Four startups have been selected for funding and technical support after they emerged winners of the Covid-19 project organised by the Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC). The program is carried out in partnership with Co-Creation Hub.
The four startups that made the cut are NupeProject, FlyMyAds, X-Labs Digital Health Hub and mDoc. All startups were selected because of the specific solutions they developed to help fight the spread of the novel coronavirus.
NupeProject
NupeProject is a team of diverse engineers and designers trying to solve diverse problems across the continent of Africa. Based in London and in Nigeria, the team uses hardware design and IoT technology to solve problems of the 3rd world and change lives.
The startup employs African talents to provide digital solutions and products to various clients depending on what their digital needs are. Companies they have worked for include Tecno, Mavin Records, Awa Bike and several others.
For its Covid-19 project, the team designed a medical-grade silicone mask that can be washed and reused. The filters on the mask can be used for 2 to 3 weeks before needing to be changed. The silicone mask would be a great PPE for frontline workers as it is a level N95 product which beats other single-use masks.
FlyMyAds
FlyMyAds is a digital advertising company which also offers digital marketing to its clients. Established in 2011, the company is focused on helping businesses drive their messages to their audiences in compelling and creative ways.
Apparently, FlyMyAds proves its mission with its Covid-19 projectwith which it found a compelling way to educate local people on the Covid-19 pandemic; what it is, how it spreads, how it is prevented, its symptoms and what to do if one suspects they have been infected.
The company is reaching people in remote areas of the country using their own local languages.
So far, the startup has created messages and flyers in 4 Nigerian languages: Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba and Urhobo. It is still looking to develop ad messages for more local languages and is actively in search of interested individuals and organisations to co-sponsors translations into other languages.
X-Labs Digital Health Hub by Oncopadi
As the name suggests, X-Labs Digital Health Hub is a hub which assists health care professionals, academics and researchers at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels to successfully build and apply digital health solutions.
The also brings together health experts and other members of the public to discuss and dissect issues affecting their health and lives in general. Thus, for its Covid-19 project, the startup organizes sessions led by seasoned health specialists in a bid to educate medical professionals and students on the management of #COVID19 related cases.
The solution is developed by health tech company, Oncopadi which also has a chatbot with which it educates the general public on health and general wellness.
mDoc
mDoc is a digital health startup which leverages technology to rapidly escalate and dramatically improve access to high-quality healthcare in Nigeria and Africa at large.
For its Covid-19 project, mDoc built NaviHealth which is an AI-enabled platform that provides health directory to members of the public. The platform serves as a geocoded-repository of the locations and services available at private and public healthcare facilities, hotline numbers, testing and isolation centres.
With its Covid-19 project, the LASRIC which is Lagos state’s funding body for science and innovation hopes to provide funding to startups and individuals developing solutions that could help the state and country fight the current pandemic and alleviate its effects on the people.
The funding will be provided by the council while CCHub would provide technical support. All resources will be targeted towards researching developing the startups solutions.
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