Melissa Bime, a Cameroonian born techpreneur has won the US$25,000 Anzisha Prize. Melissa won the cash prize because of her heath-tech innovation called INFIUSS.
Infuiss is a revolutionary health service that connects health facilities to a vast database of blood banks in other health institutions, to help them have more options for blood transfusions.
Anzisha Prize is a program organized by the African Leadership Academy (ALA) in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation. It celebrates Africa’s most innovative social and business entrepreneurs under the age of 22.
While commenting after she receive the prize, she said “Today, I stand here to represent every young girl out there that just has her dreams. I stand here to represent this amazing group of entrepreneurs that I am a part of. With these people, the future of Africa is very bright. We are going to change this continent.”
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The 22-year-old Melissa’s platform is currently servicing 23 hospitals in Cameroon to ensure they have life-saving blood when and where they need it.
The winners were selected from a group of 20 finalists, who participated in a 10-day accelerator prior to pitching their businesses to the Anzisha panel of judges. Each finalist received US$2,500.
18-year-old Sierra Leonean, Alhaji Siraj Bah was the first runner up with the cash prize award of US$15,000. Siraj Bah start-up produces paper bags and cooking briquettes; while 21-year-old Ugandan, Joan Nalubega was named second runner up with cash prize of US$12,500 – for her mosquito repellent soap.
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