This archive report was first published on 19 June 2020.
Kenyan Innovator Wins Ksh2 Million for Electric Wheelchair Innovation ¶
On June 19, 2020, a Kenyan innovator, Lincoln Wamae, received a Ksh2 million cash prize for designing electric wheelchairs that can withstand rough terrains, including untarmacked roads and portholes.
Wamae, the founder of Linccell Technology, won the prize through the Innovate Now Accelerator Programme, which is implemented by Amref Enterprises Limited and Global Disability Innovation Hub, alongside local ecosystem partners and is part of the UK aid-funded AT2030 programme.
Wamae's electric wheelchair is designed to be convenient for both indoor and outdoor use, making it a game-changer for people with disabilities in Kenya.
Linccell Technology, a startup based in Nairobi's Githurai 45 estate, has been leading in the electric personal mobility industry in Kenya. The company has designed, built, and delivered more than a dozen electric wheelchairs, bicycles, and scooters in Kenya.
Wamae stated, "When I started LT a year ago, our mission was clear - we wanted to provide effortless, durable, and affordable electric personal mobility for all in Africa. To-date we are on course with that mission."
The Innovate Now Accelerator Programme provides a six-month acceleration programme that includes mentorship, workshops, guest lectures, and hands-on disability expertise to help startups reach product-market fit and become investable and scale ready.
