Ghana Tech Lab, in partnership with Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works, is supporting local solutions in Ghana as part of measures to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The SLI-COVID-19 Challenge aims to support and scale-up innovative solutions to stop the spread of the pandemic. Selected local entrepreneurs stand the chance of being awarded up to $10,000 to support their work in tackling COVID-19. The Challenge builds on the Scaling Local Innovation program and is Ghana Tech Lab and Mastercard Foundation’s response to the need to rapidly mobilize, support, and scale local innovations with the potential to provide essential services and products during and after the pandemic. The SLI-COVID-19 Challenge is focused on scaling existing solutions from local entrepreneurs that are directly or indirectly related to mitigating the adverse effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, while also creating work opportunities for young women and men. Currently, the Challenge has received a total of 199 applications across the country with some applications from other countries like Nigeria, Gambia and the United States. It has also received a range of interventions from digital and IT solutions, to health care and environmental solutions, fashion and food delivery solutions. After an initial screening, 15 short-listed applicants submitted an online pitch for further review and selection. Then six local innovations were selected to have made it through to the program. The SLI-COVID-19 Challenge will run from April to May 2020. The six final participants will receive daily online coaching for the duration of the process. They will also receive technical and business mentorship to support them with product development in preparation for their product implementation. Finalists will present their contributions in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic at an online product presentation session in May 2020. After product presentation and assessments, all 6 innovative solutions will be presented with a grant up to 10,000USD each to help scale their innovations and make them accessible to the market. Ghana Tech Lab is an open collaborative tech space for competent digital skills training, seeding innovations and growing startups. Ghana Tech Lab is a joint venture between Innohub Ghana and Kumasi Hive under the E-Transform Project of the Ministry of Communications and funded by the World Bank. In its collaboration with Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works, Ghana Tech Lab is moving beyond upgrading the skills of young people in Ghana so that they are equipped for dignified work opportunities, to supporting young entrepreneurs and small business owners to expand their businesses and create additional work opportunities.
USAID Mission Guidance for COVID-19 Digital Response Solutions
Information is critical to COVID-19 Digital Response. Decision makers need detailed and timely data about the coronavirus disease spread. Health workers and communities need access to truthful information to protect themselves and their loved ones. However, responding to a public health emergency requires a multitude of actors from health and development institutions, emergency response, and humanitarian organizations. COVID-19 has already attracted billions in new funding and many new partners both at the local and international level. Each of these actors bring their own ways of collecting, sharing, and using data, and many of them bring new technology. Not all are familiar with each other. Nearly all require mobile or internet connectivity. Digital Response Lessons Learned This was apparent during the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa – the underlying technical, institutional, and human systems and processes required to gather, analyze, and use data were not robust enough to support a timely response. There was an unclear and asynchronous picture of the disease’s spread, and a “fog of information” generated by more than 50 digital data systems in the affected countries. Subscribe Now for More COVID-19 Resources USAID and its implementing partners have learned a lot since then. We must look for ways that technology can amplify local efforts, not usurp them. Critically, we now aim to ensure that: Country governments are in the driver’s seat from the beginning. We all advance locally led and whole-of-government approach and coordinate related initiatives. We establish data protocols, reuse existing digital tools, and work with the private sector. USAID COVID-19 Response Guidance Please refer to USAID COVID-19 Digital Response Guidance (PDF) for steps that you can take to increase institutional readiness to prevent, detect, and respond to COVID-19, and its effects. The guidance answers three common response questions: 1. What can be done today? Now is the time to get a handle on what exists: what resources exist at USAID Missions? With implementing partners? What local assets and systems already exist that host country institutions can access and trust? 2. What can be done this week? Now is the time to reach out to government counterparts, private sector, and other donors to contribute to a coordinated response. Understand opportunities and risks, and work together to support across sectors. 3. What can be done this month? Now is the time to address critical gaps and adapt as the situation changes. Most items in the USAID COVID-19 Digital Response Guidance do not require USAID contract modifications. They can prepare Missions and implementing partners to develop a COVID-19 Digital Response that is grounded in the local context and successful over time. COVID-19 Digital Response Resources Digital health technology will be integral to COVID-19 digital response by donors, government, and health systems in low- and middle income countries. We developed several resources of potential solutions: 3 Early Digital Health COVID-19 Response Success Stories 10 Digital Health Technology Solutions for Global COVID Response 10 Global Digital Health Solutions for Coronavirus Response 7 Artificial Intelligence Applications to Contain COVID-19 Technologists, we need your ideas to build a truly comprehensive list of possible digital health solutions. Governments, donors, and implementers, check out the full list of 110+ potential solutions for coronavirus response.
