Deadline:1St May 2026
Are you an entrepreneur in Africa with an innovative solution in healthcare or the environment?
The Swiss Re Foundation, in partnership with Bridge for Billions, invites you to join Changemakers Africa — a 5-month hands-on incubation program designed to help you refine your business model, receive expert mentorship, and connect with a global network of changemakers.
Take your venture to the next level and contribute to make the world more resilient.
If your business or initiative aligns with one or more of our key themes, you could be a great fit for our program.
Climate Solutions
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The business contributes to sustainability, conservation, or climate resilience.
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Demonstrates use of nature-based solutions or circular economy principles.
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Helps communities adapt to climate change (e.g., flood-resistant infrastructure, net-zero transformation).
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Supports biodiversity or healthy ecosystems (e.g., urban gardening, soil regeneration, climate-smart agriculture).
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Incorporates renewable energy or promotes waste reduction.
Access to Health
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Enhances healthcare accessibility (e.g., brick-and-click models improving telemedicine, public health efficiencies).
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Addresses preventable lifestyle diseases (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease, malnutrition, obesity).
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Provides climate-resilient health solutions (e.g., mitigating health impacts of heatwaves or pollution).
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Supports nutritional security (e.g., food banks, zero hunger initiatives, access to quality nutrition).
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Encourages healthy habits and preventative health measures.
Benefits
- Dynamic Community – Build friendships and a professional network of entrepreneurs, mentors and Swiss Re experts. Here, you’ll learn, share, and grow together.
- Mentorship – Receive personalized mentorship from a team of Swiss Re professionals that will offer feedback and guidance during the programme. Their expertise will be great to validate ideas, structure processes and keep your progress accountable.
- Seed Funding – Refine your pitching skills and prepare for our end-of-programme Demo Day. Present in front of your teammates and Swiss Re experts to win one of our 3 prizes: 1st place = $15.000; 2nd place = $10.000; 3rd place = $5.000
- Expand Your Network – Connect and collaborate with like-minded social entrepreneurs’, as well as our global network of professionals. We promise these valuable connections will extend beyond the programme, serving as support for your growth.
Eligibility
- You have a socially innovative business in health or climate in its early stages (eg. launched within the last 2 years, or Minimum Viable Product).
- You are seeking a program to incubate and validate your business plan. You want guidance on developing your business model, marketing, fundraising, or impact measurement.
- You’re based in an African country and can dedicate to working in a program fully in English.
- You’re passionate about making a positive impact and are open to dedicating 6–8 hours per week for 5 months.
- You have a reliable internet connection and access to a computer/laptop that you can use regularly.
For more information and application.