For many early-stage startups, not being able to refine a prototype because of the costs involved can put an end to even the best ideas. Recognizing this, GE Garages in Algeria is opening its GE Garage's rapid-prototyping tools to the finalists of the Injaz El Djazair's Algeria-wide startup competition.
The finalists in the "Company Program" competition will use the 3D printers, laser cutters and other equipment in the GE Garages workshop to help realize their projects.
The startup finalists, which are working on projects ranging from a smart bracelet to keep children safe and an irrigation control system to a wastewater recycling system and an automatic bee feeder hive, will use the GE Garages, located at the Sylabs co-working space in Algiers.
By using the tools within the GE Garages, the startups can quickly and relatively inexpensively move their prototype from concept to reality for testing and refinement. These Advanced Manufacturing tools can help almost any business shorten the product development time and reduce its cost.
Commenting on GE's support of the Company Program competition and broader commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and the spirit of innovation among young Algerians, Fredj Touffik, CEO of GE Northwest Africa, said, "We are eager to contribute to skills development in Algeria and to educating young and old to new technologies and production techniques that are revolutionizing industry. These are fabulous accelerators to building a modern industrial base.
Finalists include: "Aman Techno," which offers a smart bracelet that emits an audible alert when a child approaches a danger. "Eco Energy Corporation" is developing SEENRGY, a device that allows the user to view power consumption in real time and provide optimization solutions via a mobile application.
"Evolutech" has developed a solution with a hub that connects to a smartphone application, allowing for control of home electronics. Finalists also include Kit@appProgram, an app that allows for instant correspondence between parents and their children's school. Other finalists include Cybox, a wastewater recycling system, and Yalitech, which creates thermal insulation for construction by using plastic bottle waste. It is being developed by Ecological Water Treatment.
In the area of agriculture, Grow Company has developed EFarm Project, an irrigation control system that monitors and analyzes temperature, rain and soil moisture to adjust watering schedules.
Applicants came from across the country, examples of which include Bejaia-based Genius Bees, which is developing an automatic feeder hive. Iktashif, based in Tlemcen, is developing 360 box, a product based on virtual reality technology. Oran-based Paramed has introduced a range of smart devices that enable people who are deaf and mute to communicate and those who are blind, to get around more easily.
GE supports innovation, entrepreneurship and SMEs in Algeria through a range of initiatives. These include Sylabs, where GE has installed a GE Garages workshop provisioned with Advanced Manufacturing tools that are available to Sylabs participants.
GE has been a partner to the Algerian economy and its national development for more than four decades in electricity and water, oil and gas, healthcare, aviation and transportation.
This article was first published at the GE Hewar blog
