Hapai Transfer Systems

In Founder Focus we introduce entrepreneurs and change-makers working on innovative startups, social enterprises and SME’s around Aotearoa New Zealand.

At a glance

Founders: Prof. Keith Alexander (Founder and Director), Richard Shepherd (CEO), Dr. Alex O’Keefe (CTO)

Business: Hapai Transfer Systems

Founded: 2018

HQ: Canterbury

Can you tell us a bit about your business?

Ageing and disability populations are increasing worldwide, as is the desire to keep people within their own homes as long as possible, reducing pressure on the health system. HT Systems uses clever engineering to solve mobility problems and enable people living with disabilities to live a better life.

HT Systems designs and manufactures a new type of patient hoist, the award winning, Kera sit2sit hoist, empowers people living with disabilities to transfer between seats easily, safely, and effortlessly, with the assistance of only a single caregiver.

The Kera reduces the time, energy and cost to support a person with severe mobility disability, which takes significant pressure off the health system:

Reduction in the number of caregivers from 2+ to one.
Reduction in time and energy for transfers (i.e. 20min per toilet routine reduced to 4 min)
Enabling a person to stay in their own home, rather than go into care.
Reduction in injuries to caregivers and users
Improvement in mental health and wellbeing for all

The Kera is sold through distributors in Australia, NZ, the UK, and sold direct into the US and Europe.

We believe HT Systems is strategically positioned to tap into the rapidly growing $2.5b patient lifting equipment market.

We have a pipeline of new products, which continue our legacy for solving big problems in this sector and helps the company move closer towards our goal of being a global multi-product assistive technology business.

What’s the backstory for your business idea?

This journey began with a request from the chief surgeon at Christchurch’s Burwood Hospital, who saw that nurses were getting injured lifting their patients and approached the University of Canterbury for solutions.

With this insight, Professor Keith Alexander (inventor of the Springfree Trampoline) worked with students on developing a series of prototypes to efficiently move people between seats.

HT Systems was established in early 2018 to commercialise Keith’s lifter concept. The HT Systems’ team began engaging in detailed conversations with people living with disabilities, their families and health professionals. The first Kera sit2sit was sold in July 2019.

After cutting our teeth in the New Zealand market, HT Systems has expanded into Australia and the UK, through our relationship with a large Australian distributor and most recently through direct sales into the US and Europe.

What programmes, learning or mentoring, or resources have been of assistance so far?

We are blessed to have a strong Board with their own strengths across Governance, Engineering, IP and product commercialisation.
We use key advisors on a contract basis to supplement the team and have taken advantage of some programs run by RBP, Callaghan, UC (Xstart) and were Category winners in the first HealthTech Supernode challenge.
Our major investor, Dennis Chapman (Swichtec and Enatel) provides advice and experience in scaling an international hardware business.
This funding round we are targeting smart capital and specifically investors with international product growth experience (preferably in Healthcare).
I (Richard) have enjoyed Ben Horowitz’ “The Hard Thing about Hard Things” but listening to his story in hindsight seems like a fairy story for a little NZ startup.