The program is seeking startups with scalable, defendable solutions that leverage technology to address critical healthcare challenges and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Timbuktoo HealthTech Accelerator Program aims to foster a thriving ecosystem of startups developing innovative solutions in areas such as AI-driven diagnostics, locally manufactured medical devices, and biotechnology tailored to African needs. 

Criteria for Applicants:

• Technology-enabled solution: Startups must have a digital-first approach to their solutions.
• Contribution to SDGs: Solutions should align with and contribute to one or more of the UN SDGs.
• Scalability: Startups must have a clear path to growth and expansion.
• Defensibility: Startups should have a competitive advantage, such as intellectual property or domain expertise.
• Innovation: Startups must offer a novel approach to solving health challenges.
• Monetization strategy: Startups should have a clear plan for generating revenue.

Areas of Interest:

• Disease prevention
• Clinical preventive frameworks and community advocacy
• Vaccine and medicine production
• Medical robotics and automation
• Genomics
• Biomedical systems
• Patient care journey
• Pandemic/health emergencies management
• Malnutrition and stunting

Benefits for Selected Startups:

• Membership in the Timbuktoo HealthTech Hub ecosystem
• Mentorship from industry experts
• Equity-free funding of up to $100,000 USD
• Networking opportunities
• Access to investor networks
• Resources and support to accelerate growth

Application Process:

Interested startups can apply online at [https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Xtvls0QpN0iZ9XSIrOVDGUX3Ay1r98ZLhR07OQNsAPxUMlNIMERKNjBMSFUwUktHUDM0UktWUjVPNy4u&origin=lprLink&route=shorturl] by October 6, 2024.

Founded in 2019, Omnisient offers a unique solution that enables businesses to extract valuable insights from consumer data without compromising privacy.

The platform protects over 160 million consumer profiles and is currently used to assess credit risk and facilitate access to financial services for millions of underserved individuals.

The investment, led by Arise, a company focused on African financial services and fintech, will support Omnisient’s expansion into new markets and partnerships.

The company aims to create the world’s largest repository of alternative consumer data, empowering banks and insurers to extend financial services to a broader population.

“This investment aligns with our vision of using innovative fintech solutions to drive growth in Africa’s financial services sector,” said Gavin Tipper, CEO of Arise.

“Omnisient’s technology will help banks and data providers identify new customers, unlock new revenue streams, and foster financial inclusion.”

Omnisient’s co-founder, Jon Jacobson, expressed gratitude for the investment and emphasized the company’s commitment to creating a more inclusive financial ecosystem.

“We are excited to partner with Arise to expand our reach and make a positive impact on people’s lives,” he said.

The fresh capital will be used to expand the company’s operations into other East African countries.

Investors in the funding round included AHL Venture Partners, Everstrong Capital, and Beyond Capital Ventures.

The investment will support Ampersand’s goal of deploying 5 million electric motorcycles by 2033.

“This additional investment will accelerate the rollout of our EV energy technology and infrastructure to the mass market,” said Josh Whale, Ampersand CEO.

“We are closer than ever to achieving our goal of providing affordable, sustainable transportation solutions to millions of people across East Africa.”

Founded in 2016, Ampersand assembles and finances electric motorcycles in Rwanda. The company’s motorcycles are claimed to be 45% cheaper to operate and produce 75% fewer emissions than petrol alternatives.

Ampersand is now preparing for a Series B funding round to further scale its operations and increase production in Rwanda and Kenya.

The company recently announced a partnership with Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD to build 40,000 electric motorcycles in these countries by the end of 2026.

Led by EQ2 Ventures, the funding round also saw participation from Accion Venture Lab, Musha Ventures, Quona Capital, and existing investor CRE Ventures.

This latest investment follows a $1.5 million seed round raised in 2023.

Founded in 2021 by Ananth Raj Gudipati and Abhinav Reddy, Sukhiba Connect leverages WhatsApp as a primary operating system to provide a conversational commerce and CRM platform for medium and large enterprises.

The platform enables businesses to connect with customers, manage orders, accept payments, and provide customer service all within the popular messaging app.

The new funding will be used to accelerate Sukhiba Connect’s expansion into new markets and enhance its platform’s capabilities.

The startup aims to become the leading CRM and sales force automation tool in emerging markets, competing with other social commerce players like Kapu and MarketForce’s Chpter.

Sukhiba Connect has already experienced significant growth since its initial seed round, with operations in eight markets across Africa and India.

It has partnered with leading manufacturers, distributors, retail chains, and direct-to-consumer brands, serving over 35,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

“This seed extension marks a significant milestone for us,” said Gudipati. “It will enable us to scale our operations and enhance our SaaS platform to better serve our growing customer base.”