DigitalHealth.London Spotlight: Shahnawaz Asif Raja

Every week, we shine a spotlight on one of our DigitalHealth.London companies, founders, or NHS fellows. Today, we are excited to feature Shahnawaz Asif Raja, who is currently participating in the DigitalHealth.London Leap programme.

What was your motivation for founding your own company?

My motivation for founding Biospiel stems from a lifelong aspiration to contribute to societal
betterment through technology. Having grown up in Pakistan and pursued education across multiple
countries, including Germany and Switzerland, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of
innovation. This, coupled with my desire to address the lack of transparency and recognition for medical professionals’ decision-making in clinical practice, inspired me to establish Biospiel.

What challenges have you faced as a Founder who is underrepresented in the digital health space?

I have faced challenges related to visibility, credibility, and access to resources. Overcoming biases and stereotypes in the industry has been a persistent hurdle. Additionally, navigating regulatory frameworks and building trust among stakeholders has required extra effort. However, I have been determined to surmount these obstacles through resilience, collaboration, and strategic partnerships.

What is the problem you are trying to solve?

Biospiel addresses the lack of transparency and recognition of the countless decisions made by medical
professionals in clinical practice. By allocating a cryptocurrency coin to each decision made in clinical
practice, Biospiel incentivises participation and facilitates collaboration among medical professionals,
students, and researchers. Our platform harnesses the power of Web 3.0 technology to create a global
network for medical collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

What successes have you had so far from successful pilots/trials/contracts?

We have successfully launched Module 2 of our web app and established Biospiel as a registered trademark in the United Kingdom. Through the DigitalHealth.London Leap programme, we have also expanded our networks for potential partnerships and collaboration. These milestones validate our vision and demonstrate the potential impact of Biospiel in the digital health landscape.

What are your future goals? What does success look like for you as a Founder?

We aim to launch Biospiel worldwide, transcending geographical boundaries and becoming a global leader in Web 3.0 medical collaboration. Personally, success also entails establishing Biospiel as the go-to platform for medical professionals worldwide, facilitating seamless collaboration and knowledge exchange.

How has your time on the DigitalHealth.London Leap programme helped you in achieving these?

Participating in the Leap programme has been instrumental in accelerating Biospiel’s growth and impact. The tailored support, mentorship, and networking opportunities provided by DigitalHealth.London has helped us navigate the complexities of the digital health ecosystem and forge strategic partnerships, such as those with NHS stakeholders. We have gained invaluable insights and resources that have propelled us closer to achieving our goals.

Do you have any advice for aspiring digital health Founders?

Remain resilient, adaptable, and persistent in pursuing your vision. Embrace diversity and inclusivity in your team and partnerships, as different perspectives lead to innovation and success. Leverage support networks like DigitalHealth.London and seek mentorship from experienced industry professionals. Most importantly, stay true to your mission of making a positive impact on healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

Find out more about Shahnawaz Asif Raja and Biospiel in our Innovation Directory.

Shahnawaz Asif Raja is currently participating in the DigitalHealth.London Leap programme.

The DigitalHealth.London Leap programme is funded by the UK Government via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). It is delivered by the Health Innovation Network (HIN) South London in partnership with the Office of Life Sciences, CW+, Medicity, NHS England, the Mayor of London and the Levelling Up Fund.

For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-
shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus.