With a Covid19 pandemic that shook the world, we can attest to one positive outcome; the ability of the people to innovate amid a ravaging pandemic. In Kenya, during the coronavirus crisis, the healthcare system saw innovators up their game to create solutions that would ease the potential strain on its systems.
The Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA), through a joint initiative with Villgro Africa, an early-stage business incubator; ICChange - a global, collaborative social enterprise network focusing on the medical and urban entrepreneurial ecosystem; and Kijenzi, a digital manufacturer operating a network of hubs intended to supply replacement parts of medical devices is in search of healthcare entrepreneurs with ideas, devices, technologies or software that have the potential to ensure affordable healthcare to all Kenyans.
The initiative dubbed the Kenya Healthcare Innovation Program is consistent with KeNIA’s vision to accelerate disruptive innovation towards Kenya 2.0, and will culminate in a business pitching contest and award ceremony during Kenya Innovation Week (KIW) slated for December 2021.
As part of the initiative, an innovation boot camp will equip selected entrepreneurs with business skills to strengthen the capacity of Kenyan innovators with regards to scaling their enterprises and impact.
Financial awards of up to $10,000 ($5,000 for 1st place, $3,000 for 1st runner- up & $2,000 for 2nd runner-up) and 455 USD worth of 3D printing services, mentorship, and training for up to 5 weeks, including incubation support, will be presented to the top 3 finalists during the Kenya Innovation Week.
The applicants will be selected based on the innovation’s potential for development impact and scale, the potential for commercial application, while the areas of focus include; devices, equipment, services, software & applications.
To apply, applicants must first log in to their user account on VC4A to access the application form. If one doesn't have a user account on VC4A, they'll have to sign up and complete three onboarding questions before starting the application.