Entrepreneurship

⚠️Interactive diagram!

What?

Enzybiotic treatment for Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus uberis, and Escherichia coli that cause bovine mastitis.

How?

Biosynthesizing recombinant proteins within prokaryotic cells.

Why?

To reduce milk waste, mitigate the economic impact of mastitis, improve the quality of life of the dairy producers, and leave a positive impact on the environment.

We empathized Through our interviews and visits to small, medium and large milk producers, as well as our interactions with different government agencies and diverse stakeholders we learned how mastitis impacts society. We were able to completely put ourselves in the shoes of the people who are facing the problem. If you want to know more about our interviews, visits and stakeholders, go to our human practices section. with dairy cattle owners, defining Analyzing the information we gathered from our interviews, we identified several insights that played a major role in defining the next steps for AureoBos. Current solutions, such as antibiotics, are not only costly and unsustainable, but they also generate a resistance in cows and appear during the milk withdrawal period which translates in decreased milk production, increase of food waste and economic expenses, and potential environmental implications, such as contamination of soil and water, highlighting the inadequacies of these solutions. that current solutions for mastitis were inadequate and costly, ideating All of these let us ideate the best way of approaching the unmet needs: AureoBos. Thanks to our insights we were able to set our goal: create an antibiotic-free treatment that specialized in four of the most prevalent microorganisms - S. aureus, S. agalactiae, S. uberis, and E. coli - that cause bovine mastitis. To achieve this goal, we initiated a research process focusing on alginate-chitosan nanoparticles. Our decision was driven by extensive consultations with experts and our end users, as part of our human practices investigations. This led us to conclude that the most effective application method would be through an intramammary infusion. the way to solve it through our product. We were able to prototype In order to have our Minimum Viable Product and design the most realistic prototype, we researched and drafted the legal regulations and requirements we had to follow. Below you will find our legal plan, risk assessment and management plan, as well as the technical data sheet and the Minimum Viable Product we prototyped. AureoBos, and test Tests have been conducted in the lab, demonstrating that our product effectively targets the specific microorganisms associated with mastitis. In addition to this, it is worth mentioning that we have received at least 5 offers from small, medium, and large scale dairy producers whom we interviewed, to test our product on their infected cows. Through this test we will be able to visualize how our product makes a positive impact on the world and attract our first potential clients. it in the lab through rigorous experiments, proposing to implement Through the development of AureoBos and the proven lab-level functionality, we will implement the treatment with every small, medium and big milk producer we interacted with during our interviews and expand throughout it as an effective and sustainable solution to tackle mastitis in dairy cattle.

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Unmet Needs

Solution

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Development Plans

Skills, Capabilities & Stakeholders

Long-term Impacts

Solution

"You should already have your team in Silicon Valley, working on this. There are tremendous opportunities for projects that address global issues like yours”. - Adán Fernández, CEO Nebula

AureoBos is set to become a groundbreaking treatment that revolutionizes, completely, mastitis treatment. Through our integrated human practices, we learned that the best and wanted method of administration for our product is an intramammary infusion. This is because, as stated from several veterinary zootechnicians, intramammary infusions deliver the treatment directly into the affected udder quarters, ensuring the medication reaches the infection site precisely. It also allows for a high concentration of the treatment to be delivered into the infection site, becoming particularly important for combating bacterial infections effectively. Besides this, this method is something our users are already familiarized with, so it does not require complicated or highly specialized training.

Intramammary infusions can reduce the risk of unintended side effects on the cow’s overall health since the treatment remains localized within the udder. It gives a quicker response time and the possibility of treating and varying the levels of it depending on the quarter of the udder affected and the severity of its infection. Given these advantages, the intramammary infusion method aligns well with the goal of treating bovine mastitis effectively while considering factors like animal health, milk quality, and antibiotic resistance mitigation.

As shown below, we've meticulously outlined a mockup that serves as our Minimum Viable Product (MVP), precisely mirroring the strict regulatory framework of Mexico in the development and registration of veterinary products, as well as gathering the most important feedback form our different stakeholders.

To learn more about the technology behind, click below.

AureoBos' Technology

AureoBos takes a pioneering approach to mastitis treatment. Leveraging synthetic biology, we harness E. coli to produce specific proteins originating from bacteriophages. These proteins, known as endolysins, play a crucial role in bacteriophages' life cycle by infecting and exterminating bacteria. Through genetic modification, we enhance E. coli capacity to produce these endolysins.

Endolysins, once extracted from E. coli, serve as the cornerstone for our mastitis treatment in dairy cattle. These remarkable proteins target the cell walls of mastitis-causing bacteria. Upon binding, they create breaches in the cell wall, causing the bacteria to disintegrate and perish. Notably, endolysins remain effective even against antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, underscoring their potential as a groundbreaking solution. If you are interested in learning more about the technicalities of AureoBos, delve into the project description section.

AureoBos' Label

In accordance to the Official Mexican Standards (NOMs), which are the technical regulations that have to be followed in order for a product to sucessfuly reach the registration and commercialization stage, we followed the stipulated in the NOM-012-ZOO-1993.

Scalability

Scaling up a lab experiment offers significant potential for refining the production process before committing to larger-scale implementation.

To learn more about our process scaling-up, click below to download.

Taking it to the next level.

Inventiveness

While several treatments and solutions for bovine mastitis exist, AureoBos stands out for its innovative approach. Through our research and interactions with clients, we've identified a gap in the market - there isn't yet an affordable solution that utilizes synthetic biology and recombinant proteins to treat this infection. The numerous benefits of our product have generated considerable demand among those affected by this issue, underscoring the inventiveness that sets it apart.

