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The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is seeking applications for the Startup Innovation Challenge to support digital startups and to operationalize the university center for innovation and technology and support entrepreneurship in Togo.

Innovation is a key driver for implementing transformative and sustainable solutions in a context marked by the complexity of the challenges facing populations.

The need to reflect innovation in development actions is reflected in Sustainable Development Goal 9: “Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure”, two of whose targets essentially aim to:

• Support domestic technological research and development and innovation in developing countries, including by creating conditions conducive to, inter alia, industrial diversification and value addition to goods

• Increase, particularly in developing countries, access to financial services, including affordable loans, for enterprises, especially small industrial enterprises, and their integration into value chains and markets

The United Nations Development Programme in its strategic plan 2022-2025 has highlighted the importance of digital as one of the key enablers, alongside strategic innovation and development financing. This positioning highlights digital as a driving force for individuals but also for the future of the planet.

Objectives

• Promoting innovation and fostering research and development: Processing of local products with a particular focus on fruits and vegetables:

  • Encourage the development and implementation of technological solutions innovative ways to meet local challenges.

  • Support projects with significant potential for transformative impact on communities and industries.

  • Provide resources and platforms for young innovators and researchers to experiment, prototype and refine their ideas.

• Promote digital transformation, the sectors targeted are services to the person, agritech, artificial intelligence and blockchain:

  • Use digital technologies as a catalyst for innovation and sustainable development.

  • Support digital startups.

• Support young and female entrepreneurs:

  • Prioritize initiatives led by youth and women, ensuring their active participation in the innovation ecosystem.

  • Provide mentoring, training and networking opportunities to empower youth and women entrepreneurs.

  • Facilitate access to financial resources for startups, particularly those led by young entrepreneurs and women.

Eligibility

Selection Criteria

• Startups/Innovators/Innovative teams

  • Have a prototype or an innovative product on the market in the field of digital or manufacturing

  • Have carried out market tests

  • Be involved full-time in the management of the startup

  • Have at least 12 months of existence

• Bearer of innovative ideas

  • Have basic training/skills in the field of innovation

  • Be able to demonstrate the technical feasibility of the proposed innovation

  • Prove the existence of a market for the proposed solution

  • Have skills or demonstrate an interest in technology/manufacturing technological

Post Date: August 29, 2024