Deadline: 25 February 2020
The TechEmerge Health East Africa program was launched at CES 2020 as part of a World Bank Group (WBG) – CES Global Tech Challenge. TechEmerge brings technologies to new markets to drive sustainable innovation in regions that need it the most.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) do this by matching best-in-class, proven, affordable technology solutions from around the world with local partners in emerging markets to conduct pilot projects and build commercial partnerships.
Selected innovators receive funding and guidance from the TechEmerge team to pilot their tech solutions in the East African market, with the ultimate goal of wider commercial deployment of the technologies. IFC provides support during the market-entry and tech transfer process for both innovators and healthcare providers – mitigating financial and operational risks associated with market entry for innovators and reducing adoption risks for local healthcare providers.
Over 20 leading private healthcare providers in Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia have signed on to the program and are interested in working with health tech companies that can address their needs. Through a competitive selection process, with the support of an network of external technical advisors, shortlisted innovators meet with local organizations to demo their products and discuss potential pilot opportunities. With their support, selected innovators and local healthcare providers partner to test and validate technologies in the local setting.
Funding Information
Access to a pool of up to $1M in funding to support pilot projects in East Africa (competitive selection)
How does the program work?
- Assess: They identify challenges and gaps in emerging markets, talking in person with local organizations to ensure they understand which technologies could best meet their needs.
- Source: They launch an open call for innovators from around the world with market relevant solutions to apply to join the program.
- Select: With the support of a network of expert advisors, they select high-performing innovators with proven technologies that can meet the needs of participating local organizations.
- Match: Through a carefully curated process, they arrange events and meetings for the shortlisted innovators to meet local organizations, demo their products, and discuss the potential to pilot projects together.
- Pilot: With their support, selected innovators and participating organizations partner to test technologies in a local setting.
- Commercialize: If the pilot is successful, the local organization and innovator may decide to enter into a commercial contract.
Why Apply?
- Access to robust network of East Africa health systems and potential users/buyers of technology
- Guidance from the TechEmerge team and global network of advisors to develop pilot implementation and market entry strategies
- Potential investment from IFC
Criteria
- Proven product, installed with at least one health system
- Privately owned company, typically with less than 50 employees and less than US$100M in venture capital funding (with some exceptions)
- Meets the needs of the East African Healthcare Providers
- Demonstrated managerial capacity and scalability
- Ability to allocate time and resources to participate in the Project, including attending periodic meetings, and implementation of field testing/pilot project in East Africa
How to Apply
Applicants can apply via given website.
For more information, visit https://www.techemerge.org/country/tech-emerge-east-africa
