Rinchi
TechInAfrica – This year will be the second year of African Innovation Challenge competition launched by Johnson & Johnson. The Challenge aims to identify innovators and entrepreneurs across six African countries, including Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. Moreover, it seeks out innovators and entrepreneurs who bring good impact on African society through their innovative technologies, products, and solutions.
The Challenge will focus on finding sustainable solutions to major issues in the sector of health and environment in Africa.
Speaking about the Challenge, the Chief Technology Officer of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., Josh Ghaim said, “The growing number of innovation hubs throughout Africa is sparking a new generation of entrepreneurs who are innovating and finding new solutions for issues facing their communities,”
Ghaim, moreover added, “Our goal is to expand our support for the region’s entrepreneurs by pushing the boundaries of creative solutions to meet several areas of urgent need. With six new solution categories, Africa Innovation Challenge 2.0 represents an extraordinary opportunity for the region’s growing community of innovators to showcase new ideas with the potential for broad societal impact.”
The Vice President, Innovation, Global Public Health and Science Policy Communication of Johnson & Johnson, Seema Kumar said that the company has taken initiatives working with entrepreneurs around the world in order to find innovative solutions in the health sector. Expectedly, the innovations will bring benefit to everyone.
Kumar commented, “This is an exciting time to be part of Africa’s rapidly advancing innovation ecosystem, which recognizes that people and patients across the continent are waiting for urgent solutions. The Africa Innovation Challenge provides an important platform to support emerging entrepreneurs and help accelerate the development of unique, sustainable health care and environmental solutions.”
Speaking of this year’s Africa Innovation Challenge, it is to discuss the health issues faced by African countries and local communities, then to find sustainable solutions for the issues. As the promotor, Johnson & Johnson will support the African entrepreneurs in creating healthcare products as well as services.
One of the Challenge‘s criteria is that participants have to demonstrate their concept of ideas that contain long-term solutions. The winners will receive approximately US$50,000 of fund and a mentorship from Johnson & Johnson Family of Company, including scientists, engineers, and business managers.
Participants from all of the African countries are encouraged to apply the Challenge; individuals, teams, or companies. The criteria of the Challenge are including; the solutions or ideas included in at least one of the six challenge categories, the idea or solution is creative and innovative, and the idea is sustainable. Moreover, the applicants also have to conceptualize their ideas and how the award help them to fulfil their solutions within the timeframe of a year.
