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lab of tomorrow - new ways to new business

The lab of tomorrow fosters the development of new business-driven solutions for specific problems affecting developing and emerging countries.

On behalf of the German Federal Government, we bring together European and in-country companies, customers and specialists to collaborate on developing successful business ideas for solving countries’ problems, such as the supply of medicines in Kenya or rural electrification in Uganda.

Three things make the lab special:

The lab operates in the real world: practical solutions are identified and developed for a real problem.
The lab is creative: its extraordinary blend of participants from different backgrounds turns out highly innovative business ideas.
The lab is cooperative: companies pool their resources to jointly develop business models.

These factors realised in seven labs have given rise to 42 promising business ideas.

The lab of tomorrow creates business ideas and inspires all kinds of companies – from the small IT start-up to global players such as Merck and Siemens – to solve a specific problem affecting a developing or emerging country.

Curious? Feel free to contact us, share your ideas and join the lab of tomorrow community!

Currently running and completed challenges

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Success stories

Wheeling Fruits - A prototype taking on the challenge of reducing food waste

In Kenya an estimated 64% of approximately 580,000 MT of mango production are wasted, due to different reasons. Wheeling fruits means processing of surplus fruits at farm gate level via a mobile processing unit.

Reality check in Kenya – a quiz on health

The next phase in the battle against non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Kenya was launched in May 2017. The innovation workshop held at Merck in Darmstadt just three months earlier provided a forum for entrepreneurs, government representatives and health experts from Kenya and Europe to fine tune a number of potential business ideas.

ZAMeT - A prototype going big steps in Zambia

Since the end of 2015, ibes works together with the Zambian Tax Authorities on a mobile eTax system. Big steps have been gone and the launch is soon to come.

With the mission to co-create business solutions for tackling the challenge to improve the quality and quantity of skilled staff for the Egyptian tourism sector, 49 participants came together in the 7th ‘lab of tomorrow’ innovation workshop in February 2018 at TUI Magic Life Kalawy in Hurghada, Egypt.

Testimonials

"The lab of tomorrow is a truly enriching experience and a demonstration of the value of teamwork in generating solutions with people from diverse backgrounds. A great experience.“

Elizabeth Ogaja
Health minister of the county Kisumu (Kenya)
"The lab of tomorrow brings together companies from Europe and Africa and creates new ideas."

Günter Nooke
Personal Representative of the German Chancellor for Africa in the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
“The lab of tomorrow - Excellent methodology, dedication, innovations and results. Keep it up!”

Berlin Msiska
Former Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) Commissioner-General
"The lab of tomorrow has developed many business models that inspire us."

Dr. Kai Beckmann
Member of the executive board and chief administration officer at Merck
"The lab of tomorrow is a very innovative method for developing solutions with companies worldwide."

Dr. Christoph Beier
Vice-chair of the management board
"The lab of tomorrow – Let’s talk energy!“

Magoola Baker Kirunda & Alinc Nurcan
Corporate Communications Manager - Kainyara Sugar Limited (Kirunda) & Business Development Manager Ugandan Manufacturer Association UMA - CIM Expert (Nurcan)
"The lab of tomorrow is innovation alive.“

Michael Pittelkow
Executive development policy partner relations at SAP Africa
"The lab of tomorrow is a great "laboratory" for the joint implementation of innovative solutions."

Gunda Amat Amoros
Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
"The lab of tomorrow gave me the chance to have a real impact in Africa on the things that matter.”

José Ernesto Olmeda Pereira
ibes AG
"The lab of tomorrow is developing tailor-made solutions for Africa – transferred into business."

Sabine Dall’Omo
CEO at SIEMENS South Africa
“The lab of tomorrow – innovation isn’t just about products; it’s about making the required change happen.”

Lilian Mbau
Project Manager & NCD Programme Advisor at AMREF