$50k to $100k funding for startups launched by Ingressive Capital
A leading provider of support for startups in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA), Ingressive Capital has launched its online application for early-stage founders based in SSA to access funding in 30 days or Less. According to Maya Horgan Famodu, a leading partner of Ingressuce Capital, “Fundraising is difficult. We want to help the best and the brightest founders across Africa stay focused and keep building. We’re looking for great ideas built by solid teams. No matter where you are in Sub-Saharan Africa, apply. We’re looking for the best of the best, irrespective of who you know or where you’re based,” To qualify for the funding, the following are noted as key requirements: * You have launched your startup / have initial traction (i.e. money, users, etc.). * You have a clear business model. * You are a high growth technology business targeting a scalable market. * You and your team are bright, hungry, and know your market better than anyone else. * You are an early stage startup. “We are looking for grinders. People who have an inclination to dream big and have real plans to actually get there,” says Yacob Berhane from Ingressive Capital. Ingressive Capital is noted to be sector agnostic and if you are focused on a scalable market in Fintech or manufacturing tech; ISP or logistics; Oil & Gas tech or healthtech apply by using this link and get a decision in 30 days or less. Some successful investments by Ingressive Capital include: Paystack, AwaBike and Tizeti, who recently raised significant Series A investments and more. Applications can be done via: http://www.ingressivecapital.com/ Why Ingressive Capital? In addition to being one of the few active seed stage VCs in the region, Ingressive Capital (IC) leverages their global network to assist with growth and scale. They plug startups in to new major clients, new investors, talent, and provide financial support. Through IC’s network of limited partners (investors in their fund) including those who run Y Combinator, Techstars, and WTI and over 10 other top funds and accelerators, they help companies get follow-on funding from abroad. Their sister company, Ingressive LLC,serves top international tech businesses and investment funds seeking to enter and operate across Sub-Saharan Africa, or support / acquire local startups. Ingressive LLC has served more than 50 global firms and investors who have gone on to make over 30 investments in the region. Ingressive LLC also holds a network of technical talent including 10,000 developers and designers. This network is leveraged to support portfolio companies as well. Ingressive Capital aims to be one of the first cheques in, and offers $50k to $100k cheques in early stage companies. Apply now and receive an answer in 30 days or less regarding investment in your business. For local support, regional representatives can be contacted via: Maya Horgan Famodu (Instagram @mayanator)– Nigeria Yacob Berhane (LinkedIn Profile)– Kenya William Senyo (Twitter @WillSenyo)– Ghana
International Labour Organisation (ILO) Skills Challenge Innovation Call 2020 (Up to $50,000 grant)
Deadline: April 30, 2020 Applications are open for the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Skills Challenge Innovation Call 2020. The ILO is calling on individuals and organizations to share innovative ideas and solutions to address the skills mismatch challenge. The ILO Skills Challenge Innovation Call will recognise and support the development of solutions that aim to address the different forms and dimensions of skills mismatch. These can include proposals to: Enhance the effectiveness of vocational education and training programmes through innovative delivery and assessment partnerships; Improve the development and recognition of knowledge, skills and attributes of employees through innovative work based learning initiatives; Empower enterprises to better utilise the skills of their workers; Improve the collection, analysis, management and use of data and information on skill needs and labour market trends; Improve the training and employment of under-represented groups including migrant and refugees, people with disabilities, young people and women; Improve the provision of active labour market programmes through the integrated provision of vocational and job search assistance, training and work placement for the unemployed; and To establish new and innovative multi-stakeholder partnerships to address skills mismatch at the regional, sectoral or local levels. Benefits The winning entry will receive substantial support comprised on the following: Financial support: The winner will receive a $50,000 grant to implement the proposed solution; Six-month innovation lab: The winner will receive technical support to transform the idea into a prototype ready to be piloted, including through boot camps and remote mentoring via a virtual platform; Worldwide visibility: The winner will receive support through awareness raising of the idea and solution, including an invitation to a global event to present the innovation concept to potential partners and sponsors, press articles in media channels, videos, among others; Extended network and partnerships: The winner and shortlisted entries will join the ILO’s Global Network of Skills Innovators. They will have the opportunity to exchange with other innovators and share their solutions with ILO’s stakeholders. Moreover, the best 10 ideas will be invited to join the ILO Skills Innovators Network. Eligibility Any individual or any formally constituted and registered organisation/company in existence for at least two calendar years prior to the deadline can apply. By organizations they mean cooperatives, education and training institutions (including schools, public and private training providers and universities), government agencies, NGOs and civil society organizations, public and private enterprises, regional and sectoral bodies and research organisations. They are open to all ideas and solutions at any stage of development. They can be at an early-stage or more mature innovation. They can be a one person’s idea or involve a collaborative joint effort from different actors, such as governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations. Application To submit your idea or solution, applicants should: Develop the proposal and secure support from partners; Complete the application form; Send the completed form and supporting documents to skills@ilo.org by April 30, 2020 (midnight, Geneva time). Applications and supporting documents can be submitted in English, French and Spanish. There is no fee to participate in the Call. Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their application has been received. Incomplete or late responses will not be considered. Click here to complete the application form For more information, visit ILO Skills Challenge Innovation Call.
