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Startups: Why you should apply for the Sanofi VivaTech 2019 challenge


Viva Technology (Vivatech), an annual technology conference, dedicated to innovation and startups takes place in less than three months. The conference will be held in  Paris, France from May 16th to 18th, 2019. 

Pharmaceutical company Sanofi recently launched three challenges for African healthcare startups to find innovative solutions that can help improve access to healthcare and transform the health ecosystem throughout the continent. Selected African startups will be given an opportunity to go pitch at the VivaTech conference which will bring together 10,000 startups with top worldwide investors, companies & global tech leaders.

Interested startups are required to develop solutions to give more people especially in remote areas of Africa access to better care. You can read about the solutions here.

So why should startups take part in this challenge?  

Apart from getting a free booth to demonstrate their solution to attendees, they will also develop their network with key stakeholders and investors and also get 4 tickets to attend the 3-days conference.

Startups will also get an opportunity to attend a pitch preparation workshop the day before VivaTech. They will also pitch their ideas and solutions in front of a jury composed of Sanofi top executives and key external stakeholders.

The startups will also engage in deep discussions with expert functions and Sanofi in Africa General Managers to asses the feasibility of future collaboration in Africa. This could include potential pilot, potential investment by Sanofi VC and many other collaborations.

They will also receive coaching/mentoring and potential acceleration, with the involvement of Sanofi Africa Leadership team as well as an opportunity for financial help and access to Sanofi internal expertise to support your business and your international growth strategy.

The Startups will be evaluated according to 5 criteria: concrete evidence of positive results in at least one African country, project maturity, the relevance of the solution, market potential and business model, skills, expertise and experience of the team and finally scientific evidence if applicable.

Interested startups can submit their ideas through the Sanofi VivaTech challenge website here before 15th of February.

Watch highlights from 2018 Sanofi VivaTech challenge in the video below:

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Nixon Kanali

Tech journalist based in Nairobi. I track and report on tech and African startups. Founder and Editor of TechTrends Media. Nixon is also the East African tech editor for Africa Business Communities. Send tips to nkanali@techtrendske.co.ke.

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