PITCH – FOR INVITES ONLY:

Background

BACKGROUND

This idea came to mind when Johan, 11, spent 28 days in a hospital bed. The nurses told him to press the “emergency” button on the wall if he needed help. He and his parents did. Over and over again. They realized the obvious – the nurses were wasting too much time on non-emergency issues, called for by patients who had no other options to contact a nurse than to use the “emergency” button. Also, the patients did not know when the nurse would handle their request.

Johan’s mum Kerstin works within organization development in the Norwegian health sector, in particular efficiency improvement within administrative processes. Kerstin also knew that in 2035, Norway will lack 30.000 nurses in the health sector. She figured out that if the nurses had a way to communicate with the patients before running back and forth for the wrong reasons, the Norwegian health sector alone could save 30% of the time spent. This would amount to 2-3 billion NOK in cost savings per year.

Who and why

WHO AND WHY

We are entrepreneurs with successful projects and achievements behind us within several sectors: IT development and delivery, leadership, sales, marketing, communication, hospitals and health care, clean-tech, renewables, sustainability and human resources. Each of us have collected over 30 years of experience,  and we complete each other through our different areas of know-how. More

Kerstin

Dag Arild

Stein-Are

Patrik

Bjorn

We started the Norwegian company Ping4Help AS in 2021 in order to develop and commercialize the product described in this document. The product is also named Ping4Help, which is our registered trademark. The four founders have equal shares of the company. New owners will be invited via new issues of shares.

We believe in compassionate connections, trust and generosity. We believe that sincere human relations travel efficiently over cultural borders, linguistic barriers and time zones. We also believe that increased efficiency, resulting in reduced operating costs, can be combined with a higher focus on human compassion. For individuals and the society.

THE PROBLEM

We have identified a white spot on the map between those who need help and those who gives help. We have named them HELPER (gives help) and HELPEE (receives help).

First of all, in the hospital and health care sector, we found substantial flaws in the existing systems for communication between patients needing help and nurses. The systems are inefficient, and the nurses' will to provide compassionate care is disturbed by time-consuming interruptions. Also, the patients do not get any confirmation from the nurses that their requests are noted and will be handled.

Within existing health sector systems, which are very cost consuming solutions, this issue is not handled in a sufficient way. Now, Norwegian hospitals are implementing cellphone-based solutions for future use, but these systems do not handle the described communication

The problem

We are now developing an advanced and secure tech platform with tools that enable the two parties to achieve a closer connection and target their needs more efficiently. (Slide 05 - See full version)

The solution

THE SOLUTION

With a human relation and psychological perspective in mind, we see obvious opportunities in a closer connection between Helpers and Helpees. These are opportunities with reduced cost benefits in terms of efficiency, while building strong goodwill values in terms of trust and loyalty in the relationship between the parties. These opportunities are suitable both within health care, and also within several other sectors in our societies. These sectors include different types of hospitals (including field hospitals), hotels and other accommodations, rentals (cars, kayaks etc.) and other providers within the service sector.

We are now developing an advanced and secure tech platform with tools that enable the two parties to achieve a closer connection and target their needs more efficiently:

Saving 50-30% time and being able to better understand and prepare for the help needed. (Slide 07 - See full version)

The Helpers' app:

We provide the Helpers with an app that connects directly with their Helpees.

Via this direct connection the Helper will be given a better chance to understand the Helpees needs in a simple and immediate manner. In an instant, the nurse receives a “ping” with a question, request for help or an emergency. The fact that the Helpers get a good hint about the level of urgency in advance, enables the Helper to prepare their response in a more qualified manner.

In a hotel, the right Helper gets the request from the Helpee directly, without any time- and cost-consuming intermediaries.

The Helpees' app:

We provide the Helpees with an app that connects them directly with the Helpers.

Via this direct connection they have a better chance to send information about their needs in a simple and immediate manner. In an instant, the patient sends a “ping” with a question, request for help or an emergency. The kayak client also sends a “ping” with a request for similar categories of reasons. The fact that the Helpees can choose their level of urgency in advance, and specify the reason, enables the Helpees to better understand what kind of response they can expect. The Helpee also gets feedback from the Helper that confirms that their request is noted and will be handled.

Saving 50-30% time and being able to better understand and prepare for the help needed.

System administration:

Within the Helper app, there is a super-user function that enables system administrators to set up organization and internal structure.

