Digital Health Cape Town (DHCT), the first digital health accelerator in the country, has opened applications for its Accelerator Programme designed to foster local eHealth innovation.
In response to changing needs of healthcare providers and patients and in a bid to digitally transform the sector, there has been an influx of new, early-stage, innovative digital health companies coming out of South Africa. DHCT’s new Accelerator Programme aims to assist companies to navigate continuously changing landscapes and grow into sustainable businesses.
Established digital health tech companies providing solutions in patient engagement; care coordination; telehealth; population health; clinical decision support; and behavioural health are encouraged to apply before 5th December 2017 via the application form.
“DHCT’s Accelerator Programme is an opportunity to unearth the exceptional talent and innovation we have in South Africa. TIA took the decision to participate on the panel of judges because it fits in with our mandate to stimulate technological innovation and we are excited to contribute to the growth of local digital health start-ups,” said Karen Eksteen, programme manager: innovation skills development at the Technology Innovation Agency.
Starting at the end of January 2018, the ten successful participants selected for the DHCT Accelerator Programme will take part in a ten-week programme, to help them scale their existing digital health business. The programme will consist of in-person and online mentorship by experienced entrepreneurs, healthcare though leaders and academics, to enhance the participants’ business knowledge and acumen from ideation all the way through to business and strategy execution.
Each participant will receive R150,000 worth of enterprise development funding and will have access to mentors from industry specialists, workshops, networking as well as exposure to local partners and investors. On the successful completion of the programme, participants will be equipped to build a defendable business plan and shape a viable business model to attract potential investors and funding.