Envisionit Deep AI, a South African startup, won $50,000 at the Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge with its healthcare solution, Radify. The startup won a second runner-up title and was one of the top 20 winning teams.
The challenge, which launched in 2017, awards cash prizes to early-stage startups that have developed technological solutions to economic, social, or environmental problems.
The challenge received 1745 entries from 126 countries around the world.
“The $50 000 USD prize is an acknowledgement of hope to continue our mission, which is to address challenges in medical imaging diagnosis,” Envisionit Deep AI Co-founder and CEO, Dr Jaishree Naidoo, said in a statement.
Naidoo founded Envisionit with Andrei Migatchev and Terence Naidu in 2019. Radify was then created by the medical technology company. Radify is an artificial intelligence solution that radiologists can use to detect abnormalities on X-rays and other images.
It is capable of labeling and prioritizing over 2 000 X-rays per minute and assisting in the early detection of infectious diseases. It can also triage patients based on their risk of tuberculosis in children and adults. Radify solutions are available from Envisionit for chest X-rays, breast imaging, and ultrasound. As a result, it can be used to diagnose other diseases such as breast cancer.
The startup aims to partner with African governments and private sectors. It aims to provide access to paediatric diagnostic care to children under the age of 15.
“We understand the important role technology plays in transforming radiology,” Naidoo added.