Early Stage Startups based in West African with innovations to solve real-life problems can apply for the Merck Accelerator’s Satellite Programme in Lagos.
The Accelerator, a spawn of the partnership between Seedspace Lagos and Merck Accelerator’s Satellite Programme in Lagos offers startups synergy to explore and validate the potential for co-creating and collaborating with Merck.
Merck will welcome innovations in Healthcare, Life Sciences and Performance Materials.
MERCK’S BUSINESSES
Healthcare
From prescription medicines to treat conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis and infertility to over-the-counter products developed to help protect every member of your family: our goal is to make a difference to millions of people around the world.
Life Science
Providing scientists and engineers with best-in-class lab materials, technologies and services, we are dedicated to making research and biotech production simpler, faster and safer.
Performance Materials
Developing specialty chemicals for particularly demanding applications, we provide groundbreaking liquid crystals as well as OLED materials for displays and lighting, effect pigments for coatings and color cosmetics, as well as high-tech materials for the production of integrated circuits.
AREAS OF INTEREST
Healthcare Access Solutions
Born out of the Merck innovation spirit for healthier people worldwide, currently, a pilot consisting of 5 Points of Care facilities at high standards of quality are being set up in Kenya. The platform concept will provide for medication (Dx/OTC) and nurse services enhanced through mobile and digital health solutions.
To augment the digital access solution services, we are looking for innovative and ambitious startups with a sustainable business model idea in the following areas: delivery of healthcare, financing therapies, healthcare connected logistics, community self-service enablement and affordable, faster diagnosis.
Biosensing and Interfaces
Merck is looking at generating novel insights and building new business models around the integration of electronics and biology. This will enable it to develop groundbreaking medical treatment solutions, based on a unique mix of sensor data retrieval, machine learning, and curation expertise.
Precision Farming
Also, Merck is looking at creating combinations of materials, analytics, and services that will help create a new kind of farming that is no longer dependent on the blanket application of agrochemicals to fields to feed an expanding global population in a more sustainable and ethical way.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
- Early stage startups that are not more than 4 years old
- Startups in the fields of Healthcare, Life Sciences, Performance Materials and other search fields such as Bio-sensing & Interfaces, and Precision Farming.
- Startups with at least 2 co-founders
BENEFITS
- Prize: Receive a $3,000 no-strings-attached cash prize
- Corporate Collaboration: A fully paid trip to Merck Innovation Center at our HQs to pitch for a collaboration project with Merck.
- Office Space: Membership for up to 12 months to Seedspace community in Lagos.
- TrainToInnovate: Access to Merck Innovator Academy TrainToInnovate— an interactive innovation platform to develop innovator skills and share experiences.
- Community: Connect with a rich community of founders and innovators in your region going through the same challenges, as you exchange ideas and build lifetime connections.
HOW TO APPLY?
For startups based in West Africa, the Lagos Applications are open from June 17th to August 20th, 2018.
Interested? Apply here
