Ventures Platform has partnered with the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), MTN, and LagosState Science and Research Innovation Council (LASRIC). They contributed US$21k to invest in seven startups combating COVID-19. This is a part of the just-concluded #COVID19Innovation Challenge for startups that are building solutions to mitigate the spread of the disease in Nigeria.
The other partners include Loftyinc Allied Partners, Silverchip Fox Consulting, AGS Tribe, ACIOE, Bluechip Technologies, Lakunle Runsewe, Venture Garden Group, NESG, Sterling Bank, Manasseh Egedegbe, and LASRIC. The seven startups each received US$3k equity-free grant funding to develop their innovative solutions, against the initial US$1k announced during the call for application.
NCDC will be working with three startups in the capacity as stated below:
GLOEPID – will be the official bot tool for self-assessment and tracing contact.
Wellvis Health – its COVID Triage will be used by NCDC to conduct a risk assessment of contacting COVID-19.
INFOMEDICS – it will be used to disseminate health information and will be used to limit the spread of fake news about COVID-19.
MTN will also be funding and mentoring three out of the seven startups. They include Wellvis Health, GLOEPID, and My Service Agent. The startups have pitched to MTN on Friday, 24th April 2020, and will be advised on the required technical, business, and functional skills to scale.
From over 500 applicants, 15 were selected to pitch virtually to a panel of judges and seven were selected. Another set of startups will soon be announced for the second cohort.
Source: Techgist Africa
