Three Nigerian tech startups, Afrilean International, Healthbotcis Limited, and Tiny Hearts Technology are the recipients of the inaugural Digital Innovation Awards from the American Business Council and the US Chamber of Commerce’s US-Africa Business Centre (USAfBC).
The award is aimed at encouraging digital innovators whose products or services have facilitated creative solutions in the midst of the pandemic while positively impacting Nigerian society.
“Nigeria, with one of the largest youth populations on the continent, has long been a thriving hub for digital innovation and entrepreneurship. The US Chamber is pleased to recognise Nigeria’s budding young innovators and to support their growth,” Scott Eisner, President of the US Chamber’s US-Africa Business Center. “As the world navigates the pandemic, we see the critical role digital innovation plays in growing the West African economy and addressing current and future global challenges.”
The winners were selected from a pool of 112 applications later reduced to 12 startups. The final 12 startups were asked to submit a two-minute pitch and interview in front of a panel of judges from across the private sector, academia, and Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
Those 12 start-ups were then narrowed to the top three firms in the Digital Entrepreneurship competition. Based on pre-conference interviews and live voting from conference participants, USAfBC announced during the U.S.-Nigeria Digital Economy Conference that Afrilearn International came in first, Healthbotics Limited came in second, and Tiny Hearts Technology came in third. T The start-ups will receive mentorship and cash valued at $40,000 divided respectively by their placement in the competition. The award was sponsored by Zenith Bank and other US Tech companies supporting the conference.
Afrilearn is an education technology startup that leverages highly trained teachers, animators, and developers to deliver an affordable, world-class education for Africans.
Healthbotics uses its “Lend an Arm” platform to increase voluntary blood donation in Nigeria and to deliver quality blood and blood products to patients in dire need, particularly in remote areas.
Tiny Hearts addresses the chronic shortage of phytotherapy treatment for jaundiced-born babies with its “Crib A’glow” unit – deploying these treatments to community primary healthcare centers and other medical facilities across Nigeria saving lives at birth.
The winners were announced at the third iteration of the USAfBC’s digital transformation event series, which- focuses on enabling the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy. Themes include workforce and skills development, unlocking the benefits of trade, and enhancing cybersecurity. The event convened the public and private sectors of both countries for a conversation about the need for a strong U.S.-Nigeria partnership to deliver a trusted, responsible, and the inclusive digital economy.
“The American Business Council working with the US Chamber are committed to collaborating with private sector stakeholders to drive the potentials in the startup innovation space in Nigeria. We appreciate the support of the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy to this project and to the overall growth of the sector,” Margaret Olele CEO and Executive Secretary of the American Business Council said.