Development Plans

We understand the problem we are addressing and have a clear vision of what we aim to achieve. Now, let's delve into the 'how' and explore the entire developmental process. In this section, you will find a comprehensive overview of the tools and development plans we have put in place to transform our project into a startup and take it through to the commercialization phase. It's worth noting that everything described here has been meticulously crafted and planned with the guidance and expertise of a diverse group of professionals in the field of entrepreneurship, ranging from experienced entrepreneurs to technical and business mentors from incubation programs, investors, and industry professionals.

SWOT Analysis: AureoBos

Business Model

Drafting a Business Model Canvas is crucial as it provides a structured framework to analyze, plan, and refine a startup's strategy. With AureoBos, we've used this powerful tool to clearly define how we create, deliver, and capture value in our innovative approach to tackling bovine mastitis.

To learn more about each step of our Business Model, click below.

Detailed Business Model

❤️Value Proposition: AureoBos offers a revolutionary recombinant protein intramammary infusion therapy, designed to empower dairy cattle owners. Our innovative solution minimizes economic losses caused by mastitis infections by eliminating the milk withdrawal period. Unlike conventional antibiotic treatments, our therapy allows dairy producers to effectively treat mastitis without the costly disposal of milk. This not only ensures healthier cattle and high-quality milk but also contributes to reducing food waste and environmental contamination.

AureoBos is not just a treatment; it's a sustainable and economically sound choice for the future of dairy farming.

🐄Customer Segments: Recalling that our end users are dairy cattle owners whose cows are affected by mastitis caused by one of the four microorganisms we are targeting, it's crucial to note that we have two distinct client segments. This distinction arises from the scale of production among our end users. Through interviews, we discovered that the way large-scale producers acquire their current treatments differs significantly from how medium and small-scale producers do.

As a result, we've identified these two segments. The first caters to large dairy producers who source their treatments directly from suppliers, while the second focuses on local pharmacies in the region where small and medium-scale producers typically find and purchase medications.

Recognizing the existence of these two different customer types enables us to plan realistically and strategically for how we can reach both effectively. It's also important to emphasize that while veterinary zootechnicians are not our ultimate customers, their recommendations to our clients and users hold significant weight in their decision-making process. Therefore, our marketing strategy to promote our product must consider them as a crucial part of the equation.

🚗Channels: In crafting our path to reach our Customer Segments and deliver our compelling Value Proposition, AureoBos recognizes the pivotal role of our stakeholders and the significance of personalized distribution. Our approach to reaching our market is multifaceted, designed to cater to the diverse needs and preferences of our customers.

First and foremost, we must underscore the profound influence of veterinary zootechnicians in our ecosystem. As previously highlighted, these professionals wield tremendous authority when it comes to treatment recommendations. They are our vital partners in educating and introducing AureoBos to the market. By engaging with them as an essential stakeholder, we aim to not only explain the science and efficacy behind AureoBos but also provide concrete evidence of its effectiveness. This engagement is fundamental, as veterinary zootechnicians often play a role in guiding treatment decisions through recommendations and hearsay among dairy cattle owners.

Secondly, our distribution strategy entails a physical channel wherein we, as the supplier, directly distribute AureoBos to our clients every time they place an order. This direct distribution approach is particularly significant for large dairy producers who acquire our product directly. However, it's important to note that this channel also extends to veterinary pharmacies, which are both our clients and channels. These pharmacies, while purchasing from us, act as intermediaries for smaller and medium-sized dairy producers.

In essence, our strategy combines personalized engagement and direct distribution to effectively reach both our large-scale dairy producers and the veterinary pharmacies that serve as conduits to the broader market. By recognizing the unique roles and influences of each stakeholder, we ensure that AureoBos permeates the market efficiently and successfully

👫Customer Relationships: At AureoBos, our approach to customers is a fundamental pillar of our growth strategy. We've meticulously devised a three-fold strategy that encompasses our efforts to Get, Keep, and Grow our valued clients.

Firstly, our 'Get' strategy is designed to initiate relationships with our customers. To accomplish this, we are actively engaging with local cattle farms in our region, fostering collaborations within the veterinary community to secure recommendations for AureoBos. Concurrently, we are establishing connections with local pharmacies to introduce and make AureoBos readily available to small and medium-sized producers. This multi-pronged approach ensures that our innovative solution is accessible to a diverse range of customers.

Secondly, our 'Keep' strategy revolves around maintaining strong, enduring relationships with our customers. We believe in the power of personalized engagement. We are committed to providing ongoing guidance and support to our customers, ensuring they fully comprehend the correct usage and benefits of AureoBos. Additionally, our relationship with veterinary pharmacies is of special significance. We plan to cultivate close partnerships, delivering exceptional care and attention to aid in the expansion of our sales efforts.

Lastly, our 'Grow' strategy is geared towards fostering organic growth by leveraging the influence of user referrals within our target regions. Recognizing that this guild places significant weight on recommendations and word-of-mouth, we are strategically encouraging existing users to refer new customers to AureoBos. This approach not only increases our customer base but also reaffirms the trust and confidence our clients have in our product.

Our three-pronged strategy aligns seamlessly with our commitment to providing effective mastitis treatment while cementing strong customer relationships. This holistic approach encompasses customer acquisition, retention, and growth, reflecting our dedication to success in the market.

