SafeBangle Technologies behind the scenes with Response Innovation Lab
A piece by Saul Kabali, Co-Founder of SafeBangle Technologies
Innovations need a few basic ingredients to grow: an idea, a vision, startup funding. However, in the pursuit of new solutions to critical humanitarian challenges, an innovator also requires a nurturing environment to gain experience, utilize a variety of tools, and get exposed to new ideas and partners to develop their leadership skills and improve their creation.
The Response Innovation Lab (RIL) advances the development of the innovations through network building and enhancement of leadership and innovation management skills, so that innovators are able to tackle the plethora of challenges that they face. Currently, RIL is incubating SafeBangle to spur the growth of their idea into an impactful innovation. The Ugandan startup has developed a wearable safety bracelet that supports potential victims of violence by providing them with access to immediate help from trusted relatives and friends.
In the past two years, RIL supported SafeBangle innovators to pivot from prototyping in a closed network of family and friends to include users across the community and beyond to incorporate real data and feedback. In addition, RIL supported the engagement of partner organizations to help improve SafeBangle bracelet in both functionality and design.
Capacity strengthening
As a co-founder, I have gained critical support from the leadership at RIL in developing my capacity in innovation management. By working part-time at RIL as a Data Management and Research Officer, I have gained essential skills to run and manage SafeBangle daily activities, for example; I gained experience in public speaking and pitched SafeBangle to the Spindle and our team was recognized as one of the 30 most inspiring digital innovations of 2020. I have access to RIL resources and training to use RIL innovation toolkits efficiently and collect feedback and evidence about our innovation. In addition, with support from RIL, I was able to create advocacy tools like the SafeBangle Investment Appeal, a document showing who we are, impact created and our vision and used them to apply for the Digital Human Rights Innovation Program 1.0, a call for ideas to improve human rights work in Uganda. We were among the 10 innovators out of 140 that were selected for the 6-months mentorship program coupled with funding worth Ugx17 million (Usd4500) to support the development of the next SafeBangle prototype and its test with users.
Saul Kabali, operations lead at SafeBangle conducting an interview with woman leader in Moroto.
SafeBangle Learning Event
Messach Luminsa, lead developer at SafeBangle demonstrating to volunteer how to use bracelet during 2021 prototype test
Connecting to the innovation ecosystem
The RIL works closely with many partners and stakeholders in Uganda’s innovation ecosystem. I have broadened my professional network and RIL has enabled collaboration across the industry by advocating for SafeBangle Technologies through introductions to like-minded founders like Gitta Brian from Matibabu and Joshua Businge from Fynixwave who are also tech innovators testing solutions to challenges faced in our Ugandan communities. Having access to the insight of other creators has helped me learn and apply best practices. Through RIL’s referrals, I am exposed to advisors and experts who have passion for developing solutions and they helped greatly while developing the SafeBangle bracelet. For example; Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL) supported me to refine SafeBangle business model and think critically about our target audience and their purchasing power and Leaves Art and Animations Studio, who supported us with a refined design for internal parts and their 3-D printing.
Support innovation iteration and management
RIL encourages innovators to engage and design with the user using accessible free tools on their website to support innovation iteration and management. In 2020, the RIL working collaboratively with Save the Children and supported our team to carry out industrial testing for version four of the SafeBangle bracelet in five districts of Karamoja region which include; Moroto, Kotido, Napak, and Nakapiripiriti, which enabled us to receive recommendations and feedback to make informed decisions on the shape, appearance, and functionality of the innovation..
I appreciate the mentorship of RIL as it has helped me identify problems in advance and suggested a process and iterations to address them. To all innovators out there, expect failures as part of the process and always encourage your team members to learn from them because through this mindset, your innovation will reach its full potential.
By Saul Kabali, Co-founder SafeBangle Technologies