Kenya Assistive Technology Hardware Innovation Program

Background

Villgro Africa, Innovate Now & KeNIA have partnered in search of entrepreneurs with Assistive Technology hardware innovations that assist individuals with disabilities to perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible. Assistive Technologies are innovations that are rehabilitative, assistive and adaptive for people living with disabilities or have the ability to address challenges faced by the elderly population

Villgro Africa is an early-stage business incubator and impact investor that supports health and life science start-ups on the African continent – to transform product and process innovations into viable, scalable businesses that impact the base of the economic pyramid (BoP).

Innovate Now is Africa’s first Assistive Technology Accelerator and an initiative of the Global Disability Innovation Hub and partners, including Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa, ICT Norway, and Amref Health Africa. The accelerator offers mentorship, learning, and expert guidance over a 3 to 6 month period to create market fit, scalable and investable Assistive Technology. Innovate Now is made possible through funding support by FCDO as part of the AT2030 project and Norad through the Enabling Digital Assistive Technology and Assistive Technology Project.

The Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) is a State Corporation established under the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Act, No. 28 of 2013 under the Ministry of Education. The core mandate of the Agency is to develop and manage the National Innovation System. The Agency is therefore responsible for coordination, promotion, and regulation of the National Innovation Ecosystem.

As part of this initiative, training and mentorship will be provided to selected entrepreneurs to support them towards investor readiness. Financial awards will be presented to the top finalist(s) during a pitching event.

Who is eligible to apply?

This call shall be limited to Kenyan citizens who have the skills to actualize their hardware product.

How will you benefit?

• Funding – Initial investment funding pool of $20,000.
• Access to Networks – Access to development and investor networks from Innovate Now, KeNIA and Villgro Africa.
• Investment Readiness – Receive mentorship and training that will enable you to communicate effectively with potential partners and investors.

Selection Criteria

• Awareness of user needs – What work have you done to understand user needs, and align with them?
• Potential for Impact – what is your assistive technology’s potential for social and/or environmental impact?
• Potential for scale – what is the potential size of the market for the assistive technology hardware innovation
• Maturity of assistive technology hardware product – How advanced is the product; functional prototype stage or market-ready? Is Design for Manufacture & Assembly done?
• Team strength – do you have a cross-functional team e.g. Comprising a doctor, engineer, and marketer, that has the experience to drive the business to success?