Deadline: 5-Jan-23
Innovate Now has launched a Call for applications for innovators across the African continent who are dedicated to developing digital assistive technologies and services designed to assist persons with disabilities in Africa.
African start-ups receive mentorship, learning and expert guidance over a 3-6 month period to create market fit, scalable and investable Assistive Technologies (AT).
Theme: Digital Assistive Technology (AT)
Innovate Now is looking to support startups offering persons with disabilities in Africa access to digital assistive technology solutions or that leverage digital platforms to help persons with disabilities access assistive technology for education, healthcare, livelihood and other sectors. Cohort 7 is particularly interested in assistive technology solutions targeting children and the elderly.
Benefits
- Active learning
- A programme of learning centred around user, market, product and business development.
- Mentorship
- Hands on mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, product developers and disability experts.
- Live labs
- Clinical partners to help you understand, validate and test AT products and services with disabled individuals.
- Events
- Entrepreneur keynotes showcase the realities, success and challenges of venture building.
- Demo day
- Pitch to a panel of judges, and an audience of investors, entrepreneurs and leaders in AT.
What will you get?
- Access to Kenya-based and global mentors and subject matter experts in assistive technology and entrepreneurship.
- Access to Innovate Now’s growing network of Live Labs-A unique concept that allows you to test, get feedback and validate directly with persons with disabilities across East Africa.
- Access to Innovate Now’s investor network and investor readiness programs and Innovate Now’s funding ecosystem e.g. AT Impact Fund, innovation advisory and investment and Norwegian community of practice.
- Technical Assistance: tangible, direct support relating to what’s needed for your startup to succeed: legal, marketing, fundraising, experimental design, pitching and investor readiness.
- Access to their global inclusive innovation ecosystem and partner network across organisations of persons with disabilities, universities, funders, Assistive Technology experts, disability experts, inclusive design experts, corporations and NGOs.
Who are they looking for?
- Innovation-driven startups who are improving access to assistive technology through digital means or offering digital assistive technology solutions across education, healthcare, livelihoods and other sectors.
- Innovative, execution focused-agile problem solvers.
- Authentic mission-driven founder(s).
- Teams with a culture of empathy, continuous learning and problem solving.
- Structured and efficient teams (defined ownership, commitment, roles and accountability) and organisation (systems, processes and resources).
Eligibility Criteria
- Innovate Now is calling innovation-driven startups, with proof-of-concept, who are improving access to AT through digital means, or offering digital AT solutions across education, healthcare and livelihoods.
- Geography: East Africa
- Stage: Ventures past proof-of-concept with minimum viable product and some initial users
- Sector: Digitally enabled Assistive Technology products and services
- Type: Both for-profit and non-profit social enterprises can apply.
- Inclusive Participation: entrepreneurs with disabilities and women highly encouraged to apply.
- Age: Applicants must be of legal working age in Kenya (18 years) or guaranteed by a guardian of legal working age. They must have all the legal rights to work in Kenya.
For more information, visit https://atinnovatenow.com/