Qualcomm has marked the successful completion of the second year of its Make in Africa Startup Mentorship Program, celebrating innovative contributions to Africa’s tech ecosystem. Among this year’s highlights, Aurora Health Systems, a Kenyan startup revolutionizing cardiovascular healthcare, was named the 2024 Wireless Reach Social Impact Fund winner. The announcement was made during the program’s finale, underscoring Qualcomm’s ongoing commitment to nurturing Africa’s burgeoning tech scene.
Empowering African Innovators
The Make in Africa program, part of the Qualcomm Africa Innovation Platform, mentored 10 startups across six African nations this year. The program provided participants with business coaching, engineering consultation, and intellectual property (IP) protection advice, enabling these startups to tackle real-world challenges in healthcare, agriculture, AI, and industrial sectors.
Kenya stood out, with four of the 10 startups coming from the country. These included:
- Aurora Health Systems: AI-powered tools for cardiovascular care, utilizing wireless ECG devices.
- CropScan: Solar-powered IoT devices aiding precision agriculture.
- NextAI Studios: AI-driven emotional assistants for children’s mental health.
- RIM Nextgen: Smart propane management solutions.
Aurora Health Systems: Leading with Innovation
Aurora Health Systems captured attention with their wireless ECG device featuring LTE connectivity. The innovation facilitates remote ECG data transmission, empowering patients in rural areas to access timely diagnostics. By training their AI algorithms on locally sourced data, Aurora has enhanced diagnostic accuracy, positioning itself as a pioneer in East African AI healthcare solutions.
The Wireless Reach Social Impact Fund, awarded under Qualcomm’s Wireless Reach Initiative, recognizes startups that create societal and market impact through technology. Aurora’s selection reflects the growing demand for scalable, tech-enabled healthcare solutions across Africa.
Expanding African IP Awareness with L2Pro Africa
A critical addition to Qualcomm’s efforts is the L2Pro Africa IP E-Learning Platform, developed in partnership with Adams & Adams, a leading African IP law firm. This free program equips startups, SMEs, and researchers with tools to protect and commercialize innovations, addressing Africa’s limited patent activity. By fostering a strong IP foundation, Qualcomm hopes to unlock economic opportunities and inspire broader participation in the global innovation landscape.
Looking Ahead: Make in Africa 2025
Building on its success, Qualcomm has launched the Make in Africa 2025 Startup Mentorship Program, with applications now open. This initiative aims to continue empowering local talents and driving economic growth across the continent.
“The Make in Africa startups are disrupting traditional industries and tackling socio-economic challenges, crafting innovative solutions with global market reach by using AI, advanced connectivity, and IoT,” said Wassim Chourbaji, Senior Vice President, Qualcomm MEA. He reiterated Qualcomm’s dedication to fostering local talent and creating impactful technologies.
Driving Progress Across Africa
Through initiatives like Make in Africa, Qualcomm showcases its role in advancing Africa’s innovation ecosystem. With a focus on AI, IoT, and connectivity, the company is helping startups address socio-economic challenges, foster job creation, and drive technological progress.
For more information or to apply for the 2025 program, visit Qualcomm’s Make in Africa page.
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