CyborgBase — a startup that provides people with disabilities with high-quality prosthetics

The founder of CyborgBase spoke about the idea of a startup and explained why you should not be afraid of difficulties.

Madi Zhakypov, Almaty, CEO and founder of CyborgBase, Instagram

How it all started

For more than 10 years now, I have been trying to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. In 2017, my wife's sister lost a leg due to illness, and we realized what a person goes through without a limb. This is a real challenge, and I decided to automate and simplify the process of obtaining prosthetics in Kazakhstan. This is how the idea of creating the CyborgBase platform was born — a place where a person can find a suitable prosthesis, a prosthetist, a clinic, and financing options. In the future, I plan to expand the platform by adding other advanced devices that enhance a person’s body and quality of life, helping them reintegrate into society and the economy.

People have always strived to be healthy and live long lives. Modern technologies and medicine are making such impressive breakthroughs that the cyborgization of humanity is becoming a reality. Amputees are likely to be the first cyborgs, as they integrate with prosthetics and begin to enhance their bodies, sometimes even surpassing able-bodied individuals. That is why I am already building a cyborg base. CyborgBase — upgrade your body with a click!

Team

I started with Customer Development by meeting with people in need of prosthetics to understand their challenges after losing a limb. I visited prosthetic centers and studied the prosthetics process in depth, working as an apprentice for one of the best prosthetists in Kazakhstan. I conducted many interviews and surveys before deciding to develop a marketplace with crowdfunding. I began assembling a development team through freelancing platforms and Telegram. Since I did not have a technical director, I had to figure everything out myself. I even took Java courses at nFactorial to properly develop the startup and underwent tracker training from Andrey Torbich and Artyom Azevich, earning my certification. All this was done for the growth of CyborgBase. However, some developers, knowing that I lacked programming expertise, took advantage of this, delaying development and siphoning off money. It was a tough but valuable experience that cost me a lot.

In 2023, I spent five months in Silicon Valley, conducting Customer Development and finding partners and support. The Howe Innovation Center added CyborgBase to the global map as the first disability-focused startup from Central Asia. I also participated and spoke at TechCrunch.

I assembled a team based on recommendations and recruited human resources specialists. Since the topic is complex and niche, many candidates dropped out within the first few months. I am constantly looking for new team members. I need bold, fearless individuals who do not give up at the first challenge — those who want to be part of a company making a global impact on the cyborgization of humanity. Cyberpunk and biohacking enthusiasts, reach out — let’s unite!

Target audience

At the initial stage, our clients are amputees, paralyzed individuals, and their family members. Through our platform, they can receive functioning prosthetics from the United States for free. We also offer a mouth-controlled interface — Mouth Pad — for individuals paralyzed from the neck down. This device allows users to control their computers and mobile phones using their tongues. With this palatal touchpad, a person gains independence from an assistant, enabling them to type, watch videos, order food, and much more. Currently, we have more than 80 users, three partners in the United States, and two prosthetic manufacturing plants in China and India. We are actively looking for a factory in China that can produce functional and affordable prosthetics for everyone.

The cost of a prosthetic leg ranges from $5000 to $100 000. Around 100 million people worldwide need prosthetics, but 95% of them cannot afford them due to the high costs. The global shortage of prosthetics is 80 000 units, and in Central Asia alone, there are only 114 prosthetics available per 200 000 amputees. In Kazakhstan, approximately 5600 people lose limbs each year. The leading causes of amputation include diabetes and vascular diseases, which account for 44%, mechanical injuries, which make up 54%, and oncology, which represents 2%. According to the World Health Organization, every 30 seconds, someone loses a limb, totaling 1 million amputations per year. The demand for prosthetics and orthopedic products is increasing annually by 5.7%, and by 2030, the market is expected to reach $13 billion. This is a global problem that requires a systematic solution. Due to the high cost of new prosthetics and components, the market for used prosthetics is actively growing, and we are focusing on this segment.

Incubation programs

I have completed accelerators at Astana Hub, Most Business Incubator, and AlmaU InnoBoost. During the IRA accelerator’s Pitch Competition, I won a ticket to the Select USA Investment Summit and will be returning to the United States in June.

Our goal is to partner with an insurance company and a prosthetic center. Currently, I am recruiting interns and seeking advisors in the United States to help establish connections with insurance companies and facilitate partnerships.

Challenges

I have faced many challenges, but I will share one example. I was among the first to apply for acceleration at StartX, even before Doszhan Zhusupov, the Chief Executive Officer of Cerebra, became its first resident. To apply, I needed two recommendations from Stanford graduates and one from a StartX graduate. Since there were no StartX graduates in Kazakhstan or Central Asia, I searched for them online. I sent messages to all StartX graduates on LinkedIn and startup communities on Telegram — over 600 messages in total. At the Central Asian Venture Forum, I met Denis Kalyshkin, managing partner of a venture fund. He was the only one who responded. Since he had Konstantin Bayandin — a StartX alumnus — in his portfolio, he requested a recommendation for me. However, I received no reply. Just 15 minutes before the application deadline, I suddenly received an email confirming my recommendation, and my application was accepted. I will never forget this challenge — it reminded me that communication is crucial and that one should never give up.

At the early stage, startup founders always make mistakes — it is part of the growth process. The key is to learn from them and not repeat them.

Mistakes that novice startups should avoid:

1. Giving away too much equity at the pre-seed stage. If the founder and Chief Executive Officer lose motivation due to low ownership, the startup will eventually fail.

2. Having more than five co-founders without clear responsibilities and Key Performance Indicators. Such startups often collapse.

3. Starting fundraising too early. Fundraising is a long-term game.

4. Over-perfecting a product instead of launching. A product should be released when it meets the minimum needs of customers, and improvements should be based on user feedback. Speed is essential.

5. Skipping real-world Customer Development. Do not invent problems  —  identify real customer pain points that people are willing to pay to solve.

The most important thing is to not be afraid of difficulties. If you enjoy problem-solving, then a startup is for you.

Progress

For me, the greatest achievement is when, thanks to CyborgBase, we reintegrate people into society and even save lives. Thirteen people have received prosthetics, and 55 more are waiting. We have received requests from Eurasian countries, and due to geopolitical events, the demand for used prosthetics is increasing. We also created a powerful social video, Stairs. Our goal is to remove the stigma surrounding people with disabilities.

Plans

We plan to collaborate with American insurance companies and expand the market for used prosthetics through cyborgbase.com. We are also creating a prosthetics database at x.cyborgbase.com. Our mission is to unite people seeking technological solutions to enhance their bodies and quality of life.