Ecobank Fintech Challenge 2020 for African Startups (Up to $10,000 prize)
Deadline: April 12, 2020 Applications for the Ecobank Fintech Challenge 2020 are now open. The Ecobank Fintech Challenge identifies and partners Fintechs that are ready to scale and provides them with support and access to Ecobank’s 33 African markets so they can grow to become true Pan African Fintech success stories. The selected finalists participate in the Ecobank Fintech Innovation Fair, with the top 3 finalists winning cash prizes. All finalists are inducted into the Ecobank Fintech Fellowship, which affords them the opportunity to explore deals, integration and commercial partnership with the Ecobank Group. Benefits Become a finalist; get inducted as an Ecobank Fintech Fellow and stand a chance to explore the following opportunities: Once in a lifetime opportunity to pursue integration with Ecobank and potentially launch products in Ecobank’s over 30 markets across Africa. The top three winners at the Challenge will be awarded $10,000, $7000, and $5000 cash prizes respectively. Start-ups may be selected by Ecobank as local country-level partner in any of Ecobank’s 33 country ecosystem. Fellows will be given access to Ecobank’s APIs to test and improve their products for the pan-African market. Founders will be inducted as Ecobank Fintech Fellows, granting them access to networking and mentoring opportunities within the Ecobank Group and its vast network of global and African partners. The Challenge offers opportunities for Fintechs to potentially integrate with Ecobank’s existing digital offerings. The existing digital offerings include Ecobank Omni, Ecobank electronic financial supply chain(eFSC), Ecobank Xpress, Ecobank Mobile APP or USSD, MasterPass™ QR, mVISA™ & mCash, etc. They’d like applicants to pitch how their solutions can add value to these existing Ecobank digital offerings. Eligibility Open to all Fintechs on the African continent. Ecobank is looking for products that offer solutions and innovations in the following areas: Digital customer onboarding (consumers, SME/Merchant, Investment Banking) Improve customer experience at branches Improve customer experience online Digitization of the customer journey Application Click here to apply For more information, visit Ecobank Fintech Challenge
Apply Now: Call for startups tackling Covid-19
We invite startups tackling the Covid-19 outbreak to apply for funding. If you have an idea or existing startup that can chart the path to recovery, we want to hear from you. We want to accelerate your innovation by investing in you. The Covid-19 call is global and fully remote. Solutions we would like to fund Antler is inviting startups to propose solutions in Mitigation (e.g. masks, contact tracing, surveillance, data infrastructure), Medical Equipment (e.g. test kits, protective devices, ventilators), Remote Health (e.g. telehealth, remote patient monitoring, symptom checkers) and Digital Tools (e.g. remote work, smart delivery, e-learning). The purpose is to contribute towards the path recovery from the crisis. Click Here To Apply now!
