Recovery and Resilience Innovation Challenge

The Recovery and Resilience Innovation Challenge aims at finding, supporting, and amplifying innovative market-ready solutions that are contributing to the revitalization of the Tanzanian economy and social welfare.

The challenge, funded by Human Development Innovation Fund (HDIF), Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Tanzania, and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will help selected startups to develop strategies for shock absorption in the case of unforeseen events in the future.

Benefits

Tailored Program
This equity-free program provides you with tailored content aimed at a 360 review of your business, product-market fit analysis and preparation for growth foundations.

Global Network
Thanks to a wide combined network of Seedstars and Ndoto Hub in 60+ emerging markets, you will be able to build relationships and partnerships beyond borders.

Expertise & Support
You will receive all the tools and know-how to boost your business growth as well as prepare for the next fundraising round and international expansion.

Monetary Prize
The winners of the bootcamp will be given access to the follow-on mentorship program as well as receive a monetary prize of up to $10,000 cash per startup.

Coworking space
Participating companies would be provided free use of Seedspace Dar es Salaam for their companies’ for 3 months post-program.

And more:

• Recovery and resilience techniques
• With access to follow-on funding
• 15+ local and international mentors
• To guide you through the program
• One week of training
• A unique opportunity for your business
• 3-months follow-on program

Submission Criteria

We are looking for ventures that are using innovation to address gaps observed during the COVID-19 crisis and present solutions that will make them and the sector they operate in more resilient to future crises.

• Demonstrate both technical and financial viability in the long run.
• Functional Prototype or Minimum Viable Product.
• A strong business model that is replicable and scalable.
• Competent Founding team.

Timeline

– Call for Applications: 16th Nov – 31st Dec 2020

– 5-day Bootcamp Training: 18th Jan – 22nd Jan 2021

– Mentorship Program: 25th Jan – 25th Apr 2021

Funding and Implementing Partners

HDIF-UKAID / Funding Partner
The Human Development Innovation Fund is a UKaid innovation program that is catalyzing the development of new models of service delivery, the use of new technologies, the involvement of new providers, and the establishment of new partnerships.
HDIF’s goal is to improve human development outcomes for people in Tanzania by funding sustainable solutions for improving the quality and impact of basic services in health, education and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). HDIF seeks to accelerate the testing and scaling of innovation and strengthening the innovation ecosystem through cross-sector networks, strategic partnerships, awards, and knowledge exchange platforms. HDIF also works in close collaboration with Tanzania’s Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH).

UNDP / Funding Partner
The United Nations Development Programme is the UN’s development agency, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. UNDP works in about 170 countries, with a mandate given by the General Assembly, to build integrated solutions for accelerating progress towards the SDGs. In Tanzania, UNDP focuses on key areas of Inclusive and Good Governance, Environment and Climate Change, and Inclusive Growth and Development, with innovation at the core. See: www.tz.undp.org

Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Tanzania​ / Funding Partner
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Tanzania represents the Kingdom of the Netherlands and supports government, citizens, companies, knowledge institutions, development, and civil society organizations. The Netherlands has been a solid partner of Tanzania for more than 40 years and is committed to further strengthen its partnership with Tanzanians in the years to come. In this partnership the Netherlands, exploit all opportunities to contribute to sustainable and inclusive development in Tanzania. This partnership should help Tanzania achieve the SDGs. The Netherlands focuses on promoting a supportive environment for trade and investment to flourish, including promotion of democratic space, human rights, and freedom of speech, and promoting a vibrant, business-friendly, and resilient ecosystem for (young and women) entrepreneurs.

Seedspace Dar es Salaam / Implementing Partner
Seedstars is a Swiss-based group with the mission to impact people’s lives in emerging markets through technology and entrepreneurship. Seedstars connects stakeholders, builds companies from scratch with public and private partners, and invests in high growth startups within these ecosystems.

Seedspace, a network of coworking and co-living spaces now in 15+ countries including Tanzania. Seedspace Dar es Salaam is the largest entrepreneurship hub in Tanzania. It consists of a diverse community of changemakers, entrepreneurs, and digital nomads who operate startups, corporates, and non-profits organizations. Seedspace has on its own already invested more than US $250K to startups in Tanzania, Botswana, and Uganda in its two years of operations.

Ndoto Hub / Implementing Partner
Ndoto Hub is an innovation hub for social entrepreneurs providing enterprise development and personal leadership support for young women. As Tanzania’s first startup incubator for these young women entrepreneurs, the mission of Ndoto Hub stems from the systemic education and gender inequities present throughout the country.

Through its incubator, the hub has directly supported, mentored and coached over 210 young women entrepreneurs (for the past three years)with 60% of them registering their enterprises in different fields including agribusiness, e-commerce, recycling, beauty products, food catering, arts and crafts. With its networking events and partnerships in the ecosystem, the hub has supported over 2,000 youth connecting them with market opportunities, funding support and potential partners especially by taking the hub to trade exhibitions across Tanzania.