Founder Spotlight: Joanna Bichsel, CEO of Kasha

E-Commerce Innovator

Joanna Bichsel, the CEO and co-founder of Kasha, is a tech entrepreneur with a background that uniquely positions her to drive the success of her company. Originally from Poland and raised in Canada, Bichsel’s journey into technology and social entrepreneurship was shaped by her education in computer science. She spent over a decade at Microsoft, where she gained technical and leadership experience.

Bichsel's career took a pivotal turn when she became Principal Technology Advisor for Global Development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Her focus was on using technology to optimize public health services, particularly for women in low-income countries across East Africa, West Africa, and South Asia. It was during this time that Bichsel became aware of the immense challenges women in these regions face in accessing basic health products.

Founding Kasha

In 2016, Bichsel co-founded Kasha with a vision to improve access to women’s health and personal care products in East Africa. Kasha is a digital platform providing women with confidential and convenient access to health products such as contraceptives, menstrual care items, and general wellness products, initially in Rwanda and Kenya.

The company aims to overcome the barriers that limit women’s access to these essential products, including cultural stigma, logistical hurdles, and a lack of affordable options.

The idea for Kasha came to Bichsel after witnessing firsthand the struggles women face in accessing healthcare products, particularly in rural areas. She wanted to create a solution that could bridge the gap between women’s needs and available services. The company’s model is based on a combination of e-commerce and mobile technology, which allows women to discreetly order products and have them delivered directly to their doors, bypassing the challenges of traditional retail.

Investment and Growth

Kasha quickly gained traction, attracting investment from various sources. The company’s mission to empower women and improve access to health products resonated with investors focused on both financial returns and social impact. The startup initially raised funding from several prominent investors, including USAID and the Gates Foundation. These investments have helped Kasha scale its operations and expand its product offerings.

Kasha has raised significant funding to scale its platform and expand its operations. In July 2023, the company closed a $21 million Series B round led by Knife Capital, a South African venture capital firm, with further participation from notable investors like Finnfund, Swedfund, DFC, and Mastercard Corporate.

The investment will enable Kasha to extend its reach across more African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa, while also developing new services like telemedicine and mobile health apps. This Series B round highlights the growing demand for accessible healthcare solutions, particularly for women, and positions Kasha as a key player in Africa’s healthtech sector.

Kasha's growth is also supported by strategic partnerships with international health organizations, which have helped the company provide a wider range of products to women across Kenya and Rwanda. These partnerships have enabled Kasha to expand its reach to rural and underserved populations, which may otherwise have limited access to women’s health products.

Challenges Faced by Kasha

Like many startups, Kasha has faced its share of challenges. One of the initial obstacles was building trust in the e-commerce platform, especially in regions where online shopping was still gaining traction. Additionally, regulatory hurdles in East Africa, especially around the sale and distribution of health-related products, posed significant challenges.

Another hurdle Bichsel and her team had to overcome was building a sustainable supply chain to ensure consistent access to products, particularly in rural areas where infrastructure can be unreliable. However, the company has addressed these issues by partnering with local distributors and building a robust logistics network that can handle deliveries across the region.

Successes and Milestones

Kasha’s successes speak for themselves. The company has had a measurable impact on the lives of women in Kenya and Rwanda. Through its platform, Kasha has enabled thousands of women to access health products that they might not have been able to get otherwise. Whether it’s contraceptives, sanitary products, or other personal care items, Kasha is breaking down the barriers that often prevent women from obtaining the products they need for their health and well-being.

The company’s user-friendly platform and delivery model have made a real difference for women, particularly those in remote and underserved areas. By leveraging technology and creating a scalable model, Kasha has been able to expand its reach quickly. The company now serves a growing customer base in Kenya and Rwanda, with plans to expand further across the African continent.

Advice and Reflections

As a successful entrepreneur, Bichsel often shares advice with aspiring founders, particularly women who are looking to break into the tech and social impact space. In various interviews, Bichsel has stressed the importance of staying true to one’s vision while being flexible enough to adapt to changing circumstances.

“Start with a problem you are passionate about solving,” she advises.

“Stay focused on solving that problem, and the rest will follow. You don’t need to have all the answers from the beginning; you need to have the right mindset and the ability to learn along the way.”

Bichsel also emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with a supportive team and building partnerships that can help drive growth. She credits much of Kasha’s success to the strong partnerships the company has cultivated, including those with international health organizations and local distribution networks.

Looking Forward

The future looks bright for Kasha. With its solid foundation and proven model, the company is well-positioned for continued growth. Bichsel’s ultimate goal is to continue scaling Kasha’s impact and expand the platform’s reach to other regions in Africa. The company’s success in Kenya and Rwanda demonstrates the potential for e-commerce solutions in addressing women’s health and wellness issues in Africa.

Kasha is also focusing on expanding its product offerings to meet the diverse health needs of women across the region. As the company scales, Bichsel is committed to maintaining Kasha’s mission of empowering women through access to health products and services that can improve their quality of life.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly women looking to make a social impact, Bichsel’s journey offers a valuable lesson: persistence, adaptability, and a focus on solving real-world problems are key to building a successful business.

Joanna Bichsel is founder and CEO of Kasha.