Securing Health AND Prosperity, One Community at a Time

Hack for Global Health Security Thinking with Localized Solutions for Africa

Be CHALLENGED to innovate for solutions of the most pressing healthcare challenges at the crossroads of primary healthcare and global health security. We’re uniting innovators, developers, and health professionals to create game-changing solutions for your county or regional economic bloc in Kenya, East Africa.

Do you have a burning passion and ideas to drive change in primary healthcare for pandemic preparedness and global health security? Collaboratively, we can be inspired by lessons learnt to think globally and act with localized solutions.

Be the change. Innovate. Impact. Transform.

Apply now

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Why Participate?

Collaborate with Leading Experts : Gain access to experienced mentors and industry leaders who are experts in healthcare, technology, business development, and social impact. Mentors will help guide your team from ideation to implementation.
Solve Real-World Challenges : Your solution could help overcome some of the most pressing health issues faced by communities in East Africa, improving access to essential healthcare services.
Win Seed Funding & Mentorship : The top 3 teams will receive seed funding and hands-on technical support to accelerate and scale their ideas, turning them into viable products with the potential for widespread impact.
Scale Your Impact : Develop solutions that are not just prototypes, but products that can be used by people at the last mile—those who are often most vulnerable to health crises.

Hackathon Goal & Problem Statement

The goal of this hackathon is to empower university students and early-stage healthcare startups to create solutions that address global health insecurity challenges, specifically focusing on primary healthcare (PHC). These solutions should not only address immediate health needs but also promote long-term health resilience in East African communities.

Problem Statement

We are looking for teams to develop technologies, platforms, and systems that can improve primary healthcare delivery in the region, particularly in underserved and rural communities. Solutions should focus on increasing access, affordability, and quality of healthcare services, particularly in the face of global health emergencies like pandemics and climate-related health risks.

Your project could address a variety of challenges, such as:

01. Building digital tools for remote diagnosis and treatment.
02. Developing cost-effective medical devices for rural clinics.
03. Enhancing healthcare infrastructure through data analytics.
04. Creating sustainable models for community health interventions.

About the Hackathon

Timeline & Key Dates

Hackathon Timeline

The hackathon will unfold in key phases, with each phase providing a set of activities and milestones. Below are the major dates and events.

24

November

04th-18th

Call for Applications

24

November

19th-25th

Shortlisting of participants

24

November

25th-28th

contact participants

24

Nov. - Dec.

29th-06th

Preparation for virtual pitch session, to select finalists

24

December

09th-13th

Virtual pitch session

24

December

16th-18th

Finalists linked to mentors

25

January

06th-24th

Minimum of two, 2-hour virtual sessions on how to prepare for a pitch, thinking through a Business model.

25

January

27th

Pre-conference pitch preparation and practice.

25

January

28th-30th

Main pitch and prize ceremony

How to Apply

We are looking for two groups of participants:

01. University and College Students:

Form a team of 3-5 members. You can form teams within your university or collaborate with members from other universities.

02. Early-Stage Healthcare Startups:

Early-stage startups working on solutions in healthcare can also participate.

Applicaton Steps:

01. Register Your Team: Provide basic details, including the names of your team members and the team lead's contact information.
02. Describe Your Solution: Submit a brief description of the healthcare challenge you're addressing and the proposed solution. Explain how it aligns with the hackathon’s goals.
03. Submit Supporting Documents: If available, submit any initial product prototypes, sketches, or market research that supports your idea.
04. Pitch Your Idea: Shortlisted teams will pitch their ideas in front of our panel of judges in January 2025.

Judging Criteria

The teams will be evaluated on several key criteria:

01. Problem-Solution Fit

Does your solution solve a significant problem faced by East African communities in primary healthcare? Do you have data or feedback to support this?

02. Traction

Have you demonstrated progress? This can include milestones such as prototype development, user testing, or partnerships with local health organizations.

03. Product-Market Fit

Is there evidence that your solution addresses a market need? Do you have early adopters or proof that your solution is viable and scalable?

04. Business Model

How will you monetize your solution? Do you have a clear plan for reaching customers and generating revenue? Is your model sustainable in the long term?

05. Impact Potential

How scalable is your solution? Can it be extended to remote or underserved areas? What is the potential for improving the quality of life for individuals in these communities?

Mentorship Program

Our mentorship program is designed to help participants refine their solutions and improve their chances of success. We will connect teams with mentors who have expertise in healthcare, business development, technology, and social impact. Mentors will provide guidance on everything from technical development to market strategy and user validation.

How to Apply for Mentorship

Teams will be matched with mentors based on their solution’s focus. To apply, simply fill out the mentor request form during the registration process.

01. Who can participate?

University and college students (in teams of 3-5 members), as well as early-stage health startups working on solutions for East Africa’s primary healthcare challenges.

02. What types of ideas are you looking for?

Solutions that address challenges in primary healthcare, particularly in underserved or rural areas. This can include digital health tools, affordable medical devices, healthcare delivery models, and more.

03. Do I need to have a working prototype?

Not required, but a prototype or proof of concept is highly encouraged. Teams will be judged on the potential impact and feasibility of their ideas.

04. How will the judging work?

Teams will submit their solutions and pitch their ideas to a panel of judges. The top 10 teams will then present their projects at the Demo Day, where final winners will be selected.

FAQS

Our Partners

This hackathon is made possible by a coalition of organizations and stakeholders committed to addressing health security in East Africa:

01. Kenya Vision 2030
02. Jumuiya Economic Development Secretariat
03. University of Nebraska Medical Center – Global Center for Health Security.
04. Africa CDC

Our Sponsors

Special thanks to our sponsors who are helping make this hackathon a reality:

01. TechHealth Innovations Ltd.
02. The Global Fund
03. Africa Digital Health Alliance

Pitching Guidelines

On Pitching & Demo Day, each team will have 10 minutes to present their solution to the panel of judges, followed by 7 minutes of Q&A. Teams will be evaluated based on their problem-solution fit, impact, scalability, and business model.

Pitching Tips

01. Clearly articulate the problem you are solving and why it’s important.
02. Explain how your solution is unique and how it addresses health challenges at the community level.
03. Demonstrate the scalability of your solution, particularly for remote or underserved areas.

Demo Day & Awards Ceremony

01. Date: January 28th-30th

Join us for an exciting finale, where the top teams will present their solutions and compete for seed funding, mentorship, and industry exposure.