If the organization needs to connect to other systems, we provide an API for other system vendors to use. In this way, the Ping4Help system may be integrated with other software solutions in a similar way that e.g. the Norwegian BankID solution is used by different system providers.

TECH PLATFORM

The system consists of two separate apps, one for the Helper and one for the Helpee. The Helper app also includes administrator functionality (super-user).

We use Microsoft Azure as a cloud platform. As clients we use web, iOS and Android.

Tech platform

WHAT WE BRING

After our first year we have:

An original idea that solves a major problem with an easy solution
Four experienced entrepreneurs willing to focus on the project and business
A Norwegian private limited company, owning all right to the product
One year of idea and concept development and implementation, using several hundred hours each in the process
The solution is developed up to a beta version level, which is available for testing
Early-stage functionality testing is carried out
An advanced technical platform with two “sister apps”, including system administration
A secure platform, designed for interconnections as well as open connections to external systems
A registered name and trademark (Ping4Help) in Norway, as well as a pending trademark application in the EU
Registered top domains and major social media accounts (@ping4help)
One Swedish client within the hotel sector, using the solution through a test license
Dialogue with the Norwegian health sector regarding future possibilities
Advisors with top-level management experience from the Norwegian health sector.
Marketing material

What we bring

OUR NEEDS AND GOALS

We are primarily searching for financial start-up funding, in order to cover our product development and product rollout during two years (2022 and 2023).  This includes further development and design of the two sister apps, testing, marketing and sales, brand development, project management, administrative support and overheads as well as preparation for a product roll-out.

Within the end of 2023, our goal is to have a thoroughly tested basic version of the product, clients within the hotel and health sectors, a prospect list for further roll-out, an established brand, a plan for future development and sales as well as resources dedicated to the company.

Needs and goals

MARKET POTENTIAL

There are two separate KPIs that may be used in order to evaluate the market potential for the product, based on either the number of Helpers or the number of Helpees.

Our first market targets are the sectors Health Care and Hotels/Accommodation.

Statistics:

HEALTH CARE:

One way to identify the Helpees is to use the Statistics from SSB (Statistics Norway), which states that the number of patients in Norwegian public hospitals during the year 2020 was 1,9 million. 490.000 overnight stays in the hospitals were registered.
If the nurses are identified as Helpers, SSB states that the average number of nurses working in public Norwegian hospitals during 2020 was 43.100.
We assume that this number also is representative for the other Nordic countries, taking the population of each country into consideration. This means that the number of nurses (Helpers) working in Nordic hospitals is about 200.000 and the number of patients (Helpees) is about 2.5 million.

HOTELS AND ACCOMMODATION:

According to the annual market report for 2019 from the organization Norsk Hotellbransje, the number of guest nights in Norwegian Hotels were 25 million in 2019. The number of guests (Helpees) were 16,6 million.
According to NHO Reiseliv (The Norwegian Hospitality Association) , the number of employees (Helpers) in Norwegian hotels was 23.000 in 2019.

Estimated market share:

HEALTH CARE:

Our estimate, based on market research, is that in 5 years after product launch, 10 % of all patients (49.000) in Norwegian Public Hospitals will be using Ping4Help. Further, 5 % (122.500) of all patients in the rest of the Nordic countries will also be using Ping4Help.
Furthermore, our estimate is that in 10 years, 30 % of all patients (147.000) in Norwegian Public Hospitals and 20 % (490.000) of all patients in the rest of the Nordic countries will be using Ping4Help.

HOTELS AND ACCOMMODATION:

Regarding the hotel sector, we estimate that in 2 years after product launch, 15 % of all hotel guests in the Nordic countries (12.3 million) will be using Ping4Help. We will target hotel chains that are represented in several Nordic countries (as well as independent hotels).
Furthermore, our estimate is that in 7 years, 40 % of all hotel guests in the Nordic countries (33.0 million) will be using Ping4Help.

(Slide 13-14 - See full version)

Estimated revenue:

We have decided that we need more market information in order to define a revenue model for Ping4Help.

However, the statistics above clearly indicate that the revenue potential is substantial, even if the price per user is at a low level.

We need to test a model based on revenue from ads, as well as a model based on license fees. Another alternative may also be that we receive remuneration from a third party vendor that integrates Ping4Help as a module in their software (ref the solution used for BankID i Norway). The models we decide to use for the health care and the hotel and accommodation sectors may also differ.

