Villgro Africa MedTech Innovation Program

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

We are excited to announce the opening of the Call for Applications for Medical device hardware technology. If you are a MedTech innovator, entrepreneur, or organization making significant strides in medical device healthcare technology, we encourage you to apply for an opportunity to join the Villgro Africa cohort.

The Opportunity for East African Innovators

As part of our commitment to fostering innovation in East Africa, we will be running a six-month acceleration program for companies that are developing solutions in the MedTech industry. We are actively seeking eligible candidates from East Africa to join our core portfolio for investment and technical support.

If you are developing solutions for Low and Middle-Income populations in the following areas, we welcome you to apply.

1. Maternal and child healthcare
2. Hospital equipment
3. Non-surgical medical equipment
4. Surgical medical equipment
5. Non-communicable disease equipment (Diagnostic tool)
6. Communicable disease equipment (Diagnostic tool)
7. Assistive technology
8. Remote monitoring (wearable)
9. Vital signs monitoring (in hospital)
10. Others

Why Apply?

1. Learning opportunities in medical device development journey.
2. Gain exposure to a diverse community of medical technology and healthcare professionals.
3. Showcase your innovations to attract potential partners, investors, and customers.
4. Network with fellow peer innovators, experts, and stakeholders in the MedTech healthcare ecosystem.
5. Access mentorship, funding opportunities, and support to scale your MedTech solutions.

Selection Criteria

1. Relevance of team expertise to product development.
2. The hardware product should be functional, having demonstrated proof of concept.
3. Awareness of user needs and the potential for impact.
4. The uniqueness of technology and hardware development.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of Villgro Africa’s 2024 MedTech Cohort and contribute to shaping the future of healthcare on the continent. Apply now and join us in driving innovation, improving healthcare outcomes, and transforming lives across Africa.

Note: The application deadline is 10th May 2024.

FAQs

1. Can I apply for both the Transforming African MedTech Conference and the Call for East African Innovators?

If you are an East African national or resident, you are eligible to apply for both the Transforming African MedTech Conference and the Call for East African Innovators.

If you are not an East African national or resident, you are only eligible to apply for the Transforming African MedTech Conference.

2. Do I have to be East African to be eligible for this call?

The applicant must meet all the criteria below:

• A national of an East African country or holds indefinite leave to remain in an East African country
• Domiciled in an East African country in which they must be a legal resident and
• Developing the proposed health innovation in their host country

3. How can I determine if the product/service I am developing is eligible for this call?

The call is open to any type of medical device hardware technology leading to the creation of solutions towards disease prevention, diagnosis, management and treatment. Beauty, lifestyle and software products are not eligible.

4. What technology readiness level of the solution is eligible?

The call is open to the following levels of technology readiness: functional prototype, validated or production-ready device, diagnostics or therapeutics.

5. My solution is a service that creates value by reducing strain on health systems. Is it eligible regardless of the technology readiness level?

Services such as supply chain streamlining, education/training and social care-related solutions e.g. home care/support for elderly populations and other vulnerable groups are not eligible.

6. Are there any specific requirements for venture eligibility?

Yes, the venture must be a for-profit organization registered in the East African country of operation.

7. What is the deadline for the application?

The deadline is on the 10th of May 2024.

8. Will it cost me to apply?

There is no cost to the application process, but should you have any questions about your application, please contact medtech@villgroafrica.org

9. Do I need to upload any documents for submission with my application?

In addition to the application on the portal VC4A, applicants must submit the following:

• CVs of core team members (2 pages max).
• A concept note (2 pages max) or pitch deck that describes the hardware technology.
• A link to a demo video or photograph of the hardware technology.

10. How do I upload the video/photo/pitch deck or concept note?

You’ll need to upload a URL link to the document/video.

11. What is the selection process?

The selection committee will meet to select the top innovation in the initial screening and harmonize the cohort based on:

• Suitability of team expertise to product development.
• The hardware product should be functional, having demonstrated proof of concept.
• Awareness of user needs and potential for impact.
• The uniqueness of technology and Hardware development.

12. What is offered to the selected companies?

Selected companies will go through a 6-month acceleration program during which they will be offered customized support based on their needs, including:

• Support networks for accessing the tech community and peer learning opportunities.
• Mentorship and guidance from inspiring and appropriate role models in your field.
• Technical expertise customized for medical technology support from Villgro Africa and partners.
• Funding opportunities to secure funding for scaling your solution.

13. What type of funding?

Grant funding may be offered to the top MedTech entrepreneurs.

14. Who can see the information I submit in the application?

All information submitted may be seen by the coordinating and implementing team and collaboration partners, which includes judges and assessors. All members of the program team are bound by confidentiality agreements. We will retain the application materials of applicants (including applicants who are not selected) for up to two years.

15. What publicity will there be about my application?

Once companies have been admitted to the program, Villgro Africa may publicize your involvement through communications channels including but not limited to Villgro Africa’s website, websites of collaboration partners, social media platforms of program partners as well as other public communications channels.

16. Who can I contact for questions or clarifications?

If you would like to discuss whether your work/company/solution is relevant to the type of medical device hardware solutions we are looking for or if you require any other clarification about the application process, please reach out to winnie@villgroafrica.org or stacy@villgroafrica.org.