This archive report was first published on 23 April 2020.
On April 2, 2020, seven startups pitched their innovative solutions to combat the COVID-19 pandemic at a virtual Demo Day. Ventures Platform and its partners invested $21,000 in these startups, which are working on various projects to mitigate the rapid spread of the virus in Nigeria.
The seven startups, which received $3,000 equity-free grant funding each, include Loftyinc Allied Partners Ltd, Silverchip Fox Consulting, Bluechip Technologies, AGS Tribe, ACIOE, Lakunle Runsewe, Manasseh Egedegbe, Venture Garden Group, NESG, Sterling Bank, and the Lagos State Science and Research Innovation Council (LASRIC).
According to Kola Aina, founder of Ventures Platform, the energy and focus of the startups were remarkable. He noted that he had attended many Demo Days, but this virtual event was unique in its energy and purpose.
The Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) is working with three of the startups: Prunedge, Wellvis Health, and Infodemics. Prunedge has integrated its bot and app technology into NCDC systems, while Wellvis Health has integrated its COVID Triage interface into NCDC systems. Infodemics is working with NCDC to stop the spread of fake news.
MTN, one of Africa's leading telcos, is supporting three of the finalists to help them scale solutions that will have a significant positive impact on the current pandemic. The three teams receiving support from MTN are Wellvis Health, Prunedge, and iQube Labs. Wellvis Health will use MTN's USSD set up to push out its triage tool to underserved communities. Prunedge will have its app and site zero-rated to benefit as many people as possible. iQube Labs will use MTN's toll-free phone line and SIP trunking services to handle call routings in their thousands.
Following its support for the three start-ups, MTN is organizing a pitch-a-thon on April 24. The teams will pitch their startup ideas, and volunteers will be able to support them and develop solutions to assist the COVID-19 pandemic, depending on their areas of expertise.
