Vittas Inc (Techstars '22)

At Vittas, we believe financial health is just as critical as physical well-being. Both require discipline, foresight, and the right tools to thrive.

As 2025 begins, we’ve taken a moment to reflect. And wow, what a 2024! That was no ordinary year for startups in Nigeria. With the naira plunging from a low of 871 to a high of 2000 against the USD, countless businesses struggled to keep their doors open. Yet somehow, Vittas didn’t just survive — we grew. Growth in times like these isn’t luck. It’s resilience. It’s teamwork. It’s staying true to your mission when the world feels like it’s pulling you in every direction. Here’s a look back at how we made it happen: Key Wins in 2024 ✅ We closed Capital Markets Series 1. This wasn’t just a milestone for Vittas — it was a leap toward sustainable growth and innovation. ✅ We reduced our interest costs. Lower costs mean we can do more for healthcare providers, and that’s a win for everyone. ✅ We weathered the forex storm. The naira’s sharp depreciation could’ve sunk us. But we stayed focused, adapted fast, and kept growing. ✅ We finalized our Microfinance Bank (MFB) license. This opens up so many possibilities to support businesses across Nigeria. ✅ We deepened partnerships. Our work with WWCVL expanded to include medical equipment financing, strengthening our commitment to healthcare providers. ✅ We’re building for the future. Our SaaS product for lenders is halfway there, and it’s going to redefine how loan books are managed. ✅ We secured grant funding. In a tough market, this was a huge vote of confidence in our mission. ✅ We kept our team intact. In a year filled with layoffs, we didn’t let anyone go. Our people are the heart of Vittas, and we stood by them. What This Says About Vittas This year tested every startup in Nigeria. The pressure was real. But Vittas thrived because of three things: - Our People: The dedication and grit of our team made every win possible. - Our Vision: We never lost sight of our mission to empower healthcare providers and strengthen the financial ecosystem. - Our Partnerships: Collaboration was everything. Our partners believed in us, and we delivered. Looking Ahead We’re carrying this momentum forward in 2025. There’s so much more to do — more healthcare providers to support, more innovation to drive, and more impact to make. Thank you to everyone who’s been part of this journey. To our team, partners, and community: You made this year unforgettable. 💡 Here’s to scaling greater heights together in 2025! #HappyNewYear

Fintech and healthtech often operate in parallel tracks, but the real magic happens when they collaborate. In emerging markets, where access to both financial services and quality healthcare is limited, the intersection of these two industries can drive transformative impact. Here’s how collaboration can make a difference: 1.     Affordable access to care: Fintech solutions like microloans and “buy now, pay later” models can help patients afford critical treatments or medications without overwhelming their finances. 2.     Empowering healthcare providers: Healthtech platforms can partner with fintech to offer financing for clinics, pharmacies, and hospitals, enabling them to invest in better equipment, expand operations, and serve more patients. 3.     Data-driven decision-making: Healthtech collects valuable data on patient needs, while fintech gathers insights on spending behavior. Together, they can identify gaps and design solutions that are both impactful and sustainable. 4.     Insurance innovation: Microinsurance powered by fintech can make health coverage affordable and accessible, bridging the gap for underserved populations. 5.     Trust and scalability: Fintech brings trust and transparency to transactions, while healthtech builds trust in care. Together, they create ecosystems that are both scalable and resilient. The challenges in emerging markets are massive—but so is the opportunity for collaboration. Fintech and healthtech can do more than coexist; they can amplify each other’s impact. What are the most exciting examples of fintech and healthtech collaboration you’ve seen? Let’s explore what’s working—and where we can go further. #Fintech #Healthtech #Collaboration #EmergingMarkets #Innovation

Improving healthcare in underserved regions often starts with more clinics, better-trained staff, or advanced equipment. But there’s an invisible barrier that holds all of it back: access to financing. Recently, we had a conversation with a healthcare provider who said something powerful: “You can’t save lives with empty shelves or broken equipment.” Tech-enabled financing has the potential to change that narrative. Here’s how: 1.     Empowering local providers: Financing solutions allow clinics and pharmacies to invest in critical inventory and equipment without waiting months to save or secure traditional loans. 2.     Making healthcare accessible: Patients in underserved areas often face the burden of upfront payments. Financing solutions, like pay-later models, help providers deliver care while easing that burden for patients. 3.     Creating operational efficiency: Modern platforms don’t just lend—they educate. Providers gain insights on cash flow management, inventory optimization, and financial sustainability, making their operations more resilient. 4.     Scaling healthcare ecosystems: When financing is accessible, small providers grow. And as they grow, they create ripple effects—more jobs, more care, and healthier communities. Tech-enabled financing doesn’t just fill a financial gap; it builds the backbone of reliable, sustainable healthcare systems in regions that need them the most. To those working in healthcare or fintech: What innovative financing solutions have you seen drive real impact? Let’s keep this conversation going.

