting to a global health venture capital fund, I felt ready to start my own venture.
3. How do you get your inspiration?
There were many many sources of inspiration but one of them that came at a key time. I was reading an article about a woman, Shannen Rossmiller, a former judge from Montana, who is a self-appointed cyber-spy tracking terrorists from her home computer.
The main inspiration I get is hearing from the incredible women and men who are midwives, nurses and obstetricians delivering babies around the world. To me they
are heros.
4. How do you reset yourself to be creative? Do you have any rituals?
No rituals really but I do a lot of yoga and I find shopping, even if I don't buy anything, therapeutic! Also I listen to Pandora on shuffle while working!
Trend Themes
1. Low-cost Medical Supplies - Opportunity for disruptive innovation in creating affordable and accessible medical supplies for the Majority World.
2. Business-driven Approach - Opportunity for disruptive innovation in applying a business approach to address public health challenges.
3. Inspiring Healthcare Professionals - Opportunity for disruptive innovation in empowering and supporting healthcare professionals delivering care worldwide.
Industry Implications
1. Healthcare Supply Chain - Opportunity for disruptive innovation in optimizing the supply chain to deliver low-cost medical supplies efficiently.
2. Public Health - Opportunity for disruptive innovation in leveraging business models to tackle public health issues effectively.
3. E-commerce for Medical Products - Opportunity for disruptive innovation in creating online marketplaces for customizable and affordable medical supplies.
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