WHILE WORKING at Hospital Provincial de Rosario in Argentina, Jamaican Eugenie Addison witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of air pollution on public health. The deadly effects of airborne diseases became painfully personal when she lost both her father and aunt to chronic respiratory illnesses and COVID-19. Fuelled by professional insight and personal grief, Addison made it her mission to reduce fatalities and hospitalisations caused by toxic gases and airborne pathogens.
That mission led to the creation of Senzi.Me, a pioneering startup harnessing proprietary technology to tackle air quality challenges head-on. Having recently completed the Catalyst Accelerator programme offered by Novamed’s subsidiary, Catalyst, which is sponsored by the Inter-American Development Bank and the Development Bank of Jamaica , Addison is confident that this experience will empower Senzi.Me to become a driving force in showcasing the life-saving potential of air quality innovation.
“The Catalyst Accelerator programme provided Senzi.Me with the critical resources and strategic guidance we needed to refine our business model and plan for scalable growth. It’s an excellent initiative for entrepreneurs who are either new to business or need support to take their ventures to the next level. This programme stands out as one of the few offering this kind of hands-on support, making it a unique and invaluable opportunity to learn, grow, and scale faster,” said Addison.
Senzi.Me, which started in 2019, is the only company in the industry to provide a patented, AI-powered indoor air quality monitoring system. Their system can detect specific pathogens, bacteria, and gases like Type A influenza, Legionella bacteria, and formaldehyde within minutes. Addison has secured patents in several countries and continues to increase her company’s footprint worldwide.
Dr Samantha Johnson, general manager at Catalyst, outlined the strategic guidance for Senzi.Me. “Senzi.Me’s global vision was at the heart of the strategic guidance provided through the Catalyst Accelerator programme. During her time in the programme, Addison gained invaluable insights from respected industry leaders, including Dr David Walcott, Rhodes Scholar and managing director of Novamed; Romario Sterling of Victoria Mutual Wealth Management; and representatives from Rock Health — a prominent healthcare venture capital firm supporting health-tech startups who has partnered with Novamed. The speaker lineup also featured Melvyn Lubega, a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and accomplished technology entrepreneur and investor best known for founding Go1 – one of the first South African unicorn.
The mentorship and hands-on experience gained through the Catalyst Accelerator were integral to Addison’s journey. This further steered her selection to exhibit and speak at the Arab World Health Expo 2025 in Dubai, where she hopes to tap into the United Arab Emirates market.
“Senzi.Me is more than just a health-tech innovation, it’s a company with a unique value proposition that made it an ideal fit for the Catalyst Accelerator programme,” explained Dr Johnson. “We’re proud to have supported Eugenie Addison with strategic guidance aligned with her vision. Her company’s growth and ability to now access global opportunities is a testament to the quality and impact of the experience each startup receives through our programme.”
Addison explains that more doors are opening for her company, including a successful raise of over J$40 million for her venture. Currently, she is participating in the Build in Tulsa Techstars Accelerator, a prestigious US-based programme supporting high-growth, scalable startups led by diverse founders. Tulsa has quickly become a hub for entrepreneurship, particularly for underrepresented innovators, offering world-class mentorship, access to funding, and robust business development support.
“I am currently in the Tulsa Techstar Accelerator USA programme. We are getting so much traction in such a short time, and there are opportunities for more investment and partnership in the USA with their wide, rich network, which can help us with necessary resources to scale across the USA’” she stated.
Addison emphasised the need for greater support for Caribbean health startups and highlighted the ongoing reliance on international markets to access critical resources and funding.
“Most Caribbean-founded startups in the health-tech space face significant challenges accessing the resources needed to scale their businesses. Many are forced to seek funding and support from international markets to achieve profitability. Jamaica is rich in talent and innovation, but there is a critical need for greater access to resources and investment networks. Bridging this gap will accelerate the growth of these startups and strengthen Jamaica’s innovation ecosystem. I strongly encourage more entrepreneurs in the health-tech space to consider the Catalyst Accelerator programme,” said Addison.
At the Arab World Expo, one of the largest healthcare exhibitions in the Middle East, Addison presented to a diverse audience. The event, which has a new identity, World Health Expo Dubai, is known for showcasing cutting-edge advancements in global healthcare. The expo attracted leading medical professionals, investors, and health-tech pioneers worldwide. It served as a platform to showcase innovative healthcare solutions, foster collaborations, and drive forward the future of medicine.
Senzi.Me’s participation in this global event gave the company unparalleled exposure to international markets, potential partnerships with healthcare providers, and opportunities to further refine its product for broader adoption.
Senzi.Me’s journey is a proud moment for the Catalyst Accelerator programme, which continues to champion innovation and entrepreneurship in the Caribbean and beyond. “By securing a place in Techstars and earning a spot at the Arab World Health Expo, Senzi.Me is not just putting its technology on the global stage, it’s also paving the way for more Caribbean-founded startups to break into international markets,” Dr Johnson cited.
For more information on the Catalyst Accelerator programme, visit their website at www.catalyst.inc or follow their social media pages on Instagram @catalystinnovation or LinkedIn at Catalyst Innovation Institute.