💲Revenue Streams: At AureoBos, our revenue streams primarily derive from the direct sale of our innovative product. Extensive market analysis and a thorough evaluation of our competitors have led us to offer AureoBos in a convenient presentation format – boxes containing 20 syringes, each with a 10 mL capacity. This presentation is designed to cater to the immediate needs of our customers while providing flexibility for adjustments based on the response and preferences of our initial customer base. Our commitment to adaptability and customer-centricity allows us to fine-tune our product offerings to best serve the evolving demands of the marke.

❗Key Activities: There are several key activities that constitute the backbone of AureoBos' development:

Acquisition of Funding: Securing adequate funding is imperative to advance AureoBos through its various developmental stages, right up to the point of commercialization. This necessitates active participation in a range of funding opportunities and investor pitches to secure the necessary financial resources.

Technical Development of the Treatment: This encompasses a spectrum of essential experiments and tests aimed at validating the efficacy of AureoBos. These activities go from establishing the initial proof of concept to conducting the requisite tests for regulatory approval by the National Service of Health, Safety, and Agri-Food Quality.

Trademark and Company Registration: The process of registering AureoBos as a trademark and establishing our company's legal entity are foundational steps for its eventual commercialization. Further details can be found in the documents below.

Product Registration: In order to bring AureoBos to market, it is imperative to obtain regulatory approval from the National Service of Health, Safety, and Agri-Food Quality. To achieve this, we have meticulously outlined a step-by-step guide in our legal plan document.

Establishment of Contact with Dairy Farms in the Region: Building relationships with local dairy farms is crucial for creating a comprehensive client database, thereby ensuring targeted outreach and effective engagement.

Establishment of Contact with Pharmaceutical Laboratories: This activity backs up our exit strategy, as elaborated in the document below. It involves forging strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical laboratories to facilitate the commercialization of AureoBos through a Merge and Acquisition.

Upscaling Process: Scaling up production is really important to meet market demand effectively. This process ensures that we can consistently supply AureoBos to our target audience.

AureoBos Marketing: Following the successful registration of our product and the execution of upscaling, our marketing strategy for AureoBos comes into play. This strategy encompasses various facets, including raising awareness in society, establishing client engagement approaches, and implementing a robust distribution network.

⌛Key Resources: Identifying and visualizing key resources is a pivotal aspect of the successful execution of AureoBos. Through a comprehensive analysis, we've determined several key resources:

Knowledge: The collective knowledge of each team member, advisor, instructor, and external experts has been the bedrock of AureoBos' development. This wealth of knowledge, spanning scientific expertise, entrepreneurial insights, and domain-specific guidance, has been instrumental in shaping our product.

Facilities: Adequate laboratory facilities are indispensable for the research, development, and testing phases of AureoBos. These facilities provide the physical space and infrastructure required to carry out experiments, analyze results, and refine our product.

Suppliers: Establishing relationships with reliable suppliers of reagents and laboratory equipment is essential. These suppliers ensure a consistent and timely provision of the materials necessary for our research and development processes.

Client Partnerships: Collaboration with dairy farms willing to allow us to conduct tests on their cows afflicted with mastitis is invaluable. These partnerships provide real-world testing scenarios, facilitating the refinement and validation of AureoBos.

Funding: Securing funding through a variety of sources, including company grants and investments from open calls, is essential for sustaining the ongoing development of AureoBos. These financial resources enable us to progress through critical developmental phases.

University Support: Our university, including its robust entrepreneurial ecosystem, serves as a foundational resource. The institutional support and access to mentors, facilities, and networks within the university ecosystem are instrumental in accelerating our progress and achieving tangible results

Patent Registration: Given the advanced technology employed in the development of AureoBos, it is imperative that we secure our invention through the patenting registration with the relevant authority in Mexico. This step is of utmost importance as it serves to safeguard our intellectual property rights when we embark on the commercialization of our innovative treatment.

🕴️Key Partners: It is of utmost importance to recognize and highlight the pivotal role played by our key partners in the development and success of AureoBos. Foremost among them is the Orion Technology Park, an integral part of our university's entrepreneurship ecosystem. The Orion Technology Park has been, and will continue to be, a valuable ally in our startup journey. This partnership has afforded us unparalleled access to a network of entrepreneurs and experts in various fields, including intellectual property, finance, trademark registration, product registration, and more. Through this collaboration, we have had the privilege of participating in the esteemed pre-incubation program, Stella Orion, and have been exclusively invited to join the TechXcelerate program.

Equally significant are our regulatory partners, the Mexican Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the National Service of Health, Safety, and Agri-Food Quality. These governmental bodies are pivotal in guiding us through the necessary regulatory processes, ensuring that AureoBos complies with all relevant standards and requirements for its registration and commercialization.

Additionally, our dairy producer community, as well as industry and pharmaceutical companies, are key stakeholders in the development and commercialization of AureoBos. Their collaboration and support are integral to our mission of delivering an innovative and effective solution to the market. Together with these valued partners, we will make a meaningful impact on the dairy industry.

💰Cost: The cost structure of AureoBos encompasses several key elements that contribute to the development and production of our innovative product. To begin, we've allocated resources for extensive research and development activities, which encompassed conducting proof of concept studies and the necessary tests required for the proper registration of our product with the relevant regulatory authority in Mexico, the National Service of Health, Safety and Agri-Food Quality.

Furthermore, it's vital to underscore that our cost structure also accounts for the essential processes of upscaling production. This includes investments in scaling up our production capabilities to meet growing demand effectively. Within the production phase, costs are further categorized into fixed and variable components, each playing a pivotal role in determining our overall cost efficiency and operational effectiveness.

