African startups will solutions in the digital health sector have been offered the opportunity to scale their businesses to Dubai with the six-month Dubai 100 pre-accelerator programme.
Last year, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) launched a national strategy with the goal of turning itself into one of the most innovative nations in the world, a driver of economic growth in the region and a powerhouse in the global community.
As part of this goal, the Dubai 100 initiative has launched, aimed at accelerating the development of talented young innovators who will contribute to long-term growth both in Dubai and in their countries of origin.
The six-month cross-disciplinary pre-accelerator programme is designed to develop the growth of young talent through industry awareness, entrepreneurship mentorship and business opportunities.
“The programme is free and we do not take any equity in startups. We cover visas, flights, accommodation and office spaces for accepted applicants for the duration of the programme,” Dubai 100 said.
Fifteen recent international graduates will be accepted, in teams of up to three members. Teams should apply with an innovative early stage idea in the med-tech and digital health space, with co-founders required to spend the entire six months of the programme in Dubai working on their startup full time.
The curriculum has been designed by the Dubai 100 team in collaboration with various industry partners, and includes intensive practitioner-led, industry-curated training, customised mentorship and coaching sessions, entrepreneurship skills and mindset building workshops, visits to leading healthcare institutions across Dubai, and exposure to local and regional healthcare challenges and opportunities.
Participants will also be offered business model validation and prototyping, and engagement with local and global industry partners, while they will also undertake a field trip to London for industry meetings and opportunity exploration.
Startups will emerge from the programme with a holistic understanding of the healthcare industry, business skills, a validated business model and compelling pitch, a prototype or minimum viable product, a road-map for the next 12-18 months, and a global network of accelerators, partners, mentors and potential customers.
Interested parties should apply here by November 15.
