Apply for the Uni:nnovators Startup-in-Residence Program, which is designed to inspire and assist creative students from specific universities in Africa in generating fresh and innovative ideas.
About the Uni:nnovators Startup-in-Residence Program
Co-Creation Hub, along with Make-IT in Africa, a project by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is organizing this program to help and support innovation in Africa. Co-Creation Hub organized this program to help 30 student-led innovations in Nigeria, Namibia, and Kenya. The goal is to make academic institutions more involved in the growing innovation ecosystem in Africa.
The Uni:nnovators Startup-in-Residence Program details
The selected student teams will learn how to improve their research-based ideas and create models for Greentech and smart city solutions in areas like Agriculture, Energy, Circular Economy, Water, and Healthcare.
After they present their ideas, 18 teams will get the chance to exchange knowledge with top researchers and even travel to Germany for more learning. They will also get funding and advice to turn their ideas into real products and work with industries if needed.
The program will end with a two-day summit in Nairobi, Kenya, where the chosen teams will present their ideas to international investors and important people. This event aims to show how vital Higher Education Institutions are for innovation in Africa.
Co-Creation Hub will partner with six Higher Education institutions in the selected countries: the University of Ibadan and University of Lagos in Nigeria, the University of Namibia and Namibia University of Science and Technology in Namibia, and Riara University and the University of Nairobi in Kenya.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Startup-in-Residence Program, you need to meet these criteria:
- Student Status: You must be a student enrolled at one of the universities mentioned earlier (University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, University of Namibia, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Riara University, or University of Nairobi).
- Degree Level: You should specify whether you are pursuing a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate degree.
- Travel Capability: You must be able to travel within your country and abroad, so you need to have a valid passport before the travel date.
- Creativity & Innovation: Your idea must be innovative and original, preferably based on research.
- Viability & Feasibility: Your idea should be realistic and practical, meaning it must solve a specific problem for a specific group of customers and have a reasonably sized market.
- Scope: Your idea must align with the focus of the program, as outlined in the program overview.
- Team Skills: You should have the ability or skill set to develop and implement the proposed solution.
Timeline
Here is a schedule of the activities for the Startup-in-Residence Program :
- Design Sprint (6 Weeks): Over the course of 6 weeks, participants will attend three workshops, with each workshop taking place every two weeks. These workshops will focus on generating ideas, using design thinking, and creating solutions that are centered around the needs of people.
- Demo Day: After the Design Sprint, each team will get the chance to showcase their solutions and prototypes to a panel of industry experts, including investors, industry stakeholders, and members of the university community. Out of the 30 startup teams, only 18 will move on to the next phase of the program.
- Knowledge Exchange & Trip to Germany: In collaboration with Make-IT in Africa, CcHUB will find top research institutions and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Germany that match the areas of focus of the startup teams. These institutions will provide mentorship and guidance to the students and teams.
- Industry Deployment Sprint (8 Weeks): The 18 selected startups will have an exciting opportunity to work and stay in innovation hubs located within their own campuses. During this two-month period, CcHUB will directly support and guide the teams in launching their solutions into the marketplace for real customers to use.
- Grand Demo Day + Summit in Nairobi: The program will conclude with a grand demo day event in Nairobi, Kenya. All 18 startups from the three countries will present demonstrations of their products or solutions. They will also share the progress they have made in the marketplace and their future plans for their startups.
How to Apply
To apply for the Uni:nnovators Startup-in-Residence Program click on the application link and fill out the information appropriately.
Overview
Types of opportunity: Start-up Competition, Training, Funding.
Deadline: 4th of August 2023
Open to: University Students
Location: Germany
Organizer: Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB)
Country: Nigeria, Kenya, and Namibia
Inquiry
For more information about Make-IT in Africa visit www.make-it.africa
For further information on CcHUB please contact: Jude Adejuwon: jude@cchub.africa or call +234 (01) 2950555
Visit the official CcHUB Uni:nnovators Startup-in-Residence Program website
