Investing in Innovation Africa (i3) Cohort 3 – Up to $225,000 Grant: Apply Now

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Application Deadline: February 28, 2025

Are you an African-led healthtech startup working to bring affordable, high-quality healthcare products and services closer to patients? If so, this could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for! Investing in Innovation (i3) is now accepting applications for its third cohort, offering up to $225,000 in grant funding and invaluable support to help scale your impact across Africa.

About the i3 Program

Investing in Innovation (i3) is a pan-African commercialization support program designed to help 5-7 healthtech startups scale their solutions and transform healthcare access across the continent. Sponsored by Gates Foundation, MSD, Cencora, Chemonics, Endless Foundation, HELP Logistics, and Sanofi, i3 provides financial resources, mentorship, and strategic connections with key healthcare stakeholders.

What You’ll Gain

1. Access to Markets
i3 connects startups with governments, donors, and global health institutions to drive adoption and scale solutions effectively.

2. Risk-Tolerant Finance
Startups selected for the third cohort will receive up to $225,000 in grant funding, helping them overcome key barriers such as regulatory compliance and WHO pre-qualification.

3. Partnership Readiness Support
The program provides a structured roadmap to ensure startups meet the necessary requirements for successful partnerships with large healthcare organizations.

4. Bespoke Deal Facilitation
i3 assists innovators in refining their strategic positioning, increasing the chances of forming impactful partnerships with major players in the healthcare industry.

5. Communications and Advocacy
Selected startups will benefit from high-level communications and advocacy efforts, amplifying their work within the global health landscape. Additionally, i3 actively works to address systemic barriers that impact healthtech innovation in Africa.

Who Should Apply?

For this cohort, i3 is seeking African-led healthtech startups that leverage technology and data to enhance pharmacy services and healthcare delivery. Ideal candidates will have innovative solutions focused on making high-quality, affordable healthcare products and services more accessible across the continent.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, startups must meet the following criteria:

1. African Ownership & Focus

  • Must be headquartered in or have a legal presence in Africa.
  • Must be owned, led, or operated by African citizens.
  • Must focus on serving African markets and meeting local healthcare needs.

2. Tech-Enabled & Data-Driven

  • Must offer technology-enabled solutions to improve pharmacy services, healthcare delivery, or product distribution.
  • Healthtech startups developing novel health products or devices as part of their delivery services are eligible.
  • Startups focused solely on research, education, or product development are not eligible.

3. Growth-Stage Focus

  • Must be a growth-stage tech-enabled business with a legal presence in Africa.
  • Should have products/services at or near national scale in at least one country.
  • Must have a well-defined revenue model, strong sales, and operational capabilities.
  • Should demonstrate annual revenues exceeding $500,000 USD.

4. Social Impact
Startups should demonstrate how grant funding will directly enhance accessibility, availability, affordability, quality, and visibility of critical healthcare services in Africa.

Selection Process

A panel of expert judges from the Gates Foundation, MSD, accelerator partners, and independent African healthcare and innovation experts will evaluate applicants across three levels:

  1. Initial Screening: Eligible startups will be shortlisted based on the provided criteria.
  2. Comprehensive Assessment: The top 10 startups will be selected for a second evaluation based on a common scorecard.
  3. Final Selection: The top 5-7 startups will be invited to pitch virtually before a final decision is made.

The i3 Steering Committee will then review the final selections to ensure equity and alignment with program goals.

Application Deadline

The application window closes on February 28, 2025. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submissions are encouraged!

For more information and application, Click here

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