Futurize and AstraZeneca launch pioneering HealthTech incubator “FuturizeU” in Africa

AFRICA — Futurize, in partnership with pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca and co-funded by Bristol Myers Squibb, has officially introduced “FuturizeU,” a groundbreaking HealthTech incubator program set to run from September 12 to November 17, 2023.

The primary objective of FuturizeU is to nurture early-stage university startups in Africa’s healthcare sector, equipping the next generation of healthcare entrepreneurs with the essential tools to navigate the complexities of launching innovative ventures.

FuturizeU is dedicated to fostering innovative solutions that tackle pressing healthcare equity issues and the early diagnosis of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across the African continent.

Leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), the program aims to accelerate meaningful advancements in healthcare while tapping into the region’s vast untapped potential.

Teams from partner universities across Sub-Saharan Africa, including university students, alumni, and groups from the previous two Fuel Africa cohorts, will participate with transformative healthcare startup concepts.

A hub of knowledge sharing and mentorship

At its core, FuturizeU serves as a hub for knowledge sharing, mentorship, and collaboration. Over an intensive eight-week curriculum, participants will delve into essential startup principles, covering critical aspects like product-market fit, financial strategies, and practical go-to-market approaches.

Seasoned advisors and industry experts will guide and mentor aspiring entrepreneurs, providing them with valuable networking opportunities to nurture their innovative ideas.

Rhea Singhla, CEO at Futurize, highlighted the significance of incubator programs for African youth, emphasizing their role as dynamic launchpads that unlock the latent potential of young entrepreneurs.

These initiatives offer essential tools, mentorship, and resources needed to translate innovative ideas into impactful solutions.

Demo day in Nairobi, Kenya

A notable feature of FuturizeU is the opportunity for participants to showcase their startups at the FuturizeU Demo Day in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 17, 2023.

This platform bridges the gap between funding and collaboration, facilitating growth, sustainable development, and the nurturing of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Jonathan Calder, Head of Digital and IT for the African Cluster at AstraZeneca, expressed the company’s unwavering commitment to improving health equity and creating sustainable impact in Africa.

He stated that through the FuturizeU HealthTech Incubator program, young innovators in Africa would have an excellent launchpad to join AstraZeneca in delivering pioneering solutions to enhance patient outcomes.

Selected startups

The program garnered a remarkable response as applications flooded in from healthcare entrepreneurs across the continent.

Consequently, ten startups with exceptional concepts have been carefully selected to participate in FuturizeU.

These startups hail from various African countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania. Among the chosen startups are Vectorgram, Pulsesetters, Tawi, Trakafya, MariTest, CanisaHealth, TensorScan, SuperOriginals, Health4Moni, and PharmaGoods.

Their innovative ideas and potential for impact have earned them a coveted spot in the FuturizeU program, where they will have the opportunity to further develop their healthcare solutions.

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