Apply Now: 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆: 𝗚𝗧𝗟 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺
An open opportunity for University students and graduates to acquire skills online in Introduction to A.I or Graphic Design for 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲. Even more, 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘂𝗽 𝟭𝟬𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘀 Apply now: http://bit.ly/GTLonuni Deadline: 3rd April 2020
Apply Now: 𝗦𝗛𝗦: 𝗚𝗧𝗟 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺
Are you a Senior High School Student? Do you want to upgrade your digital skills for free? Take up this opportunity to learn a marketable and relevant skill in Social Media Management or Graphic Design online. 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘂𝗽 𝟭𝟬𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘀 Apply now: http://bit.ly/GTLonshs 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: 𝟯𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟬 #GTLimpact #ghanatechlab #GTLLockdownOnlineTraining Mastercard Foundation World Bank Africa Ministry of Communications Ghana Young Africa Works
Our CEO join other Young Leaders Fight #COVID19 Through Digital Innovation Process
From developing a responsive website portal that displays a map (integrated with Google GIS) and provides near real-time updates on the number and location of currently affected Covid-19 patients, to tackling the vulnerability of our current working force, professionals need to regularly up-skill and cross-skill to stay relevant in the job market; 350 young people collaborate to tackle the current challenges caused by the novel virus: Coronavirus (COVID-2019). Under the auspices of the UNLEASH Innovation Lab for the SDGs, this initiative dubbed Unleash Global COVID-19 Hack, was a 2-day global digital hackathon designed to collectively address some of the challenges humanity is facing due to the spread and effect of COVID-19 to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the Africa/Europe sub-group, the hack focused on various issues like mental health, communication-related problems, resources and equipment for medical and health workers. Participants went through an intensive innovation process using slack, zoom, and miro to actively share ideas and were facilitated by UNLEASH alumni. A total of 31 solutions were developed, ranging from how to deal with poor mental health in times of social isolation, fighting fake news circulating around COVID-19, to delivery systems for vulnerable people. “I have learned a lot and willing to use these ideas generated to support my country beat this invisible enemy, it has been a fruitful process and I will love to do it again” – Rawan Taha (Egypt) UNLEASH Lead Implementation Partner, Chemonics International were also part of the Hack supporting five respective teams’ journeys from insight to prototype in just two intensive days. “With the help of a phenomenal group of facilitators and a range of experts in our time zone, the groups developed impressive solutions to issues like access to care for vulnerable populations and economic resiliency for individuals and small businesses,” said Director of Global Operations & Improvement at Chemonics International, Lauren Behr. The hackathon had participants from Lead Innovation Partner, Deloitte and young people from across 73 countries. The organizing team of the hack in Africa and Europe (GMT) zone consisted of Ghanaians who had previously participated in UNLEASH: Andrews Kofi Akoto-Addo, Emmanuel Boamah Preko, Benjamin Nana Baisie, Afia Bobia Amanfo, and Abdulrahim Shaibu-Issah.
350 talents and facilitators hacked for Covid-19 and 31 new solutions came out of it
Over the weekend, from March 28-29, 350 UNLEASH alumni and experts were involved in the first UNLEASH Hacks. The hacks are global digital hackathons designed to collectively address some of the challenges humanity is facing due to the spread and effect of the Covid-19 virus. Over 70 countries were part of the first UNLEASH Hacks. Organized by the UNLEASH Secretariat and UNLEASH Alumni, passionate talents in six different time zones, had the opportunity to work together in addressing challenges linked to the current global pandemic affecting societies, communities and economies. On Sunday, the teams presented their solution ideas via a live stream. Solutions ranged from how to deal with poor mental health in times of social isolation, fighting fake news circulating around Covid-19, to delivery systems for vulnerable people, A total of 31 solutions were developed over the weekend, and now the teams are looking for funding, expertise, partners or help with advocacy work. UNLEASH is will be working to connect teams with relevant partners and support the different needs of the groups as they move forward. UNLEASH Lead Implementation Partner, Chemonics International where also part of the Hack. The organizing team of the hack in GMT-4 consisted of Chemonics employees who had previously participated in UNLEASH. “The Chemonics International Organizing Team had an incredible experience supporting our five teams’ journey from insight to prototype in just two intensive days. With the help of a phenomenal group of facilitators and a range of experts in our time zone, the groups developed impressive solutions to issues like access to care for vulnerable populations and economic resiliency for individuals and small businesses.” said Director of Global Operations & Improvement at Chemonics International, Lauren Behr. The hack also had participants from Lead Innovation Partner, Deloitte who had both talents and facilitators join in three different time zones. All solutions can be found here and the live presentation can be found on the UNLEASH Facebook page. If you are interested in helping these teams implement their solutions, feel free to reach out directly. If you have questions around the Hacks, please write secretariat@unleash.org. Source: https://unleash.org/