NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

About the Event

The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a growing realization of the potential for harnessing innovation to improve the capacity and efficiency of health systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This is particularly important as illnesses such as cancer and heart disease are becoming much more common in the African continent.

This October, the Novartis Foundation, in collaboration with Norrsken East Africa, launched the HealthTech Hub Challenge, a competition to find the top East Africa-based innovators working on breast cancer, cardiovascular health, or virtual health and care challenges. The challenge will award up to 30 startups a full-year subsidy to the HealthTech Hub Africa and participation in its 2022 HealthTech Innovation Program.

Devex is hosting this event in partnership with the Novartis Foundation to bring together the 10 finalists from a shortlist of 30 startups to participate in a public virtual pitch to a panel of judges. The winning five start-ups will be awarded a prize of $30k, $20k, $20k, $10k and $5k respectively.

The challenge is part of the HealthTech Hub Africa, a new HealthTech accelerator based in Kigali, Rwanda. The hub, powered by the Novartis Foundation, will host and support startups through capability-building opportunities, partner matchmaking with the public and private sectors, as well as mentorship and opportunities to test and validate their solutions in the public health system.

Time: 9 a.m. ET | 3 p.m. CET