IMPROVING HEALTH ACROSS AFRICA IS GOOD BUSINESS

Investing in Innovation (i3) is a pan-African initiative to support the commercialization and impact of leading startups with grants, introductions to major healthcare organizations and support to close partnerships.
Apply to Join Our Next Cohort
An illustration of 3 people with devices and ideas for innovation
About

Are you an African-led business whose technology expands patients' access to care?

i3 has supported over 60 early-stage and growth-stage innovators from 18 African countries to grow their businesses by providing risk-tolerant funding, development support and supporting market access. We’re looking to support even more companies.
Meet Our Innovators
Icon of a hand and money sign in white and red in front of a dark blue circle

$3M

in direct grants to i3 innovators
Icon of a pattern in red and white in front of a dark blue circle

450

key introductions facilitated to donors, governments, and industries
Icon of a bar graph in red in front of a dark blue circle

$50M

in additional funding raised by innovators since joining i3
Icon of a document in red in front of a dark blue circle

$11M

in contracts to innovators, directly influenced by i3
Our Offering

Companies in the 3rd I3 cohort will benefit from 5 offerings over a 3 year period

01

Customer introductions

i3 connects innovators with major healthcare organizations, driving adoption and scale.
i3 Innovations Africa Cohort 2 at an event

02

Partnership readiness support

i3 helps innovators meet the requirements for partnerships with leading healthcare organizations.

03

Risk-Tolerant Funding

$50K grants for early-stage innovators and up to $225K for growth-stage innovators to unlock partnerships.
Two people speaking at an i3 event

04

Bespoke Deal Facilitation

i3 refines innovators' strategic positioning to boost partnership and deal success.

05

Communications and Advocacy

Highly professionalized communications and advocacy to amplify innovators' work and resolve ecosystem barriers.

Join the i3 program and get the support you need to grow your business and deliver better health.

Apply Now

i3 IS BACKED BY SOME OF THE WORLD’S LEADING HEALTHCARE & SUPPLY CHAIN ORGANIZATIONS

Logo of Gates FoundationLogo of MSDLogo of SanofiLogo of CencoraLogo of ChemonicsLogo of Endless Foundation
i3 is coordinated by:
Logo of SalientLogo of Scidar

i3 IS BACKED BY SOME OF THE WORLD’S LEADING HEALTHCARE & SUPPLY CHAIN ORGANIZATIONS

Logo of Gates FoundationLogo of MSDLogo of Merck for MothersLogo of Kuhne FoundationLogo of ChemonicsLogo of Endless FoundationLogo of CencoraLogo of Sanofi
i3 is coordinated by:
Logo of SalientLogo of Scidar

Application Closed

Do you think your venture can bring affordable, high-quality health products and services closer to where patients are?

You might belong in our next cohort. Learn more about our application process and selection criteria below or sign up for our newsletter to be notified when applications open.
Person using a laptop placed in front of a large red background circle with lines and charts surrounding
  • Healthcare supply chain innovators offer an unprecedented potential to overcome the hurdles of affordability, availability, and greater convenience for patients in Africa. At a time when global supply chains are so much in focus, and the use of data and digital technology is creating new business models to serve historically underserved markets, innovators in healthcare supply chains need to be the vanguard, not followers.
    Prashant Yadav, Senior Fellow FOR GLOBAL HEALTH, COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS (CFR).
  • African health innovators have shown increasing capacity to leverage technology to optimize supply chains and advance access to medicines. Such local innovations have the potential to change how supply chains and health systems function – and it is time to support them. We are pleased to be collaborating with strong global and continental partners to jointly strengthen African health systems, and accelerate progress towards universal health coverage.
    Cheikh Oumar Seydi, Director, Africa (2018-2024), Gates Foundation.
  • There has been considerable progress in tech-driven innovation in health product distribution across Africa. Spurring and scaling disruptive innovation in health supply chain is key to expanding access to medicines for all. That’s why we, at MSD, are excited to collaborate on the I3 program.
    Dr Sheriff Abdullahi, AVP, Global Market Access, Sustainable Access Solutions, MSD.
  • Africa is often seen through the lens of problems, struggles, and poverty. But embedded in much of the continent’s struggles is immense opportunity. By identifying and supporting market-creating innovations in Africa, the I3 program seeks to unlock tremendous value in healthcare supply chains across the continent.
    Efosa Ojomo, Global Prosperity Lead, Clayton Christensen Institute; 
    Co-author, The Prosperity Paradox: How Innovation Can Lift Nations Out of Poverty.
  • Healthcare supply chain innovators offer an unprecedented potential to overcome the hurdles of affordability, availability, and greater convenience for patients in Africa. At a time when global supply chains are so much in focus, and the use of data and digital technology is creating new business models to serve historically underserved markets, innovators in healthcare supply chains need to be the vanguard, not followers.
    Prashant Yadav, Senior Fellow FOR GLOBAL HEALTH, COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS (CFR).
  • African health innovators have shown increasing capacity to leverage technology to optimize supply chains and advance access to medicines. Such local innovations have the potential to change how supply chains and health systems function – and it is time to support them. We are pleased to be collaborating with strong global and continental partners to jointly strengthen African health systems, and accelerate progress towards universal health coverage.
    Cheikh Oumar Seydi, Director, Africa (2018-2024), Gates Foundation.
© 2025 Investing in Innovation Africa