Changemaker Catalyst Award recipient, Ryan Reynolds continued to work on his startup, Renuva, which aims to help health professionals create research-backed social media content. The Catalyst Award helped Ryan move forward with his minimum viable product and build key connections in the health and dietetics community. Ryan just graduated from Tulane University, Class of 2023, majoring in Finance with a minor in Marketing and a specialization in Entrepreneurship. 

1.     As the Co-Founder of Renuva, my overarching goal was to tackle the pressing issue of inadequate health education and empower individuals with reliable and evidence-based information. My experience revolved around delving deep into the core challenges faced by health professionals and the general public when it came to accessing accurate health content on social media platforms. By understanding these challenges, I aimed to contribute to the creation of an innovative solution that would bridge the gap between health experts and their audiences.

Speaking about entrepreneurship in front of Tulane investors and administrators during the spring meeting for the Innovation Institute this spring.

2.     During this transformative journey, I had the privilege of collaborating with another Co-Founder, Talia Daneshrad, also a recent Tulane alum. Talia and I met in the Freeman School of Business Student Venture Accelerator Class, where our shared passion for addressing the challenges in health education ignited the spark that gave birth to Renuva. 

Together, we embarked on a mission to revolutionize health education by creating a platform that would empower health professionals to easily share their expertise on social media. Throughout this process, we have been dedicated to conducting extensive customer discovery and research to truly understand the barriers that prevent health professionals from leveraging social media effectively. We’ve engaged in countless conversations with health professionals, diving deep into their experiences and challenges. By listening to their perspectives, we have gained valuable insights into their needs and pain points. This approach has allowed us to identify the key features and functionalities that our Minimum Viable Product (MVP) must encompass, ensuring that it aligns seamlessly with the requirements of health professionals.

Taking a photo for the Innovation Institute before our pitch at Open MIC Night.

As a Co-Founder, my responsibilities extended beyond conventional job descriptions, as I embraced a hands-on approach to problem-solving. My experience involved building out our Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and prototype, conducting in-depth customer interviews, and organizing an extensive database of information. Additionally, I continue to explore the capability of AI models and technology to determine how we could leverage these advancements to enhance our platform’s capabilities.

Talia and I share a vision of fostering positive change in the health education landscape. Our collaboration has been founded on the principles of teamwork, trust, and determination. Together, we are committed to building a product that resonates with health professionals and users alike, bridging the gap between expertise and accessibility in health information dissemination.

3.     The Thrills of the Experience: Building Renuva’s MVP is an exciting endeavor that allows us to bring our innovative idea to life. Witnessing our platform slowly take shape as we put in more hard work, fueled by cutting-edge AI models and personalized social media marketing solutions, fills us with a sense of pride and motivation to keep pushing forward. Engaging with our customers, listening to their needs, and incorporating their feedback into the development process is incredibly gratifying. The knowledge that we are creating a tool that would empower health professionals to disseminate accurate and evidence-based information on social media inspires us every step of the way.

4.     Embracing Challenges: While our journey was exhilarating, it was not without its challenges. As a startup, we encounter obstacles that push us outside our comfort zone. Organizing and managing a vast database of information requires meticulous attention to detail and strategic planning. Additionally, understanding and applying various AI models demands continuous learning and adaptation. However, these challenges became valuable opportunities for growth, enabling us to develop resilience and creative problem-solving skills that are indispensable in the startup landscape.

5.     Most Significant Accomplishment: One of our most significant achievements on our entrepreneurial journey was winning two rounds of the prestigious Open MIC (Medical Innovation Challenge) Night, a Tulane University Innovation Institute pitch competition focused on medical innovations. Despite being newcomers in the field, we stood out with our unique perspective and secured well-deserved victories. Our hard work and dedication culminated in a compelling 15-minute pitch to renowned health and medical judges during the final round. The recognition and validation from esteemed judges within the medical community reaffirmed our mission’s significance and strengthened our resolve to revolutionize health education through Renuva. This milestone serves as a driving force, motivating us to face future challenges with determination and innovative spirit.

Tulane’s Innovation Institute’s Open MIC Night Round 1 winners take a photo after the competition.

6. Driving Positive Social Change: At the core of Renuva’s mission lies a deep commitment to positive social change. Through our platform, we aim to bridge the gap between health professionals and their audience by facilitating the dissemination of reliable health information. By empowering health professionals with the tools they need to engage effectively on social media, we envision fostering a more informed and healthier society.

7.     Transformative Learning: Our startup experience has been a transformative learning journey. From the technical aspects of developing an MVP to the intricacies of customer engagement, we gained a multifaceted skill set that extends beyond our academic backgrounds. Professionally, this experience has instilled in us a spirit of entrepreneurship and an unwavering belief in our ability to drive change in the world around us. As we make future career decisions, we are inspired to continue pursuing our passion for social innovation and impact.

The award we received to propel Renuva forward marks a significant milestone in our startup journey. As we continue to build on this momentum, we remain steadfast in our dedication to revolutionizing health education and empowering health professionals. Our experience has been filled with excitement, challenges, and invaluable lessons that will continue to shape us both professionally and personally. With the support of our team, partners, and well-wishers, we are eager to take Renuva to new heights, making health education accessible and transformative for all. Together, we can create a healthier, better-informed world.