GaiaCura

🌟 Inspiration

Our inspiration for GaiaCura came from a candid conversation within our team where some members admitted they had never thought about the potential dangers of chemicals in period products. After researching, we were shocked to find alarming statistics about the toxic chemicals present in many period products. It was surprising that this isn't more widely discussed, and we knew we needed to raise awareness. Seeing a few discussions on social media, we realized there was more we could do to spread this information, which sparked the idea to build an app to help people make informed, healthier choices.

💡 What it does

GaiaCura is an app that helps users discover sustainable, chemical-free period products, promoting healthier choices for both individuals and the environment. Users can browse various options like pads, tampons, period underwear, and reusable pads from brands committed to sustainability. The app also features a chatbot that provides personalized advice and answers questions about menstrual products. Additionally, users can scan products to check if they're sustainable, compare prices, and learn about the best eco-friendly options available.

🔨 How we built it

We built GaiaCura using Flutter, which allowed us to create a cross-platform app for Android, iOS, and web. We chose Flutter for its flexibility, enabling us to reach more users without building separate versions for each platform. We used Firebase for secure authentication and user data storage. The app’s chatbot feature is powered by OpenAI’s API, providing real-time answers to users’ questions about sustainable period products.

🚧 Challenges we ran into

One major challenge was working with Flutter for the first time. None of us had experience with it, so we had to learn everything from scratch: UI design, state management, and integrating APIs. Another hurdle was gathering reliable data on sustainable products to ensure that the information we provide is accurate. We also faced difficulties ensuring a consistent user experience across platforms, as certain layouts and features looked different on Android and iOS.

🏆 Accomplishments that we're proud of

We’re incredibly proud of creating an app that tackles an important but often overlooked health issue for women. Despite our lack of experience with Flutter, we successfully built a functional prototype with real value for users, offering them safe and sustainable product choices. We’re also proud of the successful integration of the chatbot, which required us to work with OpenAI's API — a new experience for most of us.

📚 What we learned

We learned a great deal about Flutter, including how to create responsive UI components across different screen sizes and platforms. We also gained experience with third-party services like Firebase for authentication and OpenAI for conversational AI. On a personal level, we deepened our understanding of the impact of toxic chemicals in period products and the importance of sustainability. It was eye-opening to see the gap in awareness around menstrual health and sustainability, which motivated us to contribute to this important cause.

🚀 What's next for GaiaCura

The next step for GaiaCura is to add more features that increase user engagement. We plan to enable users to purchase products directly through the app and add a community forum where users can share reviews and experiences. Additionally, we want to improve the scanning feature to provide detailed sustainability scores. Finally, we aim to partner with some sustainable and safe period product companies.