Africa: IAS Pharma Innovation Challenge 3.0

Every year, the IAS Pharma identifies and rewards individuals with impactful innovations across the manufacturing and digital health sectors. There is no doubt that there is a paradigm shift in healthcare with exponential growth in technologies driving the change in making care delivery less expensive, more efficient, and more accessible.

In furtherance of advancing the development of innovative solutions, IAS is hosting an innovation challenge pitch session for the period leading to the finale at the IAS Pharma 2023.

Innovation Categories Scope

• Healthcare
  • Sub-Saharan Africa bears a large percentage of the global disease burden in addition to the sheer shortage of healthcare professionals. They are seeking disruptive but efficient and sustainable innovative solutions to address the gaps and increase access to healthcare in Africa.
• Biotech
  • Funding is a big impediment to the Biotech industry and the aim is to enable meaningful biotech development. They are seeking innovations that directly contributes to the increasing demand for healthcare devices that are conducive to low resource environment.
• IT/Digital Health
  • They are on the lookout for digital and tech enabled tools that can connect people to treatment, support and care and improve health outcomes at the grassroots level of primary healthcare.
• Manufacturing/Supply Chain & Logistics
  • The increasing gap in Africa’s overall healthcare manufacturing explains lack of access to essential devices & products. They seek innovations that can support the local manufacturing and supply chain industries with effective in-country distribution systems that promote access to sustainable systems and equipment.

The Motivation

• To be an enabler and champion of complex clinical research and healthcare solutions.
• Provide financial support for compelling ideas among intellectual innovators.
• Create, train and mentor a pool of experienced and committed leaders who will provide strategic expertise and perspective for the health care sector.

Benefits to Winners

• The best innovators will get access to Xcene Research’s network and value chain, allowing them to further develop and grow their value proposition.
• Product development, distribution, and business modelling will be supported through NGN20,000,000.00 in equity investments for select businesses.
• Mentorship and support from Xcene Research as well as industry leaders in the chosen business industry.
• Recognition and exposure during the IAS 2023 event and on the IAS website.
• The winners will also have access to Xcene Research’s customer base and employee expertise to further bolster their operations.

Selection Criteria

• Businesses may operate in but not limited to the Financial Technology, E-Commerce, Education, Manufacturing and Agricultural sectors as it relates to the Healthcare Industry.
• Provision of total business valuation, percentage and valuation of shareholder equity up for financing.
• Business must have been in existence and duly registered with the Corporate Affairs commission for at least 3 years.
• Entries must demonstrate the potential for scale from proof of concept to long-term sustainability.
• Candidates must provide a corporate account with a commercial bank, statement of financial position and profit and loss statement for the last 3 years.
• Provision of concise business plan with 3–5-year business projection.
• Signed permission from your partners and/or shareholders.

For more information, visit Impact Africa Summit.