Nigerian Healthcare Startups Can Now Apply for the Amref Innovate for Life Fund

Are you a healthcare startup with a passion for solving Africa’s health challenges? Then the Amref Innovate for Life Fund which looks to support and invest in local entrepreneurs/startups that develop innovative, home-grown solutions is for you.

.@Amref_Worldwide Innovate for Life Fund is a five-month accelerator program specifically designed to support African entrepreneurs to accelerate home-grown health solutions for the African market. Applications are open until June 15 https://t.co/5x1E9EMIrK pic.twitter.com/gwfRZoNlvg

— Biodun Awosusi (@biodunawosusi) June 4, 2018

With less than 1% of global health expenditure and only 3% of the world’s health workers, Africa accounts for almost half the world’s deaths of children under five, battling a heavy toll of death from HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. And as the population in Africa increases the situations would likely go worse. But in recent times, they have been a new generation of startups with technological solutions but they lack the early-stage support.

Amref Innovate for Life Fund targets healthcare startups in Sub-Sahara Africa countries or within the region by offering them the knowledge, business coaching, network and access to funding in order to help them to stimulate home-grown innovations.

The fund will offer a health-specific 5-month accelerator which will feature a maximum of six talented entrepreneurs. The accelerator will combine both virtual and in-residence training at Amref Africa headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. After which the entrepreneurs will enjoy the support of Amref Health Africa’s facilities and their extensive health network in addition to tailored business coaching by Grassroots Business Fund as well as funds from investors and (corporate) partners.

Later in January 2019, a maximum of three entrepreneurs will be invited to partner with Amref Health Africa, which will offer follow up support and joint outreach to investors both in Africa and worldwide.

Applications are now being accepted for Amref Health Africa’s Innovate for Life Fund, a five-month accelerator program specifically designed for African health entrepreneurs https://t.co/yZCScSCtUJ

— Matthew Amusan (@mkoamusan) June 4, 2018

Intending applicants must ensure they have an innovative product or service that is already in the market and has already proven a success in a smaller setting through verifiable traction, which will be supported by the fund to scale and ensure improved primary healthcare in Africa. A health panel and selection committee will select the qualifying applications.

To stimulate home-grown innovation, the Innovate for Life Fund targets entrepreneurs based in Sub Saharan Africa countries with 50% of the founders being from a Sub Saharan Africa country.

Applications are currently open until 15th June 2018. Interested applicants can click here to apply.