Chekkit, a Nigerian anti-counterfeiting solution has been named among the 12 startups that will participate in the 8th Cohort of Merck Accelerator.
Chekkit is a Nigerian startup that provides real-time verification of quality products, consumer intelligence and supply chain tracking services to producers of high-quality human-friendly products, to ensure complete product integrity.
Chekkit was founded by Dare Odumade and Jida Asare, at Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology, (MEST), in Accra, Ghana in 2018.
The journey to Darmstadt, Germany where the Merck Accelerator would be held started with the Nigerian startup being among the four selected for the Merck Accelerator Africa Startup Program. Chekkit apparently emerged tops at the Merck Accelerator Africa Startup Program which is why it is going to Darmstadt, Germany.
It has been a rollercoaster ride so far for Chekkit. It is among the startup that will showcase at the second edition of Facebook and Co-creation Hub annual Innovation Showcase Week (ISW 2020).
Chekki and the 11 other startups were chosen from a pool of 503 applicants across 65 countries.
Over the next three months, each team will receive individual support and coaching from experts within the Merck network, as well as up to €50,000 in funding and the opportunity to join the Merck China Innovation Hub in Shanghai for an extension of the program.
Commenting, Munya Chivasa, Head of the Merck Accelerator said: “Working with startups has brought numerous opportunities to different areas of Merck and we are constantly adapting and evolving these programs to make them even more fruitful for both sides.”
The Merck Accelerator was designed to establish collaborations and partnerships between startups and Merck. These collaborations will create a win-win situation for both parties, enabling experienced Merck employees to co-create, conduct pilot projects and run proof of concepts with highly talented science and technology entrepreneurs – all supported by a highly flexible working environment and the Accelerator team.
