project summary
project summary
SYLVA is a smart dietary solution tailored to the physiological stages of women’s lives. Developed as part of the Financing New Ventures course at Pratt Institute, the app combines machine learning (VAE models), human-centered design, and culturally adaptive systems to address the long-ignored gap in women’s health and nutrition.
This project demonstrates the integration of:
Strategic business modeling
Tech-enabled innovation
Stakeholder-driven design
Sustainable value creation
SYLVA is a smart dietary solution tailored to the physiological stages of women’s lives. Developed as part of the Financing New Ventures course at Pratt Institute, the app combines machine learning (VAE models), human-centered design, and culturally adaptive systems to address the long-ignored gap in women’s health and nutrition.
This project demonstrates the integration of:
Strategic business modeling
Tech-enabled innovation
Stakeholder-driven design
Sustainable value creation
PROBLEM statement
PROBLEM statement
Despite the rise of digital health apps, most solutions are gender-neutral by default. They fail to address the 25% increase in poor health years for women compared to men (McKinsey, 2024).
From menstruation to menopause, women’s nutritional needs are dynamic, yet current tools remain static, often pushing supplements over personalized, food-based care.
We reframed this as a systems design challenge: How might we create a scalable solution that adapts to physiology, lifestyle, and culture—while building trust over time?
Despite the rise of digital health apps, most solutions are gender-neutral by default. They fail to address the 25% increase in poor health years for women compared to men (McKinsey, 2024).
From menstruation to menopause, women’s nutritional needs are dynamic, yet current tools remain static, often pushing supplements over personalized, food-based care.
How might we create a scalable solution that adapts to physiology, lifestyle, and culture—while building trust over time?
How might we create a scalable solution that adapts to physiology, lifestyle, and culture—while building trust over time?
SYLVA is positioned as a wellness companion, not just a tracker. Its key differentiators:
AI-driven personalization using Variational Autoencoders (VAEs) for contextual meal planning
Life-stage targeting: support for menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, and more
Real-time adaptive logic based on energy, stress, hormonal changes
Built-in shopping lists to reduce cognitive load and promote adherence
Ethical tech with privacy, consent, and representation as foundational pillars
SYLVA is positioned as a wellness companion, not just a tracker. Its key differentiators:
AI-driven personalization using Variational Autoencoders (VAEs) for contextual meal planning
Life-stage targeting: support for menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, and more
Real-time adaptive logic based on energy, stress, hormonal changes
Built-in shopping lists to reduce cognitive load and promote adherence
Ethical tech with privacy, consent, and representation as foundational pillars
business strategy
business strategy
We focused on building :
A freemium-to-subscription model, offering layered value from general wellness to precision nutrition
Affiliate revenue partnerships with health wearables and meal kit brands
A B2B wellness program structure targeting corporate HR for scalable distribution
Go-to-market strategy with micro/macro influencer campaigns, UAC ad funnels, and health-focused SEO
Each revenue stream was designed with long-term customer value, CAC-to-LTV ratio optimization, and scalability across geographies and income levels in mind.
We focused on building :
A freemium-to-subscription model, offering layered value from general wellness to precision nutrition
Affiliate revenue partnerships with health wearables and meal kit brands
A B2B wellness program structure targeting corporate HR for scalable distribution
Go-to-market strategy with micro/macro influencer campaigns, UAC ad funnels, and health-focused SEO
Each revenue stream was designed with long-term customer value, CAC-to-LTV ratio optimization, and scalability across geographies and income levels in mind.
Click the image below to check out the business proposal.
Click the image below to check out the business proposal.
results & reflections
results & reflections
The project received strong feedback for its clarity of value proposition, depth of market insight, and empathy-first execution.
Beyond academic success, it affirmed my belief that design—when paired with business rigor and systemic awareness—can build ventures that are both viable and vital.
The project received strong feedback for its clarity of value proposition, depth of market insight, and empathy-first execution.
Beyond academic success, it affirmed my belief that design—when paired with business rigor and systemic awareness—can build ventures that are both viable and vital.