Nigerian medical startup, Lifebank.ng has been selected as a finalist for the $650,000 MIT Solve Global Challenges. LifeBank and the other Solve Finalist Teams will pitch their solutions to judges on September 23, 2018, in New York City to kick off the UN General Assembly week.
The Solve Global Challenges is organized by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The competition targets solutions for prominent issues by supporting and funding concepts around the world.
And now, we are beyond honored and excited to announce that LifeBank is a 2018 @SolveMIT Finalist! https://t.co/OpxVivJ0pH pic.twitter.com/1Qk1PZRPxO
— LifeBank (@LifeBankCares) September 18, 2018
The competition is divided into four major categories. First is “Work of the Future”, focused on identifying those affected by technology-driven transformations and providing them alternative opportunities. And second is “Teachers and Educators” category, and it focuses on innovators supporting teachers offer more accessible and personalized learning experiences.
The third category is “Coastal Communities”, and this focuses on how coastal communities can reduce and adapt to climate change even as they industrialize. And fourth is the “Frontlines of Health” category, and targets startups developing technology for health workers and services to improve communities’ access to effective and affordable healthcare.
Just 2 weeks ago, LifeBank was exhibiting at #TCDisrupt SF 2018 as one of @TechCrunch's top picks for the #blockchain category pic.twitter.com/EB8HHRj116
— LifeBank (@LifeBankCares) September 18, 2018
However, Lifebank.ng is competing in the “Frontlines of Health” category and is quite a contender.
Founded by Temie Giwa-Tubosun, Ayo Michael Olufemi, and Adedayo Ayodele, LifeBank addresses supply and logistic issues in the healthcare sector. By using technology, the startup solves the problem of shortages in medical supplies by compiling inventory information from several medical suppliers.
First Cardiology Consultants recently completed an 8 hour surgery for a dissected thoracic type A thoracic aneurysm in Lagos, Nigeria. LifeBank is a proud partner! pic.twitter.com/3Evk3O31Ms
— LifeBank (@LifeBankCares) September 3, 2018
However, its major focus is to reduce the number of deaths caused by blood shortages. Alongside technology, the company employs its own dispatch riders to ensure quick delivery of blood to locations that need it.
Since its creation in 2016, the startup has worked with over 400 hospitals. Recently, it delivered 10,000 unit of blood and has helped to save over 2,000 lives.
Lifebank is an alumnus of the CcHub incubator programme. And in March 2018, the company got a €50,000 funding from the Merck Accelerator programme.