Exit Strategy

During the summer, Arely, the leader of the entrepreneurship team, had the opportunity to attend a week-long course in Silicon Valley, alongside prominent entrepreneurs and industry experts. In one of the sessions shared with Jonathan Nelson, the CEO of Hackers/Founders, he emphasized the importance of having an exit strategy when starting an entrepreneurial venture. He mentioned that having this strategy not only provides security for business growth but also makes the venture more attractive to investors.

Building on this insight, in addition to developing the business model for AureoBos, an exit strategy was considered. For this strategy to work, it's crucial to emphasize the significance of patent registration, a key component for protecting our invention and establishing a different business model: patent licensing. After obtaining the patent and in the scenario where production and manufacturing cannot be managed by us due to economic constraints, we will seek an exit strategy through a Merger & Acquisition with a veterinary laboratory company in Mexico.

This approach stemmed from our interview with José Oropeza, manager at MSD Animal Health, who suggested that if we intended to develop our project to the point of commercialization, an optimal way to achieve this is by partnering with a pharmaceutical veterinary company.

It's essential that the acquiring company has the necessary knowledge and machinery for our project's development. Therefore, we explored the legal aspects and the best approach to reach a fair agreement with any potential partner

Milestones & Next Steps

Highlighting AureoBos' milestones to date and laying out our future steps through a timeline is pivotal because it not only showcases our journey of progress but also serves as a roadmap for our stakeholders, guiding us towards our shared vision of revolutionizing mastitis treatment.

Explore the interactive timeline below to trace AureoBos' crucial development milestones and gain insights into our upcoming endeavors

Pitch at Magistral Conference of Daniel Íñiguez: Making possible the impossible.

We had the opportunity to pitch our project during the magistral conference by Daniel Íñiguez, a distinguished entrepreneur in Mexico and around the world. During this presentation, we began to introduce AureoBos to the community of entrepreneurs and started building valuable connections within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Pitch at the purpose-driven entrepreneurship week

During this presentation, we had the opportunity to engage with approximately 150 students from various disciplines at our university, introducing them to AureoBos and iGEM. We aimed to inspire them to venture into the field of synthetic biology, regardless of their studies, and motivate them to become part of the representative team.

Ilum’s Pitch Night

At Ilum’s Pitch Night, we had the opportunity to pitch in front of investors and experts in the field of entrepreneurship. We answered their questions and received valuable feedback regarding our business model, financial projections, and scalability strategy. Additionally, we established valuable connections with missing stakeholders.

Presence and validation at DIGAL 2023

The International Dairy Farmer's Day is celebrated in Delicias, a city in Chihuahua, through an event that brings together the key players in the dairy industry, from producers to pharmaceutical laboratories and dairy companies. During DIGAL, we had the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the industry, gaining first hand insights into our competition, potential customers, and validating our product through small encounters with the attendees.

Pitch with our institution's Board of Directors

We had the opportunity to pitch in front of the board of directors of our institution. This board is composed of the most influential entrepreneurs in our state. During this presentation, we received feedback on our project and the impact that we, as students, are making on the institution through our participation in the iGEM competition.

UP Innovation Awards 2023

The UP Innovation Awards by Universidad Panamericana celebrate innovation's potential to transcend boundaries and improve human well-being. Supported by industry leaders, these awards recognize and promote novel products and services, encouraging participation from entrepreneurs and researchers, around the world, in eight thematic areas. AureoBos has achieved a significant milestone by advancing as a finalist in the Health and Biotechnology category under the Validated Idea section. We achieved first place in our category, receiving valuable feedback, contacts, and a financial grant of $5,600 USD to support the development of our project, along with $10,000 USD in Amazon Web Services credits.

Financial projection

In order to delve into AureoBos' financial projections and understand why they are pivotal for our growth and sustainability, check out our section 6 on our business plan, which you can find below on the Business Documents section.

Intellectual Property

To discover the intellectual property landscape of AureoBos and grasp its significance in safeguarding our innovation and market position, click below.

Learn more

Regarding intellectual property, we had the opportunity to hold a session with Felisia Sandoval, a member of our university's entrepreneurship ecosystem and technology transfer office at the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education. During this session, she provided valuable insights regarding the possibility of patenting AureoBos. In her evaluation, she emphasized the importance of reviewing the institution's policy, as our work is conducted within the university, and there could be a case of joint ownership that needs to be addressed before initiating the application process. Additionally, she recommended conducting a thorough search of patents registered on platforms such as WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization). It's important to note that although we haven't yet submitted the application to the patent office, following our session with this expert, we performed the patent search and outlined the subsequent steps and ideal timelines for submitting our patent to the competent authority in Mexico, which is the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (Instituto Mexicano de la Propiedad Industrial). Below, you can visualize the estimated timeline for this process.

Business Documents

Every startup requires a solid foundation for its scalable and secure growth. In pursuit of this, we have prepared a series of documents that will drive the development of AureoBos.

Business Plan

Pitch Deck

Risk Assesment

Legal Considerations

Last but certainly not least, it is crucial to meticulously address all regulatory and legal aspects to ensure the proper establishment, development, and commercialization of AureoBos. Below, you will find our legal plan and trademark assessment.

Legal Plan

Trademark Registration

Unmet Needs

Problem Statement

Mastitis is the major infectious disease problem in dairy cows. Based on a global dairy cow population of 271 million, it has been estimated that treating it costs the dairy industry around $19.7B–32B (USD) billion dollars per year.¹ These costs consist of several consequences that are triggered by this disease. ² A visual representation of these implications can be visualized in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Implications that integrate the cost of treating bovine mastitis.

