WomEng and the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE) have invited female African innovators with early-stage engineering innovations or startups to apply for their 2019 cohort of Africa Innovation Fellowship (AIF).
The main aim of the fellowship is to groom female entrepreneurs for future cohorts of the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation.
The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation an initiative of Royal Academy of Engineering — stimulates, celebrates and rewards innovation and entrepreneurship in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim is to encourage ambitious and talented engineers from all disciplines to apply their skills to develop scalable solutions to local challenges, highlighting the importance of engineering as an enabler of improved quality of life and economic development.
The Africa Innovation Fellowship kicks off in Uganda from 2-5 June, 2019. Will focus on ideas and business incubation, leadership, development, networking, and pitching practice. This will be followed by nine months of personalized virtual support — with regular check-in.
Interested female innovators can apply (FOLLOW LINK) not later than April 1st, 2019. Only successful candidates will be notified on May 15th, 2019. Note that the call of application is limited to female participants and their innovation based in the sub-Saharan Africa.
Submitted innovations or startups should have an early-stage engineering innovation and/or startup that brings social and/or environmental benefits to a country/countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, accompanied by an ambitious but realistic business plan which is near-ready or has been tested for commercial viability.
The overall winner secures an all-expenses paid trip to London — to attend the Global Grand Challenges Summit.
Fellowship candidates who apply and are subsequently shortlisted for the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation will additionally receive individual coaching and mentoring.
In this years, Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation challenge, Uganda is represented by two innovators; Anne Rweyora – Smart Havens Africa, and Paul Matovu – The Vertical Farm.
Last year’s competition was won by a Ugandan, Brian Gitta. Brian become the first Ugandan to win the prestigious Africa Prize, and the youngest winner to date. In addition, his team that developed Non-invasive diagnostic kit, dubbed Matibabu, received a cash-prize of £25,000 (approx. UGX123 million).
