Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [08/04/2020]

Johannesburg-based startup Epione.net launched epione.net in Zimbabwe today.

The offering, already available in South Africa, is an online pre-screening symptom checker that connects stakeholders in the healthcare sector, enabling a seamless patient journey.

This, as a number of other organisations and startups — including Ilara Health, Kwara, Bridgement, Savca and the Western Cape government — have launched apps and platforms that can assist African startups tackle the pandemic.

With the coronavirus (Covid-19) headlining news all over the world, Ventureburn has launched a regular daily roundup on the virus and how it is affecting Africa’s tech startup sector.

Those with any news releases relating to Covid-19 and Africa’s tech startup sector can send these to editor@memeburn.com.

SA healthtech startup Epione.net launched its online pre-screening symptom checker, in Zimbabwe today

Here then is the latest on the coronavirus and African tech startups:

Symptom checker now available in Zimbabwe: Johannesburg-based startup Epione.net in Zimbabwe today launched epione.net, an online pre-screening symptom checker that connects stakeholders in the healthcare sector, enabling a seamless patient journey. The startup’s platform is currently live in two Soweto hospitals, where the startup is running a pilot, and is also available to anyone who downloads the app. The application allows patients to monitor the evolution of their symptoms and prompts them to seek medical attention when appropriate. Patients are then given options of screening doctors that they can book and a case flow is created on the platform which tracks their progress. The startup was founded in 2017 by Zimbabwean Garikai Govati (pictured above, left with his team) and to date has raised about $750 000 according to Govati. “We will be announcing a few partnerships in the coming weeks to accelerate our growth not only in SA, but the rest of Africa,” he said.

Jump app for Western Cape: The Western Cape government yesterday in an announcement unveiled its “Jump for entrepreneurs” app, what it calls a one-stop-shop for existing and potential business owners in the Western Cape to get all the resources they need to start, scale and grow their companies. The app includes a map-driven database of over 4000 small businesses and service providers spread across the Western Cape.

Savca help for small businesses: The Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (Savca) has launched a support platform for small businesses in collaboration with its membership network. Savca CEO Tanya van Lill yesterday said that over 1100 hours have so far been pledged to the platform, adding that the number is likely to rise over the coming days. To utilise the support platform, business owners will be required to provide company details and basic financial information. Savca will use the information to determine if such a business is warranted in accessing mentoring and then match the business with an appropriate Savca member.

Bridgement offers free plug-in: New SA government regulations issued in terms of the Disaster Management Act, require all South African website owners to provide a link to the Department of Health’s Covid-19 portal on their landing page. Fintech company Bridgement is offering a free plugin on the official WordPress directory, which can be downloaded directly from Bridgement’s website. The plugin (see here for details on how to install it) simply inserts a subtle link to the government page and will ensure your site is 100% compliant with the new regulation.

Support for savings co-operatives: Berlin and Nairobi based fintech startup Kwara yesterday announced the launch of its Kwara Pronto digital banking platform which it will offer free for three months to users, in an effort to help savings and credit co-operatives to remain in operation and continue serving members during the Covid-19 time. Kwara was founded by David Hwan and Cynthia Wandia in 2018 with founding partner Finparx, a Berlin-based impact oriented startup studio. Kwara claims to serve over 10 savings and credit co-operatives which together have more than 27 000 members. The platform currently has over 8 billion Kenyan shillings (over $75-million) in assets under management.

Readiness package for clinics: Kenyan healthtech Ilara Health, a startup that provides affordable diagnostic equipment to patients and healthcare providers in peri-urban areas, has launched a readiness package that will allow Kenyan clinics and pharmacies to prepare for the Covid-19 pandemic. The readiness package will include among other things self-assessment chatbot and clinic-based triage tools for symptom checking, said Emilian Popa, CEO and co-founder of Ilara Health in a statement yesterday. The startup last year raised $735 000 (see this story). The startup was founded in 2018 by Popa, Amaan Banwait and Hannes Eckmayr.

Read more: Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [07/04/2020]
Read more: Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [06/04/2020]
Read more: Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [03/04/2020]
Read more: Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [02/04/2020]
Read more: Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [01/04/2020]

Editor’s note (9 April 2020): Kwara clarified in an email to Ventureburn that it serves over 10 savings and credit co-operatives which include Kenya Bankers Sacco Ltd in Kenya. Together these organisations have more than 27 000 members.

Featured image (from left to right): Epione.net founder and CEO Garikai Govati, with Rhibhi Matinyi (CSO), Jessica Chivinge (COO) and Farai Chikumbu (CTO) (Supplied)