The Next Einstein Forum (NEF) has announced the 25 finalists for its Challenge of Invention to Innovation (Ci2i) competition.
The third edition of the competition, which takes place across five categories, will be held on March 10-11 in the NEF Innovation Salon in Nairobi, Kenya.
The 25 Ci2i finalists have been selected from 260 applications, and are all ambitious African innovators developing scalable solutions to local challenges in agriculture, integration and logistics, personalised and precision health, power and energy.
They will pitch for a US$25,000 prize in each category, and get connected to investors in a one-of-a-kind ‘Sciencepreneur Investor Meetup. The finalists will also attend a lab-style bootcamp, held before the NEF Global Gathering. The bootcamp will involve pitch preparation and investment readiness sessions.
Finalists were selected by reviewing potential for impact, technological readiness and the potential for commercialisation. Winners will be announced on March 13.
These are the 25 Ci2i finalists:
- Sadiq Temitayo from Nigeria for AirSynQ: An automated aerial surveillance system powered by balloon satellites, for monitoring oil and gas pipeline assets in a bid to curb oil theft and vandalism
- Addae Obeng Benjamin from Ghana for Aleph Engineering: Hardware and software solutions for enhancing physiotherapy in children with cerebral palsy
- Moussa Thiam from Senegal for CABA: A real-time hydroclimatic risk monitoring system used to track and provide flood risk information to low-income communities
- Philippa Ngaju Makobore from Uganda for ECGF: An affordable Electronically Controlled Gravity Feed Infusion Set (ECGF) that regulates and delivers intravenous fluids or medication to patients
- Abraham Natukunda from Rwanda for eNose: An analytics platform that increases tea processing procedures using low power sensor devices and a data analytics engine
- Albert Kure from Nigeria for FrontierSS: At the intersection of facilitating STEM education and the creation of education solutions
- Nzambi Matee from Kenya for Gjenge: An alternative building manufacturing company that recycles plastic waste
- Salma Bouggarani from Morocco Green WATECH: A patented, eco-innovative and efficient Multi-Soil Layering (MSL) system for municipal wastewater treatment
- Oghenetega Iortim from Nigeria for GRICD: Rechargeable, trackable, mobile cold boxes that enables businesses store and transport temperature-sensitive commodities
- Chijo Bare from Nigeria for Hydrotriciton: A water-powered, emission free, generating set that utilizes water as an input fuel and through cost effective hydrogen gas production
- Ifeanyi Christopher Chukwurah from Nigeria for Ifymoto: An insect farming enterprise creating a protein-packed, cheap and high-quality alternative to the unsustainable livestock feed
- Melissa Bime from Cameroon for INFIUSS: An online blood bank that connects hospitals with blood banks especially those that lack them
- Joshua Fisher from South Africa for LIQID Medical: Innovative and high impact ophthalmic devices that fight global blindness
- Percy Lemtukei from Kenya for MaziwaPlus Prechiller: A non-refrigerant mobile solar-powered milk chiller with a farmer management and milk collection platform
- Nsereko Mike from Uganda for MiNi Money: A peer to peer mobile/blockchain technology that reduces Africa’s high cost of remittances from 14% to 7%, and even further to 2%
- Menyo Innocent from Uganda for M-SCAN: A portable affordable power efficient ultrasound devices that are compatible with laptops, tablets and mobile phones
- Yankho Kaimila from Malawi for Nutrition Wellness Center: A center for the prevention and management of overweight and obesity and dietary related diseases
- Abasifreke James from Nigeria for POKER: Blockchain development of innovative solutions for banks and fintech companies, including government security agencies
- Okey Esse from Nigeria for Powerstove Offgrid: Affordable smokeless clean cookstove that uses 70% less of biomass and cooks food 5 times quicker, saving households $300 annually
- Olubanjo Olugbenga from Nigeria for Reeddi: Sustainably provides clean, reliable and affordable electricity to individuals, households and businesses operating in energy-poor regions
- Fela Akinse from Nigeria for Salubata: Modular and customizable shoes made from recycled plastic
- Abdou Maman from Niger for Tele Irrigation: Long-distance mobile, solar and IOT captor water distribution, real-time farm monitoring and data collection
- Achiri Arnold from Ghana for Traveler Inc: An information system app that detects accidents in real time and sends a distress signal to ambulances and authorities
- Adulai Barry from Guinea Bissau for Ubuntu2S: Intelligent solar home system (SHS) kits and solar kiosks, developed with open solutions and mobile money payments
- Kolawole Oluwatomisin from Nigeria for Vinsighte: A digital health venture that aids the visually impaired to live more comfortably and achieve their full potentials.
