Each week we spotlight one of our DigitalHealth.London businesses, founders or NHS fellows. Today we are delighted to feature Shahnawaz Asif Raja, who is currently participating in the DigitalHealth.London Leap programme.
What was your motivation for starting your own business?
My motivation for founding Biospiel comes from a lifelong aspiration to contribute to society
improvement through technology. Having grown up in Pakistan and continued his studies in several
countries, including Germany and Switzerland, I have witnessed the transformative power of
innovation. This, coupled with my desire to address the lack of transparency and recognition of healthcare professionals’ decision-making in clinical practice, inspired me to create Biospiel.
What challenges have you faced as an underrepresented founder in digital health?
I faced challenges related to visibility, credibility and access to resources. Overcoming bias and stereotypes in the industry is a persistent obstacle. Additionally, navigating regulatory frameworks and building trust among stakeholders required additional efforts. However, I am determined to overcome these obstacles through resilience, collaboration and strategic partnerships.
What is the problem you are trying to solve?
Biospiel tackles the lack of transparency and recognition of the countless decisions made by doctors
professionals in clinical practice. By assigning a cryptocurrency coin to every decision made in the clinic
practical, Biospiel encourages participation and facilitates collaboration between health professionals,
students and researchers. Our platform leverages the power of Web 3.0 technology to create a
medical collaboration and knowledge sharing network.
What successes have you had so far through successful pilots/trials/contracts?
We have successfully launched Module 2 of our web application and established Biospiel as a registered trademark in the UK. Through the DigitalHealth.London Leap program, we have also expanded our networks for potential partnerships and collaboration. These steps validate our vision and demonstrate the potential impact of Biospiel in the digital health landscape.
What are your future goals? What does success look like to you as a founder?
We aim to launch Biospiel globally, transcending geographic boundaries and becoming a global leader in Web 3.0 medical collaboration. Personally, success also means making Biospiel the go-to platform for healthcare professionals around the world, facilitating seamless collaboration and knowledge exchange.
How has your participation in the DigitalHealth.London Leap program helped you achieve these goals?
Participation in the Leap program has been instrumental in accelerating the growth and impact of the Biospiel. The personalized support, mentoring and networking opportunities offered by DigitalHealth.London have helped us navigate the complexities of the digital health ecosystem and forge strategic partnerships, such as those with NHS stakeholders. We gained invaluable knowledge and resources that allowed us to move closer to our goals.
Do you have any advice for future digital health founders?
Stay resilient, adaptable and persistent in pursuing your vision. Embrace diversity and inclusiveness within your team and partnerships because different perspectives lead to innovation and success. Take advantage of support networks like DigitalHealth.London and seek mentorship from experienced industry professionals. Most importantly, stay true to your mission to positively impact healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
Learn more about Shahnawaz Asif Raja and the Biospiel in our innovation repertoire.
Shahnawaz Asif Raja is currently participating in the DigitalHealth.London Leap program.
THE DigitalHealth.London Leap Program is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). It is delivered by the Health Innovation Network (HIN) South London in partnership with the Office of Life Sciences, CW+, Medicity, NHS England, the Mayor of London and the Leveling Up Fund.
For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-
Shared Prosperity Fund prospectus.
