A Kenyan innovator has won a cash prize of Sh2 million (US$20,000) for his electric wheelchair that can withstand potholes and untarmacked roads.
Lincoln Wamae, founder of Linccell Technology, also won three months of technical dedicated support to scale up his innovation.
So far, Wamae has sold more than 12 electric wheelchairs in Kenya and aims to expand the innovation through the prize money and the support.
The wheelchair is also convenient for indoor use.
The prize and support came from Innovate Now Accelerator Programme, which is implemented by Amref Enterprises Limited and Global Disability Innovation Hub, alongside local ecosystem partners and is part of the UK aid-funded AT2030 programme.
"When I started LT a year ago, our mission was clear -we wanted to provide effortless, durable and affordable electric personal mobility for all in Africa. To-date we are on course with that mission and have designed, built and delivered more than a dozen electric wheelchairs, bicycles and scooters in Kenya," Wamae said.
Linccell Technology is a startup that is leading in the electric personal mobility industry in Kenya and is based in Nairobi's Githurai 45 estate.
The winner was announced during the virtual Demo Day of Innovate Now where five finalists in Cohort 1 pitched their businesses and products to a panel of judges.
The finalists, who have undergone a six-month acceleration programme, have gained exposure to international investors and opportunities to co-design and test their products with persons with disabilities.
During the virtual demo day, the finalists demonstrated Rapid Assistive Technology testing and feedback, showcasing dynamic community-based solutions to global challenges.
Users of the innovations were at the heart of the product and service development.
"Involving people with disability at every stage of the innovations is a sure plan to break discriminative barriers that limit the potential of many. I was glad to note all the projects had a strong user-centered approach to their product development,” said Josephine Gitonga, social development officer at DFID, who was one of the judges.
The free accelerator model combines mentorship, workshops, guest lectures and hands on disability expertise to help startups reach product-market fit and become investable and scale ready.
The programme uses an innovative active learning model and live labs to provide support to innovators by helping them overcome barriers to scaling assistive technology.
"Innovate Now is a great programme aimed at helping ventures develop assistive technologies that are not only groundbreaking, but homemade hence customised with the local knowledge, thus lowering costs for persons with disabilities,” observed Senator Isaac Mwaura, chair of the Innovate Now Board.
Innovate Now will support 60 start-ups in total, a quarter of which will track to scale during the next three years.
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said, “The UK is committed to ensuring disability inclusion is at the heart of all our work.”
