Motherhood is a journey filled with joy, challenges, and countless questions—yet access to reliable maternal health information remains a struggle for many women. That is where Hayah Cradle to Bloom comes in. Founded by Jael Walukwe, this AI-powered health-tech startup is on a mission to make maternal care more accessible, informed, and empowering.
As part of the Women in Tech Incubator Program at @iBizAfrica, Hayah Cradle to Bloom is leveraging technology to reshape maternal health in Kenya. We sat down with Jael to explore the inspiration behind the startup, their journey in the program, and what is next for them.
Tell us more about your company and what inspired you to start it.
Hayah Cradle to Bloom is a Fem Health Tech company focused on educating women and their support system on having a safe and enjoyable maternal experience. The idea was born out of conversations with women who expressed the need for accessible, reliable, and medically verified maternal health information beyond what their doctors provided.
What prompted you to join the Women in Tech program, and what key lessons have you learned from it?
The statement “Because she can” resonated deeply with us. Women in Tech aligns with our mission to empower women in maternal and infant health. The program has provided us with invaluable opportunities for growth, mentorship, and the foundation to build a sustainable business that positively impacts maternal health.
What technologies are you using to build your platform?
We are leveraging two key solutions: in-person maternal health workshops and our upcoming AI-enabled maternal tracking application. Our goal is to use technology to expand our reach and make maternal health education more accessible.
How do you view competition in this space, and what makes you unique?
Rather than seeing others as competition, we consider them potential collaborators. Kenya’s maternal mortality rate remains high at 342 deaths per 100,000 live births, highlighting the urgent need for collective efforts. Our focus is on working together to save lives rather than competing, as collaboration is key to making a real impact in maternal health.
Cohort 6 of the Women in Tech focused on ESG-driven entrepreneurship. Do you think Kenya and Africa are ready for such innovations?
Absolutely. Africa is already prioritizing solutions that address societal and environmental challenges. Innovations like Hayah Cradle to Bloom contribute to youth employment, improved healthcare access, and sustainable business practices. Africa’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem provides the perfect environment for such impactful innovations.
What role do tech hubs and accelerators play in supporting early-stage startups in Africa?
Tech hubs and accelerators provide critical resources, mentorship, and networks essential for growth. Through the Women in Tech program, we refined key business skills that have set us on a sustainable path. Their support has been instrumental in shaping our long-term vision.
Women entrepreneurs face unique challenges compared to their male counterparts. What are some of the challenges you’ve encountered?
Access to funding remains a significant barrier. According to Forbes, only 2.3% of venture capital funding goes to women-led businesses, compared to 97.7% for male-led businesses. This disparity highlights the systemic challenges women entrepreneurs face. However, programs like Women in Tech are helping bridge this gap by providing funding and support for female founders.
What motivates you every day to continue this work?
Knowing that mothers and families could experience preventable trauma due to a lack of proper information drives us. We aim to bridge this gap and ensure maternal health education is accessible so women can make informed decisions and have positive maternal experiences.
What are your expansion plans?
We plan to continue running and improving our workshops while launching our AI-enabled maternal tracking application. By gathering feedback from our users, we aim to refine our offerings and expand our impact.
What advice would you give to women who want to venture into entrepreneurship?
The phrase “Because she can” sums it up perfectly. If you have a dream, take that leap of faith. There’s plenty of room for collaboration in the entrepreneurial space, and by supporting one another, we can create a thriving ecosystem of women-led businesses.
At @iBizAfrica, we take pride in supporting startups like Hayah Cradle to Bloom, whose dedication to maternal health is changing lives. Through the Women in Tech Incubator Program—a partnership with Standard Chartered Bank and Strathmore University—we continue to empower women entrepreneurs with the tools, mentorship, and funding to turn bold ideas into sustainable solutions.
This Women’s Month, we celebrate the visionaries breaking barriers and reshaping industries across Africa. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from our incubatees who are driving change, one innovation at a time.
Credit: Portions of this article were originally published by TechMoran and adapted for the @iBizAfrica platform.