Cero

Cero addresses the critical issue of patient-hospital coordination in Latin America by automating communication via WhatsApp. The platform handles tasks such as appointment confirmations and last-minute cancellations, enabling patients to confirm or reschedule appointments without direct phone calls. A significant challenge in Latin America is the high rate of missed medical appointments, impacting everything from routine check-ups to essential scans. As developing countries strive to improve healthcare access, optimizing patient communication and coordination becomes paramount, particularly in regions where self-service tools are underutilized.

Bootstrapped and profitable, Cero reported $97,000 in monthly revenue from 15 clients as of August 2021, with a consistent monthly revenue growth rate of 20% over the past year. The company boasts a 100% client retention rate and expands alongside its clients. Currently, Cero coordinates over 600,000 medical appointments monthly, focusing primarily on the Chilean market.

The Latin American market presents a substantial $3.5 billion opportunity. With 650 million people averaging three medical consultations annually, Cero charges for each successful patient communication. The company envisions managing multiple coordination interactions per patient per consultation, encompassing scheduling, confirmation, booking, reimbursements, and payments.

The Cero team combines healthcare expertise with advanced technical skills. CEO Felipe, a former dentist, has spearheaded significant changes in Chilean healthcare payments. CTO Mauricio and R&D lead Jorge, both PhDs in Computer Science, developed BETO, a leading Spanish Language Neural Network widely used by Latin American scientists and practitioners. The initial concept arose from a weekend project where Mauricio and Jorge automated communication with summer school students, yielding impressive engagement. Recognizing the potential, Felipe applied the technology to address his patient coordination challenges, leading to the creation of Cero, which now manages over 600,000 patients monthly in Chile.