The Health Equity for Africa Program is an innovative initiative by Boehringer Ingelheim and Villgro Africa, created to empower social entrepreneurs (SEs) who are dedicated to addressing health disparities throughout the continent.
This initiative is part of Boehringer Ingelheim’s sustainability commitment to enhance the lives of 50 million people by 2030 through social engagement models.
By providing incubation, acceleration, and catalytic funding, the program aims to equip high-impact social enterprises with the tools they need to scale their solutions and foster sustainable health equity.
Why Apply?
This program offers unmatched support to social enterprises striving to improve healthcare access in underserved communities. Selected SEs will gain access to:
- Catalytic Funding: Grants of up to USD 80K to fuel growth and impact.
- Tailored Support: Six months of incubation followed by six months of acceleration, complete with expert mentorship and coaching.
- Investor Connections: Direct access to potential investors to explore funding opportunities.
- Capacity Building: Includes masterclasses, diagnostic panels, and research support aimed at strengthening business models and enhancing investment readiness.
- Global Exposure: An opportunity to showcase their work and network at the annual Making More Health Together (MMH T) convention in Germany.
Who Should Apply?
To be eligible for this transformative program, social enterprises must meet the following criteria:
- Registered for-profit business with operations in at least one African market.
- Post-revenue company with an annual revenue of at least USD 250,000 and a strong operational track record.
- Demonstrated market traction, serving a sizeable customer base and addressing significant demand.
- Seeking to raise USD 1M+ in the next year, with a clear growth strategy.
- A full-time, dedicated founding team, with the enterprise operational for a minimum of three years.
- Evidence of clear social impact, improving healthcare access for at least 60,000 people annually.
- Proven ability to leverage funding and secure financing through grants, equity, or debt.
- Compliance with regulatory frameworks pertaining to the healthcare sector and investment standards.
- A robust impact measurement framework with defined KPIs for tracking health outcomes and financial performance.
- Encompassing a geographical focus on Africa.
Program Structure
Incubation Phase (6 Months)
- Weekly coaching from a dedicated portfolio manager and expert mentors.
- Monthly masterclasses focusing on business modeling, operations, and investment readiness.
- Graduation pitches for a chance to advance to the acceleration phase (selection for acceleration is not guaranteed).
- Access to incubation grants based on a needs assessment.
Acceleration Phase (6 Months)
- Bi-weekly coaching and expert-led mentorship.
- Quarterly diagnostic panels featuring industry leaders.
- Availability of research vouchers to validate and refine solutions.
- Investor connections, including direct engagement from Boehringer Ingelheim and Villgro Africa.
- A showcase at MMH T, facilitating networking and investment opportunities.
Ready to Transform Healthcare in Africa?
If your social enterprise is committed to bridging health equity gaps in Africa, do not hesitate—apply today and elevate your innovation to new heights.
Applications close on 30th April 2025.
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