For startups in Africa tackling health issues, this is probably the best time to source for funding from investors. As part of its promise to contribute to the raging global health crisis, The Bulb Africa, an Enov8 Solution’s tech hub has awarded $25,000 in investment funding to Emergency Response Africa through its #ALLoverCOVID19 initiative.
“We are very excited for these ladies as they have not only built a company that is solving real problems in Africa, but they have represented the ingenuity that comes out of this continent. It is also a plus that this company is women led as it is in line with our goal to invest in/support 50 women led tech startups over the next five years,” Folake Owodunni and Maame Yaa Afriyie Poku of ERA to the Bulb startup family said.
Here Is What You Need To Know
- As a way to respond to the global health crisis, The Bulb Africa launched the #ALLoverCOVID19 initiative in March this year to offer support in a variety of ways to people who need it.
- In pursuit of this initiative, The Bulb held discussions on health safety, the role of technology and projections into possible economic and business implications of the Covid-19 pandemic. The company took the steps further by providing food items to hundreds of people around its Jibowu community as part of being socially responsible.
- The Bulb took further steps by calling for tech startups solving problems in healthcare to pitch for up to $25,000 in investment to help scale up their business. In a statement by the Programme Manager, Mo Durosinmi-Etti, the company is out to accelerate a startup with a viable healthcare solution.
- From dozens of entries received to pitch at the #ALLoverCOVID19 Healthcare accelerator, only 5 businesses made it to the finale and presented to a team of carefully selected judges.
- The panel of judges included Tosin Osunkoya — Head of Investment, Commercio Partners and Founder, The Bulb Africa, Ife Durosinmin-Etti — Investor and Founder, AGS Tribe, Ife Oyedele — Entrepreneur and Co-founder, KOBO360 and Damilola Oladosu, Ph. D — Manager, Disruption and Innovation Practices, PwC Nigeria.
- After careful reviews of the 5 startup finalists with keen attention to their presentation, solution viability, team composition and market research among other things, the judges unanimously voted Emergency Response Africa as the winner.
- While unveiling of the winner on May 1, Mo expressed that the finalists’ presented businesses are viable and deserving of support. However, only one company will take on the investment.
Read more: Novastar Ventures Launches A New $108m African Fund II To Invest In Startups In East And West Africa
A Look At Startup Emergency Response Africa, The Winner
- Emergency Response Africa (ERA) is a healthcare technology company which provides medical care to victims at the scene of the emergency and facilitates access to advanced hospital care. It emerged as the unanimous winner of the #ALLoverCovid19 Pitch Initiative by proving that it is possible to combine emergency response training with intelligent dispatch, communications technology and alternative medical transportation. Through this, ERA is creating a sustainable and scalable solution in emergency medical services in Nigeria.
- The Bulb also extended gestures to the first runner-up, Medipal, by granting it $10,000 in AWS credit. Medipal will also be enrolled in The Bulb’s Incubator programme.
Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions.
He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance.
He is also an award-winning writer.