What role does data play in transforming healthcare businesses? Are we doing enough with it? Data is often called the “new oil,” but in healthcare, it’s more like oxygen-essential, yet so often taken for granted. From patient outcomes to operational efficiency, data has the power to transform healthcare businesses. But are we truly unlocking its potential? Here’s what I see: 1.     Patient care: Data-driven insights help providers move from reactive to proactive care. Predictive analytics, personalized treatment plans, and AI diagnostics are no longer futuristic, they’re happening now. 2.     Operational efficiency: From scheduling to inventory management, leveraging data optimizes resources. It’s the difference between a stocked pharmacy and a critical medicine shortage. 3.     Transparency and trust: In underserved regions especially, data can reveal inequities and guide resources where they’re needed most. But it also builds accountability. When data tells the story, trust follows. 4.     Challenges we can’t ignore: Data isn’t a silver bullet. Security, privacy, and regulatory compliance are critical to ensure that data-driven healthcare works for patients, not against them. The question isn’t whether data can transform healthcare—it already is. The real question is whether we’re using it to its full potential. So, are we doing enough with it? What’s working, and where are the gaps? We’d love to hear your thoughts. #Healthcare #Data #Innovation #AI #Transformation

Fast-growing markets are a playground for innovation. But they’re also a pressure cooker for operations. New ideas, bold pivots, and ambitious goals are great, until your processes can’t keep up. Or worse, your customers start to feel the cracks. The truth? Balancing innovation with operational efficiency isn’t about choosing one over the other. It’s about building a culture that prioritizes both. Here’s the secret: Innovation thrives on agility, but efficiency thrives on systems. The best companies figure out how to do both at the same time. They test, iterate, and move fast-but they also document, optimize, and scale. For us, it’s about asking two questions constantly: 1. Will this idea move the needle for our mission? 2. Can our team and systems handle it at scale? This balancing act isn’t easy. But in fast-growing markets, it’s the difference between surviving and thriving. How do you strike the balance? Let’s swap notes-this is a conversation we all need to have. #Innovation #GrowthMarkets #OperationalExcellence

When a sudden staff shortage hits and key roles are left unattended, it feels like chaos. You’re scrambling to cover responsibilities, morale is shaky, and the pressure to deliver doesn’t go away. We’ve faced this before, and here’s what we learned about navigating it:  1. Focus on outcomes, not roles.   ✔️“Ensure customer support tickets are resolved within 24 hours.”  ❌“Hire a new customer support lead immediately.” Instead of rushing to replace every position, prioritize what needs to get done and find creative ways to cover those outcomes.    2. Leverage existing team strengths. ✔️“Promote internal talent who can step up temporarily or permanently.” ❌“Overload team members with extra work without support.” Often, the answers are already within your team. Empowering them builds trust and resilience. 3. Communicate with clarity. ✔️“Here’s the plan for the next 30 days while we restructure.” ❌“We’ll figure it out as we go.” Transparency and a clear action plan keep the team aligned and reduce anxiety. Handling a staff shortage is tough, but it’s also an opportunity to rethink priorities, streamline processes, and uncover hidden strengths in your organization. How have you managed unexpected staff shortages? Would love to hear your strategies!

Customer loyalty isn’t built on discounts or perks-it’s built on trust. As Healthcare Providers, the best way to ensure customers come back is to deliver consistent, meaningful value and make their lives easier. This starts with:  - Understanding Their Pain Points Deeply: Talk to your customers, understand what keeps them awake at night, and solve those problems better than anyone else.  - Creating Emotional Connections: Customers don’t just buy products; they buy experiences and alignment with their values. Building that emotional resonance makes you unforgettable.  - Delivering Every Time: Nothing beats consistency. A single poor experience can undo years of loyalty, so flawless execution is key. At the heart of it all is a customer-first mindset. In a world where switching is easy, make it harder for customers to imagine leaving than staying. What do you think? How do you build loyalty in your business?

"The issue wasn’t that they didn’t have patients; it was that they didn’t have the cash flow to serve them." A clinic we worked with had growing patient demand but couldn’t afford to keep their shelves stocked with necessary medication. Here’s what worked: - Financing solutions tailored to their cash flow cycle. - Training on inventory optimization. Within 3 months, their revenue increased by 40%, and they never ran out of stock again. It’s a simple reminder: sometimes, the barrier to growth is access—not capability. Have you encountered cash flow challenges like this in your own business or industry?

"When it comes to healthcare, tomorrow is often too late." The reality for many healthcare providers in Nigeria is this: Financing for critical medication often takes weeks. Digitizing systems feels like a luxury when it should be a necessity. At Vittas, we’ve been working tirelessly to bring solutions that work faster—24-48 hours faster. Because in healthcare, every minute matters. Curious to hear from you: What’s one change you wish the healthcare industry would adopt immediately?