The biggest obstacle for those with sellable ideas or innovations is generating trust and convincing others that it is viable. Getting seed capital is one thing and it might not amount to much, but getting the financial push in the back is another. So why are people with working, proven ideas that could help society as a whole left in the dark? This is in reference to two ingenious students from Tumba College of Technology who have come up and showcased ground-breaking ideas. Ange Uwambajimana developed an Intravenous (IV) Drip Alert System that alerts nurses and doctors when a patient’s IV is about run out. It sends an SMS and calls those on duty when the level of the medicine is dangerously low. Why can’t the medical world, financial services or investors embrace this idea with open arms? Imagine the impact the early warning application would have on medical care. Uwambajimana is not alone. Her colleague from the same college, Imani Bora, came up with a pre-paid water supply system, akin to the Cashpower platform operated successfully by the national electricity utility company, EUCL. One would be able to buy the water they can afford and EUCL would not have to be bogged down by piles of unpaid water bills and wastage. There are many young bright minds out there who have game-changing innovations but are held back by lack of financial support. How can EUCL let this golden opportunity of partnering with the student to develop and produce the so-called Cashwater slip away? Why spend billions on foreign inventions to ease your work when you have one right under your nose? This is the next frontier, but crossing it will depend on financial institutions and investors shedding off the mindset that startups are risky ventures.
