Sanofi announces AfricaTech 2020 challenge, calls for entries

Sanofi, a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the lives of people worldwide, is calling on technology entrepreneurs and startups in Nigeria to participate in its 2020 AfricaTech Challenge.

Viva Technology (VivaTech), is the biggest tech event in Europe. It gathers under one roof the brightest entrepreneurs, executives, investors, students and academics to collaborate, network, pitch, get inspired and showcase their innovations.

In the past four years, this 3-day annual event has become the biggest gateway in Europe for innovation actors worldwide.
AfricaTech is a lab dedicated by Sanofi at VivaTech to encourage open innovation by African technology startups. The
AfricaTech Challenge initiative is part of Sanofi’s strategy to promote entrepreneurship and development in the health sector in Africa.

This year, AfricaTech has announced four health challenges:
How to support patients with a digital health book in order to access information and make a decision.

How to help healthcare systems leapfrog from manual to smart logistics solution at the point of care.

How to improve financing and impact of innovative health solutions in Africa.

Sanofi Espoir Foundation’s challenge on how to improve maternal and neonatal health in sub-Saharan Africa.

Director, External Affairs at Sanofi Nigeria, Oladimeji Agbolade, said: “We are in search of affordable and user-friendly solutions from African start-ups, with at least a proof of concept with positive results, in at least one country in Africa. This initiative provides a unique opportunity for aspiring tech-preneurs in Nigeria to showcase their talent and provide real solutions to some of the issues currently plaguing the health sector.

“We invite startups from Nigeria to submit their solutions towards these challenges. This call for projects is free and open to all, closes on the 21st of February 2020.

Entries of selected start-ups will be invited to AfricaTech to pitch and demonstrate their solutions before an audience of Sanofi leaders, industry professionals and a jury during the VivaTech event held in Paris, France, on June 11-13, 2020. The jury will then select startups with the best ideas, who will have the opportunity to be coached, mentored and collaborate with Sanofi to scale their solutions.