The Uni:nnovators Startup-in-Residence Programme was designed to inspire innovation within selected tertiary institutions across Nigeria, Namibia, and Kenya. Two universities were selected from each country making it six universities in total, including the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos in Nigeria, the University of Nairobi and Riara University in Kenya, and the University of Namibia and Namibia University of Science and Technology in Namibia.

The programme which started in August 2023, had over 256 entries vying for a place. Carefully, 30 startup teams were chosen to embark on an intensive six-week design sprint. During this period, they honed their pitches and innovations, preparing for the grand Demo Day.

Each country produced six exceptional student teams that emerged from the demo days conducted in each country and advanced to the final stage of the programme.

Among the innovative solutions developed by the students in this program were smart, portable phototherapy devices designed for the effective treatment of jaundice in African neonates; reusable core needle breast biopsy devices with disposable coaxial needles that simplify the breast biopsy process and reduce contamination risks during breast cancer care; and real-time crop monitoring systems that enhance resource management, alongside user-friendly IoT solutions aimed at addressing some of the most pressing challenges in the agricultural sector, to name a few. The Uni:nnovators Startup in Residence programme was in partnership with GIZ Make-IT in Africa, representing the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through an Integrated Development Partnership with the Private Sector (iDPP).