Currently, mastitis is being treated by different types of antibiotics and natural solutions which are applied through systemic administration Route of administration of medication or other substance into the circulatory system so that the entire body is affected. or intramammary infusion.³ Delivery of an antibiotic into the mammary gland. However, through our integrated human practices, we have learned that even though these solutions exist, milk is still being discarded in large quantities due to the fact that milk with antibiotics’ residue can’t be consumed, impacting the growing amount of global food waste. Furthermore, the cost of treating mastitis is significantly high as stated before, and antibiotic resistance has become a real problem in tackling this challenge in a sustainable and safe way.

Delve into the following pop-ups in order to find more about our clients, end-users, their unmet needs and the existing solutions which back up AureoBos' opportunity to enter the market.

Dairy Producers

In order to draft the first potential customers for AureoBos, it is necessary to identify who is directly affected by the consequences of mastitis. As stated in the previous section, the implications that integrate the cost of treating bovine mastitis are directly charged to dairy producers. Through our human practices we learned that they are the ones who face head-on the disease, deciding which treatment they are going to use based on the recommendations done from - the next important character- the veterinary zootechnicians. Although dairy farmers have the power of decision making and purchasing, the reality is that most of the time they are driven by the recommendations, diagnosis and intervention of veterinary zootechnicians, even though they interact differently depending on the scale of their production.

To better understand these characteristics, check out the next figure.

Figure 2. Characteristics of Small, Medium and Large Scale Producers.

Understanding their pains and unmet needs

Although small, medium and large scale producers have different characteristics in the way of managing their farm, as well as how they treat mastitis and their relationship with veterinary zootechnicians, we learned through our interviews and visits that their pains and current needs are the same. Understanding the unmet needs they have is essential for the successful development and implementation of AureoBos.

Our integrated human practices helped us learn that dairy producers and cattle owners need a treatment that effectively addresses bovine mastitis, without using antibiotics so milk isn’t discarded and their production isn’t reduced due to the milk withdrawal period. This treatment needs to be backed up by the recognition of veterinary zootechnicians and scientific evidence that compares and indicates how AureoBos is better than any other conventional treatment. They also communicated that they require a treatment that is easy to administer and integrate into their existing routines, ensuring minimal disruption to their operations. They are asking for a product which doesn’t harm the cattle, compromise the milk quality, and pose risks to humans. Finally, the treatment needs to be accessible in terms of availability and affordability in the geographical and economic situation.

Having developed the above, you can find a visual representation of these needs through the following empathy map.

Figure 3. Empathy Map: Dairy Producers.

First Potential Customers

After recognizing the presence of small, medium, and large-scale producers, as well as understanding how mastitis affects them, it becomes evident that these individuals, whether under the guidance of a veterinary zootechnician or not, are our ultimate end-users. However, after engaging with them and also with global veterinary pharmaceutical companies like MSD Animal Health and Zoetis, we identified the existence of two distinct customer types.

With this we refer to a division between large-scale producers and small to medium-sized producers. Initially, AureoBos will be sold directly to large-scale producers, whereas to reach small and medium-sized ones, an intermediary is required. Thus, the veterinary pharmacies in these regions would also become our clients, serving as the bridge to connect with the smaller producers.

The following figure demonstrates how AureoBos interacts with its clients in both scenarios. Further detailed explanations of these business models will be covered in the Development Plans section.

Figure 4. AureoBos' Business Model.

Existing solutions

Through the visits and interviews done with our users, we identified the existing solutions that dairy cattle owners currently use. Having heard first-hand about the competition let us do a better analysis, which basically consists on the following benchmarking:

Figure 5. Benchmarking: Analyzing AureoBos' Competition.

The common factor among current treatments is that those falling under the antibiotic category leave residues in milk, requiring a withdrawal period of at least 3 days. This translates to wasted liters of milk and economic losses due to the discarded milk produced during those days. Moreover, the concerning issue of antibiotic resistance, stemming from their excessive use, adds to the complexity. Even the World Health Organization has underlined the impending risks associated with this and the urgent need to adopt alternative measures and treatments.⁴ Furthermore, homeopathic treatments like oregano prove ineffective against the disease and, akin to antibiotics, leave residues in milk.

Market Analysis: SOM, SAM & TAM

Analyzing the Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM), Serviceable Available Market (SAM), and Total Addressable Market (TAM)⁵ is crucial for understanding the market opportunity for AureoBos. These concepts are essential in market research and planning for AureoBos’ success.

Figure 6. TAM, SAM & SOM of AureoBos.

Through interactions with experts both within and outside our university's entrepreneurial ecosystem, the Orion Technology Park, we embarked on market research and analysis for AureoBos. Our primary goal was to validate the market's existence and its potential profitability. It's important to note that, based on reported statistics showing a 20%⁶ incidence of mastitis, we conducted the following steps to identify our market.

⚫SOM: This represents the market segment we can access in the short to medium term. Our initial focus was on determining the number of dairy cattle within our state. By obtaining this data from the Government of Mexico's Agricultural and Fishing Information Service⁷, we identified that there are approximately 62,759 dairy cows that become sick annually.
⚫SAM: To expand our market, we turned our attention to our entire country, Mexico. Using data once again from the Government of Mexico's Agricultural and Fishing Information Service, we determined that there are about 535,711 dairy cows that become sick annually in Mexico.
⚫TAM: Finally, aiming to scale our startup to the most extensive market, we considered the global population of dairy cows, which is approximately 271 million.⁸

This led us to identify a potential market of 54 million dairy cows that become sick annually worldwide. Furthermore, in alignment with data from Coherent Market Insights, the global bovine mastitis market was estimated to be valued at $1,423.5 million in 2022. Projections indicate that it is expected to reach $2,134.3 million by 2030, exhibiting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.2% during the forecast period from 2022 to 2030.⁹ Based on the above, we have identified a lucrative and high-potential market for AureoBos.

