Through a call for applications, innovators who are developing such solutions have been invited to apply. The partnership will see entrepreneurs with innovations that are rehabilitative, assistive and adaptive for people living with disabilities or the elderly receive funding of up-to USD 20,000, training and mentorship on investor readiness, and get access to investor networks. The call is now LIVE at villgroafrica.org/call-for-applications-3 As part of this initiative, an innovation bootcamp will provide selected entrepreneurs with business skills to support commercially viable hardware technology and strengthen the capacity of Kenyan innovators with regards to scaling their enterprise and impact. 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? How to apply? Applicants must first log in to their user account on VC4A to access the full application. If you don’t have a user account on VC4A, you will be asked to sign up and complete 3 onboarding questions, before you can start with your application. All applications have to be submitted via the online application form. Application Deadline: 28th March 2022