Market potential

BUSINESS PLAN BUDGET

According to our business plan budget, the annual funding needs are as follows:

2022 (Q3-Q4): 3,33 MNOK
2023: 4,33 MNOK
2024: 4,33 MNOK

This sums up to a total funding need of 12 MNOK during a three year development and product roll-out phase. In 2025, the company will have a turnover which is sufficient for funding further business development as well as generating a profit.

The funding will mainly be used for product development, testing, marketing, sales and further productification.

Plan and budget

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY

As shown above, Ping4Help is a product with a substantial market potential. An investor will through a private placement have the possibility to acquire a part of the company at an early stage, and thus have the possibility of a substantial return of investment within a limited time frame.

Investment

The founders

THE FOUNDERS

KERSTIN AABAKKEN – Chairman

Kerstin has approximately 35 years of management experience in ICT (the health sector, system development and the tourism industry). Employed by Sykehuspartner HF since 2008.

Success stories:

Department manager at Sykehuspartner HF, providing service for the public Norwegian health sector.
General manager at OMX (now a part of NASDAQ), working with software development for energy market participants.
CEO for the software consultant company OpenInfo, specializing in GUIs. The company merged with Stockholm Stock Exchange listed company KnowIT.
Head of Apple Village 2 year project in the ski resort Åre in Sweden, where 100 small businesses were introduced to the use of MacIntosh computers for business purposes.
Marketing the Storsjøen area in northern Sweden as a tourist destination.

DAG ARILD HANSEN – Business Development

Dag Arild has 15 years of project management and sales support from ICT and 15 years of business development and management within the renewable energy sector.

Success stories:

CEO of HybridTech Renewables AS, including business development of Buheii Wind Farm (covering annual electricity needs of 12.000 households) and Vardafjellet Wind Farm (covering annual electricity needs of 3.500 households).
Business development manager at OMX, handling corporate agreements with vendors and customers, as well as establishing new business areas and providing sales support.
Project manager at OMX (now a part of NASDAQ), handling software development and delivery projects towards Sydkraft AB (now E.On), Statkraft SF and Trondheim Energiverk AS (now Trønderenergi AS)
Project Engineer at Simrad, developing tactical systems for the Norwegian Navy.

STEIN-ARE AGLEDAL – Business Development Hospitals

Stein-Are Agledal has for the last 30 years, collected valuable experiences in top management positions within the Norwegian Hospital sector, recognized for his compassionate and innovative management style.

Success stories:

Clinic President, Kongsberg Hospital, Vestre Viken HF in Norway, 2016-2022.
Client President, Sykehuspartner (Hospital Partner HF), 2013-2016.
President, Helse Sør-Øst RHF (Regional Health Organization, South-East) and Chairman of the board in four health companies, 2010-2013.
CEO Aker University Hospital, 2008-2009.
CEO Psykiatrien i Vestfold (Center for Psychotherapy and Psychosocial Rehabilitation), 2000-2008.

PATRIK CARLANDER – Software Developer

Patrik is a senior solution architect and has 30 years experience within system development. In recent years, customers have largely been start-ups with technical solutions based on state-of-the-art technology.

Success stories:

Software consultant for the Symbio AB, including system architect consulting for Handelsbanken, ABB, Ericsson Broadcast & Media etc.
System development within OpenInfo AB and later on KnowIT AB, as system engineering consultant for Swedish Television, Swedish Armed Forces etc.

BJORN BERTOFT – Communication

Bjorn has for 30 years been internationally recognized for his expertise in market communication and concept development in commercial projects, non-profits and assignments connected to Agenda 2030.

Success stories:

Communication Director for scientific sailing program in cooperation with University of Trondheim and Gothenburg, endorsed by UN Ocean Decade Program 2021-2030.
Communication Director and writer of educational programs for the Non-Violence Project Foundation and Professor Arne Ljungqvist Anti-Doping Foundation.
Founding and performing climate sailing statement expeditions “100% Sun Wind Water” 2018-2022. Endorsed by UN Clean Seas. Ambassadorship for Estonia & Latvia.
Global brand manager for the Chinese artist Wei Wei, one of China’s most popular pop singers. Including partner exchange and participation at the Summer Olympics in Bejing 2008, FIFA Womens World Cup 2007 and World Expo 2010.
CEO and owner of advertising agency Bertoft & Co, clients including Arla Foods, Länsförsäkringar, Elekta Instruments, Alfa Laval. The agency merged with Stockholm Stock Exchange listed company KnowIT.

TO SLIDES AND VIDEO >>