References

(1) Glasgow, U. of. Potential biomarkers of mastitis in dairy cattle milk identified. https://phys.org/news/2016-07-potential-biomarkers-mastitis-dairy-cattle.html (accessed 2023-09-09).
(2) Staff, B. T. B. How Much is Mastitis Costing Your Dairy Farm?. Behind the Bench. https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/behindthebench/how-much-is-mastitis-costing-your-dairy-farm/ (accessed 2023-09-10).
(3) Yang, W.-T.; Ke, C.-Y.; Wu, W.-T.; Lee, R.-P.; Tseng, Y.-H. Effective Treatment of Bovine Mastitis with Intramammary Infusion of Angelica Dahurica and Rheum Officinale Extracts. Evid.-Based Complement. Altern. Med. ECAM 2019, 2019, 7242705. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/7242705.
(4) The World Health Organization. Antibiotic resistance. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antibiotic-resistance (accessed 2023-09-10).
(5) Tam Sam Som: cómo calcular el tamaño de mercado. https://www.becas-santander.com/es/blog/tam-sam-som.html (accessed 2023-10-11).
(6) Tomanić, D.; Samardžija, M.; Kovačević, Z. Alternatives to Antimicrobial Treatment in Bovine Mastitis Therapy: A Review. Antibiotics 2023, 12 (4), 683. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12040683.
(7) Servicio de Información Agroalimentaria y Pesquera. Población ganadera. gob.mx. http://www.gob.mx/siap/documentos/poblacion-ganadera-136762 (accessed 2023-10-10).
(8) Zigo, F.; Farkašová, Z.; Rehan, I. F. M.; Sayed-Ahmed, A.; Zigo, F.; Farkašová, Z.; Rehan, I. F. M.; Sayed-Ahmed, A. Occurrence of Mastitis in Dairy Herds and the Detection of Virulence Factors in Staphylococci. In Staphylococcal Infections - Recent Advances and Perspectives; IntechOpen, 2022. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.108256.
(9) Bovine Mastitis Market Size, Trends and Forecast to 2030. https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/market-insight/bovine-mastitis-market-4947 (accessed 2023-10-11).

Skills, Capabilities & Stakeholders

Outlining the required skills, capabilities, and stakeholders is of prime importance for AureoBos’ success. Behind AureoBos is a team of students majoring in Biotechnology, Law, and Computer Technologies, where our unique differences and expertise, stemming from our diverse academic backgrounds and lifetime experiences, provide the foundation for the successful and integrated development of our startup, AureoBos. We are catalysts for change, a group of young individuals completely aware of the challenges our world faces. Our determination knows no bounds as we strive to make a difference in our society and we know that through synthetic biology, with AureoBos, our impact will extend beyond cost reduction and improved food safety; we will be revolutionizing mastitis treatment.

Supported by a diverse group of advisors and instructors, we have harnessed our collective potential to drive our project forward. Furthermore, our university, the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, has provided unwavering support throughout our journey. Renowned globally for its exceptional undergraduate entrepreneurship programs and ecosystems, it recently achieved the impressive ranking of fourth place in The Princeton Review's 2023 evaluation.¹
Our connection to the entrepreneurial ecosystem played a pivotal role in our journey. It facilitated crucial networking opportunities with both business and technical experts, allowing us to thoroughly validate our business idea. Their invaluable feedback has significantly fortified our proposal, making it more robust and promising.

After comprehensively outlining our primary stakeholders and their roles in the Integrated Human Practices section, we've taken the next strategic step. We've identified those stakeholders who are not just crucial but indispensable to the development of AureoBos as a startup. Here, we present a snapshot of these key stakeholders, their areas of expertise, affiliations, and the invaluable insights gained from our interactions with them.

Click on the images!

Felisia Sandoval

Feli Sandoval, a member of the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem and the Technology Transfer Office at our university, provided us with invaluable guidance on various aspects related to patenting our project. She helped us navigate the challenges and limitations involved in the patenting process and provided insights into the steps required for proper registration with the relevant authorities. Feli's expertise has been instrumental in ensuring the effective protection of our intellectual property.

Víctor Calzadillas

Víctor, as a member of Startup Chihuahua - an initiative driven by Chihuahua Futura to promote entrepreneurship, science, technology, and innovation strategies to strengthen regional competitiveness - played a pivotal role in facilitating our connections with various entrepreneurs. Through these connections, we were able to validate AureoBos by participating in several pitch events. Moreover, he significantly contributed to refining our business model and pitch.

José Oropeza

José Oropeza, National Key Account Manager at MSD Animal Health, one of the world's leading animal pharmaceutical companies, provided validation for our project, particularly in terms of commercialization. During our conversation, he not only explained the process of acquiring new external products at MSD but also suggested that we approach local pharmaceutical laboratories, as the process for acquiring new patents can be somewhat more challenging in multinational companies.

Ana Sofía Contreras

Ana Sofía, the leader of the Stella Orión technological pre-incubation program within the entrepreneurship ecosystem of the Orion Technology Park, played a pivotal role in facilitating our participation in the program. Her support has been instrumental in helping us create, validate, and strengthen our business model. Furthermore, she is also responsible for the TechXcelerate program, where she identified us as one of the top 10 projects at the national level to participate in the technological acceleration initiative.

