Merck in association with the MEST Incubator in Cape Town is inviting Southern African startups involved in innovation around healthcare, life sciences, or performance materials to apply for Germany-based Merck Accelerator‘s Cape Town satellite programme. The Southern Africa countries where applications are expected include: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Areas of interest
Healthcare Access Solutions
Born out of the Merck innovation spirit for healthier people worldwide, currently, a pilot consisting of 5 Points of Care facilities at high standards of quality are being set up in Kenya. The platform concept will provide for medication (Dx/OTC) and nurse services enhanced through mobile and digital health solutions.
To augment the digital access solution services, we are looking for innovative and ambitious startups with a sustainable business model idea in the following areas: delivery of healthcare, financing therapies, healthcare connected logistics, community self-service enablement and affordable, faster diagnosis.
Biosensing and Interfaces
We are looking at generating novel insights and building new business models around the integration of electronics and biology. This will enable us to develop groundbreaking medical treatment solutions, based on a unique mix of sensor data retrieval, machine learning, and curation expertise.
Precision Farming
We are looking at creating combinations of materials, analytics, and services that will help create a new kind of farming that is no longer dependent on the blanket application of agrochemicals to fields to feed an expanding global population in a more sustainable and ethical way.
What do you get?
The selected startups will be invited for a Pitch Day in Cape Town. The best startup will have the opportunity to collaborate with Merck globally in our Headquarters.
Who should apply
We are looking for startups that fulfil the following criteria:
- Early stage startups that are not more than 4 years old
- Startups in the fields of healthcare, Life Sciences, Performance Materials and other search fields such as Bio-sensing & Interfaces, and Precision Farming.
- Startups with at least 2 cofounders
Awards for the winners
- Prize Money ($ 3,000)
- Trip to Merck Headquarters in Darmstadt to pitch in front of Merck experts
- Opportunity to work on a collaboration project with Innovation Center and internal project teams
- Access to Merck Innovation Center online training platform Train to Innovate Curriculum
- Office space at MEST
Application open from May 21st to July 20th, 2018. Click here to apply.
