Solution:
Library For All (LFA) aims at unlocking knowledge and opportunities for children in developing countries. With limited access to educational materials, these children are given access to a cloud-based library of e-books. In areas where books are scarce but mobile networks are growing, the digital library serves the critical need for quality educational materials. The Library is filled with primary and secondary education content that is culturally relevant and available in local and international languages.

Solution:
Educating and supporting people with financial literacy, ennota.com is a financial management application that empowers micro and small business owners in developing countries to grow. This is done by offering a simple solution with a tool providing a financial overview of a business as well as coaching modules. The product includes various levels of financial literacy and adapts to the user’s level. This integrated education in finance enables users to advance their knowledge and use the application fully. The app is cloud-based, cross-platform, and accessible from any device connected to the internet. It is designed to promote collaboration (with co-workers / partners or even an accountant), all the while using banking level standards to secure all transactions.

Solution:
GRIS is a set of water-containers that are to be laid on the bathroom floor under the shower. They then capture water from the showerhead, a person’s body and from the wall whilst a shower is being taken. The collected water can be stored in these containers for a while and/or immediately be reused for other purposes including toilet-flushing, cleaning, washing or watering the garden, for example. GRIS can collect up to 95% of the shower water.

Solution:
In response to the widespread problem of sexual violence, the company has developed a self-defense product that enables women to protect themselves. The “Pearltect” is a bracelet worn as jewellery. This bracelet however contains a breakable capsule (the pearl) filled with an (unpleasant) odoriferous substance to repel, and DNA dye to mark, the attacker.

Solution:
This is a technology developed to roast coffee beans using sunlight – the energy source most widely available to farmers. The solution concentrates the rays of the sun on a rotating drum containing coffee beans. The sturdy device has been developed for use in rural areas and can be maintained locally, boosting its resilience. With the capacity to roast 1 kg of coffee beans in approximately 15–25 minutes, this roasting technology is fairly comparable to the timelines and capacities of conventional roasting equipment of the same dimensions.

Solution:
Pocket FM is a broadcasting system, which serves as an interface between internet and radio. The device has been adapted to situations and regions where communication is difficult, especially for those cut off from vital information including refugee camps and areas with civil wars. The portable transmitter airs radio programs over a radius of about eight kilometers and can be remote-controlled by SMS or the internet. Powered by a small solar panel, the solution requires almost no maintenance and can run practically without interruption.

Solution:
Groasis Technology (GT) is an integrated planting technology that allows the planting of trees in degraded farmland and rangelands. The technology consists of a 20-litre box which, when planted around a seedling, collects dew and enough rainwater to sustain the plant whilst it grows.

Solution:
GravityLight is an innovative device that provides instant light, as well as powering a string of up to 4 ancillary ‘SatLights’ that can be distributed around the home. Simultaneously able to power a radio, it does not need batteries or sunlight, as it is powered by the lifting of weights. This provides a clean, safe and affordable alternative to kerosene lamps which is universal and can be used all year round.

Solution:
The Multi-Crop Thresher (MCT) is an agricultural product that can thresh various types of crops in just one machine. These crops include maize, sorghum, barley, and rice. The Thresher aims to improve quality of life, strengthen value chains, and contribute to food security. This is done by producing a cleaner agricultural product that can be used more efficiently reducing the amount of hard labor.

Solution:
The MAPS G110 is a utility vehicle designed to meet the needs of farmers and agriculture businesses in developing countries. These people traditionally spend a substantial amount of time and effort with transportation and manual labor. This farming helper is more affordable than a car, can carry more people than a motorcycle, and unlike Chinese trike competitors, offers a durable chassis with options for utility attachments.

Solution:
Enabling deaf children access to literature and reading, Canales has created “Videobooks in Argentine Sign Language.” These videos combine children’s books and young adult literature read in sign language, with voice-overs and animated illustration. This invites deaf children into the world of reading together with their families and friends. Many of these children never enjoy the pleasure of being read to as their families don’t know sign language: Videobooks also helps bridge the gap in literacy skills between deaf and hearing students.

Solution:
Mellowcabs manufactures and operates three-wheeled, electric mini-cabs to provide low cost, eco-friendly and convenient urban taxi and transport services. A mobile app connects the commuters and cabs and payment can be made by cash or card via the app. The passenger section of the cab can be replaced with a cargo section while the body of the taxi is used as advertising space in order to finance the concept. Mellowcab aims to replace short distance transport services through an eco-friendly carbon emission free alternative.

Solution:
The io™ system provides a new way to make solar power more affordable for rural, off-grid households in Sub-Saharan Africa. Users start by making a very small investment in a basic io™ solar power module, and can then scale-up the size of their system adding power and functionality at their own pace. This allows customers to own a power system that fits their individual needs without the burden of a large up-front investment. Each io™ module is a fully-functioning mini solar power system in its own right. However once several are daisy-chained together, they synergise to create a full-size system able to power much larger appliances such as bright security lights, radios, loudspeaker systems, and eventually fridges and TVs.

Solution:
The Quintas biomass hot air dryers/dehydrators are designed to dry agricultural produce when harvested. This simple device does without complicated temperature and flow controls and can be assembled on site with the capacity to burn approx. 7.06 kg biomass per hour. The dried goods can then be packaged for sale.

Solution:
GiftedMom is a social enterprise aiming to improve maternal health using last mile mobile technologies. Combining SMS and voice reminders with a GPS-integrated tricycle transportation, the project aims to end preventable maternal and infant deaths. Using a customized SMS notification and voice education platform, the solution leverages on the high amount of mobile devices in Africa and provides antenatal care and vaccination reminders to pregnant women and new mothers respectively.

Solution:
Developed by innovators in Cameroon, Safe Travel is a free phone app which works as a monitoring system called ‘traveler’. It is designed for passengers and users offering a platform and data system showing a traveler’s location. This is used to notify families and road safety or emergency teams if a traffic incident occurs as it offers the possibility to also check reckless driving it can subsequently reduce the number of death on highways.

Solution:
Breezergy is an innovative and reliable micro wind turbine with patented metal rotor blades. The special feature is a one-piece rotor blade with a diameter of 1.5 meters which transmits hardly any wind pressure onto the mounting structure. It is easy to use and install, capable of charging batteries and powering appliances all over the world.

Solution:
The SolarTurtle is a community-owned solar kiosk designed for maximum security and maximum portability. The solar PV systems are housed in containers and assembled off site. The turn-key ready system can be deployed by simply offloading the container and unfolding the panels towards the sun. The solar kiosks sell electricity by the ‘bottle’. This means that a recycled plastic container is halved and battery inserted, the lid is then converted into a 12V cigarette lighter socket, allowing communities to build and maintain their own battery packs. Micro-grid connections are offered additionally to power local schools and businesses. Delivered by truck, this fold-away solar PV system provides basic electricity to 300 households and a local school and is stored safely preventing theft.

Solution:
Evaptainers are electricity-free mobile refrigeration units which run at low-cost. Utilizing the phenomenon of evaporative cooling, food is stored in a double-walled container where water evaporates through the porous outer wall, thereby cooling down the inner container. Compared to the rather more energy-intensive vapor compression refrigeration, they are ideal for use in off-grid rural areas with low relative humidity.