The ASME Innovation showcase (ISHOW) is an annual global innovation challenge that breeds startups to the sphere. This year, the competition is focused on bringing to book the best hardware startups all over the world with key focus to East Africa where Kenya will be the regional challenge capital.
Among the key problem-solving startups being searched for, competitors are expected to present solutions from the environment, education, health, safety, energy, water& sanitation, economy & community, and agriculture. However, the overall prize of $50,000 will be rewarded to the top 9 competitors in cash and kind services.
According to the organizers, the excelling social innovations must be viable and ready to launch on market. Just like the Musana carts and Pedal tap startups which were part of the challenge last year in Kenya, all innovations must be market ready and able to excel as real-world solutions.
For Ugandan competitors, the challenge is being handled by the Makerere based Resilient Africa Network (RAN) organization. Applications for the 2019 challenge were opened in December 2018 and the deadline for applying is 8th February 2019. Additionally, finalists will be announced on 11th march for a face off in Kenya, while global contenders will battle it in India and USA on April 4th and 14th June respectively.