CFAs: timbuktoo HealthTech Startup Accelerator Programme

Africa’s HealthTech landscape presents both challenges and opportunities, with a projected $11 billion digital health market by 2025. To address critical healthcare gaps, there’s an urgent need to establish a robust HealthTech hub.

This initiative aims to foster startups developing groundbreaking solutions in deep tech, hardware, and advanced technologies. Key areas include AI-driven diagnostics, locally manufactured medical devices, and biotechnology tailored to African needs.  The hub can provide a foundation for building a flourishing full stack HealthTech industry.

Focus Areas

• Startups with an emphasis in the following areas are strongly encouraged:
  • Disease Prevention: – Early detection technologies – Predictive health analytics – Lifestyle intervention
  • Clinical Preventive Frameworks and Community Advocacy: – Public health outreach solutions
  • Community health worker support systems – Health education and awareness platforms
  • Vaccine and Medicine Production: – Novel vaccine development technologies – Local pharmaceutical manufacturing solutions – Drug discovery platforms
  • Medical Robotics and Automation (MRA): – Surgical robotics – Automated diagnostic systems – AI-assisted medical procedures
  • Genomics: – Personalized medicine solutions – Genetic testing and counselling platforms – Gene therapy technologies
  • Biomedical Systems: – Advanced medical imaging – Biomedical sensor technologies – Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
  • Patient Care Journey: – Telemedicine and remote patient monitoring – Electronic health records and data management – Patient engagement and adherence solutions
  • Pandemic/health emergencies management 
  • Malnutrition and stunting 

Benefits

• Membership in the pioneer cohort of timbuktoo HealthTech Hub and entire Timbuktoo ecosystem
• Mentorship from industry experts and seasoned entrepreneurs.
• Equity-free funding of up to $100,000 USD.
• Networking with potential partners, collaborators, and customers.
• Access to investor networks.
• Resources and support to accelerate growth and impact.
• Access to networks and agencies within the larger UN system
• Access to networks and resources within the AfCTA system
• Impact and shape a pan-African HealthTech evolution

Criteria

• The timbuktoo HealthTech hub aims to support innovative startups that meet the following key criteria:
  • Technology-Enabled Solution:
    • Your startup must have a technology-enabled solution at its core, utilising digital tools and platforms to drive innovation and efficiency in the financial sector.
  • Contribution Towards the SDGs:
    • Your solution should align with and contribute towards one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, addressing pressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and more.
  • High Scalability:
    • Your startup should demonstrate high scalability either through digital distribution channels or the ability to scale sales rapidly across markets.
  • Defensible Position:
    • Your startup should have a defensible position, whether through Intellectual Property (IP) rights, network effects, domain expertise, or regional market dominance, ensuring sustainable competitive advantage in the HealthTech landscape.
  • Innovation and uniqueness:
    • Novel approach to solving health challenges, potential for disruptive impact in the healthcare sector
  • Technical feasibility:
    • Sound scientific/technical basis for the solution, realistic development timeline
  • Regulatory compliance:
    • Awareness of relevant healthcare regulations, strategy for obtaining necessary approvals

Eligibility Criteria

• Groundbreaking founders and innovators across Africa who are already building startups that meet the following criteria:
  • Startups with founders who are nationals of an African Country
  • Startups must be registered and operating within Africa
  • Startups must have been in operation for a minimum of one year
  • Startups must address development challenges
  • Must be a technology-based solution
  • Startups must have a Minimum Viable Solution (MVS) (regulated and licensed if necessary)

For more information, visit UNDP.