When Nyasha Machote walked across the stage in May 2025, he carried more than just a diploma—he carried the momentum of a startup poised to disrupt the healthcare access space. His journey into entrepreneurship began with an internship at LaunchNET, a TED Talk, and an inspiring community of student founders.
“I became entrepreneurial through my involvement with LaunchNET and by working alongside other student entrepreneurs. That environment made me eager to start a business of my own.”
During an internship at the Cleveland Clinic, Nyasha uncovered a widespread challenge: too many unclaimed clinical shifts were leading to suboptimal patient care. Meanwhile, students and interns were struggling to find the hours they needed to build their medical careers.
“There was a clear disconnect. There was a lack of awareness between what was available and what was actually being offered.”
That insight laid the groundwork for MedVic, a B2B platform that connects healthcare facilities with aspiring medical professionals – especially pre-med students – who need clinical hours. Nyasha and his team believe that if you are a med student, you should have easy access to clinical hours. Period! MedVic aims to level the playing field, especially for students without access to healthcare recruiters or personal connections.
The mission is clear: increase transparency, reduce unnecessary gap years, and make clinical experience more accessible to all.
Nyasha didn’t build MedVic alone. He teamed up with Francis Mungai, a computer science student who immediately saw the value in the idea and helped turn it into a functional MVP. Between Nyasha’s market research and Francis’s development skills, they were able to rapidly create something functional from the ground up.
Together, they shaped MedVic into a tool designed for both efficiency and impact—benefitting healthcare facilities and students alike, without charging users.
MedVic’s early development was powered by the THINK DO THRIVE Grant managed by CWRU LaunchNET, which Nyasha discovered through his internship at LaunchNET.
“It was our only source of funding. That microgrant helped us go from an idea to actual testing,” he said. “We’re now getting ready for a launch at the end of summer 2025.”
LaunchNET’s funding flexibility was a big draw: grants could be used not only for product development but also for other stages of growth.
Looking back, Nyasha says one of the most valuable lessons he learned was the power of networking.
“Network more. You just never know someone’s background until you talk to them. It’s not only about what they can offer you – but also what you can offer them.”
For students considering launching their own ventures, he offers two key pieces of advice:
- “Get involved with LaunchNET early! If [there is something] you’re interested in, go for it. The biggest risk you can take is not taking one.”
- “Utilize the university resources. You’re already paying for them. These tools aren’t just for business students – anyone can find support at LaunchNET.”
Nyasha envisions MedVic becoming the “LinkedIn Jobs for early healthcare [professionals seeking clinical hours].” In five years, he sees the platform fully integrated with hospitals and clinics, streamlining access to internships and clinical hours for any student who wants them.
“We want to create transparency in the hiring process and make sure no qualified student misses out on an opportunity just because they didn’t know where to look.”
Get Involved
MedVic is preparing to launch in late summer 2025. Want to stay in the loop?
Join the waitlist at med-vic.com
Contact: info@med-vic.com
Be the first to test the app and get early access to opportunities.
“Huge shout out to LaunchNET, Brittain, my family, friends, Francis Mungai, and the Veale Institute team. The feedback I’ve received from everyone is what keeps me going.”