BRAC announced the first batch of winners for its Urban Innovation Challenge, a program designed to incubate and support early stage social enterprises developing innovative solutions to the growing challenges faced by the people living in cities across Bangladesh On May 7, 2017. 5 teams, out of 13 finalists, have been selected for a six months incubation program.
The program, launched as a competition in October 2016, offers a platform to innovators, young entrepreneurs and university students who are interested in solving urban problems in three specific problem areas: health, transportation, and informal sector employment.
The winners will develop prototypes and test their product in collaboration with BRAC in the next six months, receive co-working facility, mentorship, skills development and other supports along with a grant amount up to BDT 5 lac. In addition, the program will also connect startups with potential investors and stakeholders.
The complete list of startups.
Bhumijo
The web and app-based platform aims to establish hygienic and secure public toilets for women through public-private collaboration where restaurants in Dhaka will open their lavatories to the public for a nominal fee.
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Bloodman
An app and web-based database of blood donors along with their contact information where people can send a request to blood donors. GPS integration in the app will help find the nearest donors and collect their responses. There will also be a call center in place for further help.
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Driver Mela
An online marketplace for connecting skilled and verified drivers and people who are seeking drivers. Almost similar to DriverBD.
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Servicing Campus
Plans to create service campus and technical training facility for school drop-outs in all across the country, particularly outside Dhaka where work opportunity is limited, and to provide certification and employment opportunities to technicians who work in the informal sector.
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Amarbike
An online bike-hailing service in Dhaka. It allows users to hail a motorbike ride for a fast, reliable and cheap ride in Dhaka. The startups still in beta stage and yet to open up the platform for freelance bikers. [Read our mobility and transportation market map here]
Image: BRAC Blog