Gabriela Mapes

DVM Gabriela Mapes, Dairy Cattle Technical Manager at Zoetis, the world's largest animal health company, played a pivotal role in guiding us on the optimal route to commercialize our product. Her expertise also proved invaluable in shaping our exit strategy, shedding light on the intricacies of patent acquisition within trasnational corporations. DVM Gabriela provided us with a valuable industry perspective, instrumental in refining our business model.

Julia Estrada

Julia Estrada, Manager of Sanitary Promotion within the State Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks, facilitated a session for us. She was joined by the heads of the Food Program, Zoonotic Diseases, and the General Director of the Commission. During this session, we had the opportunity to discuss and validate the significant impact of mastitis on society. Furthermore, we were directed to the relevant authorities for the correctly registration of AureoBos.

Alan Hernández

Alan, CEO of BioGrip and Co-founder of Diagtech, an entrepreneur and an expert in the field of entrepreneurship, provided invaluable guidance on defining our business model and refining our pitch execution. Collaborating with him, we made adjustments to our pitch to make it more impactful and appealing for our upcoming presentations, particularly the UP Innovation Awards 2023 final competition. His input allowed us to restructure elements such as the arrangement of our pitch deck, the information it should contain, and, most importantly, the best ways to address judges' questions, regardless of our product’s stage. His guidance played a pivotal role in our outstanding performance in the competition. This mentorship experience was essential in elevating our presentation and positioning us for success.

Adán Fernández

Adán, director of Nebula and a board member of Coin 4 Grow, served as a judge in the final round of the UP Innovation Awards 2023. During our presentation and pitch to the judges and the audience, his feedback was incredibly insightful for validating the potential and scalability of our project. He emphasized that the innovation and technology in our project were highly attractive, suggesting that companies like Rani Therapeutics would be interested, and he even mentioned that we should be in Silicon Valley developing our technology. Additionally, he offered support in connecting with the LALA industry in Torreón, Mexico, to initiate discussions about scalability. Furthermore, Adán highlighted the disruptive nature of our project. He acknowledged that by using synthetic biology to address this issue, we were breaking new ground in the field, as it differs from the typical "tech" solutions. He also pointed out the transformation happening within our iGEM team, where a majority of members are women. He commended our team's trailblazing spirit, which challenges stereotypes within the scientific, agricultural, and legal realms, and our confidence in the decisions we've made and the direction we're taking the project. These insights and connections made through the UP Innovation Awards are invaluable for advancing our project and achieving our goals.

Eduardo Medina

Eduardo, the CEO of Medinger, served as a judge during the UP Innovation Awards 2023. Following our pitch, he expressed his enthusiasm for our project and what we were aiming to achieve, as well as the way we communicated our ideas. He also noted that we had the next steps in the development of our startup very well defined and clear. Eduardo wished us great success and conveyed his desire to see AureoBos become a well-established company in the near-future. This encouragement and support from someone with expertise in the field are instrumental in motivating our team and propelling our project toward success.

Jacqueline Ayala

Jacqueline, the project manager at New Venture and a judge at the UP Innovation Awards 2023, expressed her admiration for our project. She emphasized that one of the most appealing aspects of the project was the care and well-being of the cows themselves. Jacqueline pointed out that, in addition to the discarded milk, the well-being and, in some cases, the lives of these animals were a significant concern in addressing this issue. This kind of feedback from an expert in the field underscores the value and importance of our project's mission. It also highlights how our innovative approach not only addresses economic losses but also contributes to animal welfare.

Emmanuel Millán

Emmanuel, the CEO of Xideral and a judge at the UP Innovation Awards 2023, expressed his excitement and keen interest in our project. He emphasized that, in addition to its significant impact on the industry, our project was closely related to legislation and government initiatives due to its focus on not just food safety but also antibiotic resistance, animal welfare, and environmental concerns. Based on his expertise, Emmanuel highlighted the viability of AureoBos in the market and its potential for substantial growth. Emmanuel's insights confirm the multifaceted benefits of AureoBos and its alignment with key societal and regulatory issues.

Abel Muñóz

Abel, a partner at Akya and a judge at the UP Innovation Awards 2023, congratulated us for the comprehensiveness of our project, from its conceptualization to the team and tasks at hand. He emphasized the astuteness of identifying veterinary zootechnicians as key players - serving as direct channels and influencers - in the introduction and distribution of AureoBos in the market. Abel mentioned that these kinds of insights were what differentiate a product's potential for success. Furthermore, he posed a question about our scalability and manufacturing process, showing particular interest in our response. This was due to our specific exit strategy, which involves licensing our patent in case production couldn't be handled in-house. Abel's feedback reinforces the strategic strengths of our project and underscores the importance of recognizing key influencers and planning for potential hurdles like scalability.

Jashia González

Jashia, in charge of the NOVA Orión incubation program at the Orion Technology Park, provided us with guidance to fine-tune our pitch and visual support. Through a presentation with her and our instructors, she offered recommendations to enhance our speech, the way we delivered it, and, most importantly, the message we aimed to convey, making it understandable in just a few minutes for any audience. Additionally, she provided tips for improving our entrepreneurship section within the wiki. This kind of mentorship is invaluable, as it helps us refine our communication skills and ensures that our message is clear and compelling.

