You can now apply for the Health Equity for Africa Program, an initiative by Boehringer Ingelheim and Villgro Africa designed to support social entrepreneurs (SEs) tackling health disparities across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The program aims to improve the lives of 50 million people through social engagement models by 2030. Through incubation, acceleration, and catalytic funding, it empowers impactful social enterprises to scale their solutions and drive sustainable health equity.
How much is involved?
Minimum is $10,000 and maximum is $100,000
Program Structure
- Incubation Phase (6 Months)
- Weekly coaching from a dedicated portfolio manager and expert mentors.
- Monthly masterclasses covering business modelling, operations, and investment readiness.
- Graduation pitches for the chance to move to the acceleration phase (selection for acceleration is not assured).
- Access to incubation grants based on need assessment.
- Acceleration Phase (6 Months)
- Bi-weekly coaching and expert-led mentorship.
- Quarterly diagnostic panels with industry leaders.
- Access to research vouchers to validate and refine solutions.
- Investor connections, with direct engagement from Boehringer Ingelheim and Villgro Africa.
- Showcase at MMH T for networking and investment opportunities.
Benefits
- The program gives support to social enterprises working to improve healthcare access in underserved communities. Selected SEs will benefit from:
- Catalytic Funding: Grants up to USD 80K to support growth and impact.
- Tailored Support: Six months of incubation and six months of acceleration, including expert mentorship and coaching.
- Investor Connections: Direct linkages to potential investors to explore funding opportunities.
- Capacity Building: Masterclasses, diagnostic panels, and research support to strengthen business models and investment readiness.
- Global Exposure: A showcase and networking opportunity at the annual Making More Health Together (MMH T) convention in Germany.
Eligibility Criteria
- To be eligible, social enterprises must meet the following criteria:
- Registered for-profit business with operations in at least one African market.
- Post-revenue company with a minimum annual revenue of USD 250,000 and a strong operational track record.
- Demonstrated market traction, serving a sizable customer base and addressing a clear demand.
- Seeking to raise USD 1M+ in the next year with a clear growth strategy.
- A full-time, dedicated founding team, with the company operating for at least three years.
- 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 within the healthcare sector and investment standards.
- Robust impact measurement framework with defined KPIs for tracking health outcomes and financial performance.
- Geographical focus on Africa.
Deadline: Deadline Date: April 30, 2025
How to apply
Click HERE to start your application
The Health Equity for Africa Program, launched by Boehringer Ingelheim and Villgro Africa, is a support initiative for social entrepreneurs addressing health disparities in Sub-Saharan Africa. The program aims to impact 50 million lives by 2030 through social enterprise solutions bolstered by incubation, acceleration, and funding. Participants receive grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, with further potential funding of up to $80,000 for growth and impact. The program spans two phases: a six-month incubation phase offering weekly coaching, monthly masterclasses, and access to grants, followed by a six-month acceleration phase with bi-weekly mentorship, investor connections, and networking at the MMH Together convention.
Eligibility for the program requires social enterprises to be registered for-profit businesses operating in at least one African market, have a minimum annual revenue of $250,000, and demonstrate market traction and a clear growth strategy. Applicants should also prove their social impact, with healthcare improvement for at least 60,000 people annually, and comply with industry regulations. The application deadline is April 30, 2025. Interested entities can apply through the link provided on Villgro Africa’s website.
