Opportunity for startups

What is Assistive Technology?

Hello Reality Cheque community. Allow me to share more information about this program and why any startup in tech needs to follow this closely. For the first time ever globally, a network of partners have come together to explore support for technology that matters i.e. Assistive Technology (products like wheelchairs, prosthetics, hearing aids, eyeglasses, and personal assistive devices). This tech matters because it help people maintain or improve their well-being and independence. AT also includes any systems or services that support people in accessing and using AT products.

What is the Opportunity?

AT is a huge global opportunity for startups. There is a current gap of 1 billion people across the globe that do not have access to affordable and quality assistive technology according to reputable and verifiable research from Global Disability Innovation Hub. With huge gaps comes huge opportunities. According to our research, The Global Assistive Technology market was valued over 18 million dollars in 2017, and its value is expected to reach over 30 billion dollars by 2024.

Africa's 1st Assisitve Technology Focused Accelerator

Enter Africa's first ever Assistive Technology Accelerator and Innovation Ecosystem-Innovate Now. We want to help any entrepreneur or startup with an AT solution to go to market and build partnerships and funding for scale. What if you are not accelerator ready? Working closely with University of Nairobi Fab Lab and Science Park, we will run a series of makeathons to inspire, help concept stage startups ideate and prototype. We will also be using this platfrom to mentor and link startups with the best incubationand acceleration support programs in Kenya.

What do entrepreneurs Get?

1. Unique local and global expertise on human-centered design, markets, clinical trials, materials, manufacturing, procurement, growth-hacking, business support and marketing.

2. The Innovate Now Scale Fund – selected ventures will have the opportunity to bid for an investment of up to £ 100,000 in grant-catalytic funding at the end of the accelerator programme.

3. Users and user-organisations through our ‘live labs’ network which enable rapid AT testing and feedback; ensuring users are at the heart of product and service development.

What Can you Do?

Apply at https://www.innovationchallenge.fund The deadline is quickly approaching on 1st SEP 2019

Spread the Word. See attached Media Kit

Get in touch: b.chiira@ucl.ac.uk, fidelina.ndunge@amref.org

Phone: 0720 387 252

Learn more about why this is important for Africa in the BBC video herein: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07hjq07

This is a great opportunity

@Bernard Chiira tell us more about this