Alberto Arvizu

Alberto Arvizu, Dean of the Business School at our university and an entrepreneurship expert, provided valuable feedback after our participation in the pitch night of Ilum Venture Capital. During this interaction, he emphasized the need to start with the cost structure, as well as the scalability and growth of AureoBos. From his perspective as an expert, he offered valuable insights into the typical questions that judges in various forums may ask regarding the business model, financial projections, and scalability. Receiving guidance from experienced individuals like Alberto Arvizu was crucial for refining our business strategy and ensuring we could address potential inquiries from investors, judges, and other stakeholders effectively.

Fernando Ledezma

Fernando, the director of the Center for Innovation and Technological Entrepreneurship at the Autonomous University of Chihuahua (UACH), provided valuable feedback following our participation in the pitch night at Ilum Venture Capital. In particular, he posed questions about our business model and how AureoBos differentiates itself from current solutions. He emphasized the importance of defining a clear scalability strategy. This input from Fernando was instrumental in refining our business model and ensuring that we could effectively communicate the unique value proposition and scalability plan for AureoBos.

Carlos Espino

Carlos, the coordinator of the Business Center at the Autonomous University of Chihuahua, provided feedback after our pitch at Ilum Venture Capital. He emphasized the importance of understanding our competition and, above all, establishing optimal connections. Furthermore, he connected us with the owner of Mediker, a veterinary pharmaceutical laboratory in Mexico, to help validate our project. This connection to Mediker was a valuable opportunity to gain insights and potentially collaborate within the industry.

Juan Carlos Flores

Juan Carlos Flores, Manager of the Livestock Unit at the Secretary of Rural Development in our state, welcomed us to a session where we had the opportunity to discuss our project and receive validation. During the conversation, he provided us with valuable recommendations regarding the commercialization of our product and the most effective ways to reach our customers. Additionally, he assisted us in connecting with farms interested in our project for future testing on their affected livestock.

Zoetis

Zoetis is the largest global animal health company committed to nurturing the world and humankind by advancing care for animals. We engaged with them through an interview with Gabriela Mapes, which main insights can be found on her picture above.

Ignixion

This company organized the summercourse in Silicon Valley, where we were able to engage with different entrepreneurs and experts that helped us prepare and acquire knowledge in order to draft out business model and structure for our startup.

Orion Technology Park

The Orion Technology Park, the entrepreneurship ecosystem at our university served as a guide in our project's development and growth process as both a project and a startup. Through sessions with experts and entrepreneurs, we received valuable feedback to enhance various aspects, including our pitch, business model, sales projections, validation, and more.

Startup México

Startup México, a leading organization in Mexico and Latin America founded by entrepreneur Marcus Dantus, served as a mentor and advisor through two intensive training sessions aimed at improving our pitch and strengthening our business model. Undoubtedly, their mentorship has allowed us to grow as a team.

Ilum Ventures

Ilum Ventures, a private equity firm, played a pivotal role in showcasing and validating our business model. We had the opportunity to pitch our project, AureoBos, during a pitch night event attended by local investors and entrepreneurs. Their feedback proved invaluable, enabling us to make enhancements and establish valuable connections to scale our startup effectively.

iGEM Startups

iGEM Startups organized a Summer School, which primarily entailed a 2-day workshop. During this workshop, we gained foundational knowledge in entrepreneurship, had the opportunity to engage with experts in intellectual property, pitching, and business models. Additionally, we connected with several other teams participating in iGEM to gain insights into their projects.

MSD Animal Health

One of the most important pharmaceutical veterinary companies in the world. We engaged with them through an interview with José Oropeza, which main insights can be found on his picture above.

Panamerican University

The Panamerican University played a pivotal role in our project as they were the official organizers of the UPIA 2023 competition, in which we were the winners in the validated idea category. This competition allowed us to demonstrate the feasibility and scalability of our project, as well as receive feedback from various experts and entrepreneurs to strengthen our business model through a live pitch presented in Mexico City.

References

(1) The Princeton Review. Top 50 Entrepreneurship: Ugrad | The Princeton Review. https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings?rankings=top-50-entrepreneurship-ugrad (accessed 2023-09-10).

Long-term Impacts

Visualizing the long-term positive and negative impacts of AureoBos is crucial because it allows informed decision-making, responsible product management, and the creation of a more resilient and successful market presence for AureoBos. To facilitate your understanding of these long-term impacts, we invite you to engage with the diagram below.

Click on the circles

1
Antibiotic Resistance:
🟩 Using AureoBos will impact on the imminent battle against antibiotic resistance, by reducing the usage in dairy cattle.
2
Animal Welfare::
🟩 AureoBos will enhance animal welfare and well-being by significantly reducing the incidence of mastitis cases.
3
Economic Savings:
🟩 The adoption of AureoBos will have a direct impact on the economic expenditures of dairy farmers by lowering treatment costs derived from existing solutions and boosting milk production.
4
Environmental Friendly:
🟩 AureoBos will directly impact the environment by potentially reducing the contamination associated with antibiotic residues.
5
Quality and Safety:
🟩 AureoBos will contribute to the enhancement of quality and safety of dairy products for consumers.
6
Production:
🟥 If biosafety standards are not followed during production, the use of microorganisms can cause harm to human health.

⭐We aim to counter this impact by taking biosafety courses and following good practices within the laboratory.
7
Emissions:
🟥 The production of AureoBos requires cold storage, leading to increased energy consumption and operational costs. Emissions can also be produced by the transportation and disposal of the product.

⭐We aim to counter this impact by using energy-efficient refrigeration systems and temperature control measures in cold storage facilities as well as exploring newable energy sources like solar energy to power the cold storage, reducing carbon emissions in the near future.