Ep 175: "Prosthetics & Purpose; The Massive Market for Human Augmentation" with Francisco J Valencia

What if losing a limb didn’t mean losing your independence? How many prosthetic (artificial limb) patients do you think there are in the world? In this eye-opening episode from Morelia, Mexico, Rob sits down with Francisco Valencia, CEO of Prothesia, to uncover how cutting-edge technology—like AI-driven design plus inclusive innovation and some entrepreneurial thinking about an industry that’s not changed much in 6000 years—is transforming the world of prosthetics for patients and their families. From the historical roots to the global inequalities in access presently, this conversation reveals how a startup company is reshaping healthcare and empowering lives across borders, while tapping a global market worth billions. Whether you're into tech, health, or love good storytelling, this one will inspire you to think differently about what’s possible. Feel free to follow and engage with FRANCISCO here: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franciscov/?originalSubdomain=mx - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paco_/?hl=en - Instagram Business: https://www.instagram.com/prothesia3d/?hl=en - Website: https://www.prothesia.com/ We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide. As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests. ¡Cheers y gracias!, Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurial Thinkers 04:49 The Evolution of Prosthetics 07:53 Understanding Patient Experiences 10:36 The Global Prosthetics Market 13:32 Access Disparities in Prosthetics 16:20 Innovative Solutions for Accessibility 19:17 The Role of Community in Healthcare 22:24 The Vision Behind Prosthesia 24:57 Prosthesia's Business Model and Impact 28:01 Patient-Centric Care in Prosthetics 30:53 Financing and Accessibility Challenges 33:49 Future of Prosthetics and Community Support 36:56 Innovative Solutions for Prosthetic Access 38:03 Vision for the Future of Prosthetics 42:14 Scaling and Distribution in Prosthetic Care 44:26 Medical Tourism and Cross-Border Healthcare 46:02 Pioneering Pediatric Orthotics 54:46 The Future of AI in Prosthetics 01:00:34 Advice for Aspiring Health Tech Entrepreneurs