The African-led ventures were finalists in this year’s Health Entrepreneurship Challenge. The Challenge offers founders training, coaching and mentorship with U of T accelerators—including H2i, The Bridge and ICUBE—for three months and up to $25,000 in funding for top-performing ventures.
AI-driven software that ensures timely access to blood transfusions. Accessible, affordable and eco-friendly sanitary pads. An app that provides mental health support across a multitude of African languages. Technology that enables fast and accurate vein location to prevent infection from intravenous injections.
These and other health-focused innovations, developed by young startup founders from Rwanda, Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana and South Africa, took centre stage at the African Impact Initiative’s Health Entrepreneurship Ventures Showcase. The event was held on June 24, 2024 at the University of Toronto’s Jackman Law Building.
The Challenge—overseen by the African Impact Initiative—is part of the Africa Health Collaborative (AHC)—which includes eight leading African universities, the University of Toronto and Mastercard Foundation. AHC is a 10-year initiative to enhance workforce education, health ecosystems, and entrepreneurship and innovation across Africa’s primary health-care systems.
“With the support of the Collaborative and its partner institutions, these young founders will help transform the health-care ecosystem in Africa, ultimately improving the health and wellbeing of Africans,” said Meric Gertler, President of U of T. “Let me take this opportunity to say how proud we are that the University of Toronto is a partner in this exciting initiative. I would also like to thank Mastercard Foundation for helping to make it possible.”
The Health Entrepreneurship Ventures Showcase featured founders delivering elevator pitches for their companies, followed by a Q & A session moderated by Efosa Obano, founder of the African Impact Initiative and a U of T alum. The startups included health-focused ventures such as Rocket Health, a Ugandan company that provides low-cost, 24/7 access to telehealth support; Vas MedTech, a South African venture that offers a portable diagnostic camera to help widen access to effective gynecological health screenings; and Health Edu, a Rwandan venture with an e-learning platform featuring a variety of accredited courses for health-care professionals and organizations to improve patient outcomes and enhance health-care skills.
“This year’s Health Entrepreneurship Challenge engaged all eight of the AHC African university partners, with a record-breaking 526 applicants,” said Joseph Wong, Vice-President International at U of T. “The Challenge is demonstrably helping to accelerate innovative, African-led solutions to primary care concerns, reflecting U of T’s strategic plan to widen our partnerships and engagement in Africa.”
The AHC brings together Addis Ababa University, the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, African Leadership University, Amref International University, Ashesi University, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Moi University, the University of Cape Town, the University of Toronto and Mastercard Foundation. All partner institutions were engaged in supporting the Challenge, including this year’s finalists. U of T faculty members and staff, in partnership with these universities, deliver more than 90 programs under the aegis of the Collaborative.
“This showcase underscores how Africa’s young, talented health-focused entrepreneurs have the knowledge, relationships and drive to address local challenges with solutions that will have a positive impact on their communities,” said Ashley Collier, Director, Special Programs Collaboratives, for the Mastercard Foundation. “But they need to be properly resourced. The Health Entrepreneurship Challenge continues to play a vital role in ensuring these founders have every chance to succeed, and we’re proud to be a partner in this work.”
The AHC aims to tackle a shortage in skilled health-care workers across Africa, which is expected to reach about six million roles by 20301. By supporting African-led health innovation, the AHC seeks to bridge health-care gaps and create sustainable job opportunities in the health sector throughout the continent. The Health Entrepreneurship Challenge plays a pivotal role in advancing this mission.
U of T’s participation in the AHC also closely aligns with the university’s broader goals for increased engagement across Africa, including developing strong, collaborative partnerships with representatives from universities, governments and various international development groups. The strategy is guided by the President’s International Council on Engagement with Africa and is outlined in the university’s International Strategic Plan 2022-2027, focused on global reach, global learning and global impact.
Here are the Health Entrepreneurship Challenge featured startups:
A-Lite Uganda Limited, Uganda
The A-Lite vein locator; a non-invasive handheld medical device that uses red-light technology to improve patients’ vein visibility.
Bare Mind Holdings, South Africa
A versatile product/service that operates across multiple commercial verticals within the mental health and wellness industry.
Betalife Health, Nigeria
A SaaS platform leveraging AI to connect hospitals and blood banks by providing real-time analytics in ensuring the timely supply of life-saving products to patients in need.
Chuchu Softies, Nigeria
Specializing in producing and distributing reusable sanitary pads that are inexpensive, widely available and environmentally beneficial.
HealthEdu Ltd., Rwanda
Building the capacity of health professionals and health workers with updated skills and certification through an E-learning platform with a variety of accredited courses.
Rocket Health Africa, Uganda
Leveraging telemedicine and an end-to-end digitally supported platform for prevention, diagnosis, care and treatment for patients with chronic illnesses.
Vas MedTech, South Africa
Creating a more connected future in gynaecological care with easy, affordable devices powered by telehealth for all women.