Ruta-N Launches #InnovaPorLaVida Initiative To Seek Innovative Weapons Against COVID-19 Pandemic

Medellín’s entrepreneurship incubator Ruta-N has launched a participatory initiative that seeks to generate rapid solutions that contribute to prevention, care and control of the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic. The “#InnovaPorLaVida” platform is now on line, with the goal of channeling initiatives by academia, business, and the public sector that can have an impact in managing the pandemic such as:

• Mass diagnostic tests for the early detection of asymptomatic and contact of COVID-19.
• Creation of applications and technological platforms based on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to feed decision-making in the health system.
• Design, prototyping and clinical testing of open source ventilators for intensive care units.
• Strengthening the capacity of the Medellín hospital network: adaptation of unused spaces, purchase of equipment, training of personnel and acquisition of elements that protect against contagion.

The initiative launched March 27 with seed donations from Bancolombia and beverage company Postobón.

“#InnovaPorLaVida allows us to support solutions that our entrepreneurial ecosystem is generating to face the effects of COVD-19. It is not one or two projects, but several lines that include various initiatives, developed startups, that are working hard to provide solutions to the needs of the city through science, technology and innovation,” said Juan Andrés Vásquez, the new executive director of Ruta N.

“it is joining efforts to support project lines such as the one that seeks to increase diagnostic tests or tests, or the one that encompasses all applications and technological platforms, and even that which seeks to strengthen the capabilities of the hospital network and design elements of protection for health personnel. They are all efforts of hundreds of people, of dozens of organizations that we want to give a big boost with #InnovaPorLaVida.”