IFC in call for East African healthtech startups to apply for TechEmerge programme

The World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) has launched a call for healthtech startups in East Africa to apply for its TechEmerge Health East Africa programme.

The IFC launched the programme, which aims to match startups with health-care firms, last week at CES 2020 as part of the World Bank’s CES Global Tech Challenge.

Applications close on 25 February and finalists are expected to be announced in April, with the programme getting underway in June.

The launch of the East Africa programme follows the successful implementation of the programme in the healthcare sectors in India and Brazil, the IFC said last week.

Healthtech startups have until 25 February to apply for the TechEmerge Health East Africa programme

Through the programme the IFC aims to match technology solutions from around the world with local partners in emerging markets to conduct pilot projects and build commercial partnerships.

The IFC said over 20 leading private healthcare providers in Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia will be involved in the programme.

Startups that are selected for the programme will have access to a pool of up to $1-million in funding to support pilot projects.

Those startups selected will also get support from the TechEmerge team to pilot their tech solutions in the East African market, with the ultimate goal of wider commercial deployment of the technologies.

To stand a chance of being selected startups must have a proven product, and must have installed at least one health system.

Applicants must have a privately owned company, typically with less than 50 employees and have raised less than $100-million in venture capital funding (with some exceptions).

In addition, applicants must demonstrate managerial capacity and scalability and have the ability to allocate time and resources to participate in the project, including attending periodic meetings.

Featured image: World Health Organisation via Twitter