Make-IT

Rise to the challenge – #KillTheCorona

In April 2020, during the height of the global coronavirus pandemic, the Tunisia-based Kill the Corona Challenge invited researchers, startups, engineers and students from Africa and the Middle East to submit proposals on how to help combat the COVID-19 virus pandemic and its effects. The main criteria? The proposed solutions must be rooted in new technologies such as IoT, AI, robotics, or mobile and web platforms.

Under the motto “crisis, the mother of all inventions”, the challenge aims to discover and promote startups in the region, who are inventing new approaches to combat this global crisis. It also highlights how new technology can offer sustainable solutions for everyday applications. Finally, the competition arose from a desire to supervise innovators and help them prepare for an eventual launch of their solutions on the market.

The semi-finalists will present their proposals at the Startup Gate Summit 2020 on 23 – 24 June in Tunis (postponed to 13-14 November) , where a winner will be selected by an international judging panel. The Startup Gate Summit is supported by GIZ Tunisia, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) within the framework of the “Make-IT in Africa” initiative.

Ideas that disrupt

The proposals did not need to be limited to the healthcare field but could include any concept aimed at improving the quality of life during the coronavirus pandemic. Generally, all proposed ideas had to be safe and harness smart technologies – but above all demonstrate the potential of disruptive technology to tackle big challenges, particularly in times of crisis.

Ten startups were selected at the end of April and are now receiving online coaching and supervision to prepare them for the final pitch at the Startup Gate Summit at the end of June.

Here is a sneak preview of some of the semi-finalists

Mohamed KahnaPsyCorona: A smart examination table that monitors the patient physically and psychologically.
Khaled AmroucheCORONABOT: A virtual agent that speaks French, Arabic and Tunisian dialect to spread accurate news about COVID-19 and protective measures.
Houssem eddine MradCHATBOT: A chatbot that answers questions about the novel coronavirus, and forwards serious inquires to medical authorities
Bayrem MaazounQuarantine monitoring: A tech solution to measure and track indicators like body temperature and heart rate, as well as people in quarantine.
Elyes HachmiSmart health monitoring system For Corona Patient using IoT: A real time monitoring station in order to measure and monitor several important Parameters for both patients as well as medical staff
Hamdi HaddadIntelliBracelet: A bracelet that can be attached to a person’s wrist and track if quarantine has been breached.
Jihed HannachiMajestEYE: Technology to determine how SARS-CoV-2 operates outside the laboratory and what molecules may be effective against the virus.
Moez MahrougCorona Prevention Robot: This robot is intended for health and administrative institutions and in confined spaces because of its small size which allows it to move easily inside rooms, departments and corridors. It can be controlled by a remote control device or by phone because it is equipped with a camera for remote viewing
Fares AyediCORONA FAST DETECTOR: An app to notify all people who may have come into contact with a COVID-19 carrier to limit contamination spread.

For more information: http://killthecorona.startupgate-summit.com/

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