Villgro Africa

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Villgro Africa Enabling health innovators that impact the poor through social enterprise

Founded in 2001, Villgro Innovations Foundation is India's largest and oldest social enterprise incubator. Over the years, Villgro has supported 109 enterprises, who have gone on to generate around 4,000 jobs, secure INR 1124 million (USD 17.8 million) in follow-on funding and touched 15 million lives. Motivated by their track record, we were inspired to replicate Villgro's incubation model in Kenya. Villgro's programs immerse, inspire, mentor and fund early-stage innovative for-profit enterprises that seek to address some of the world’s most pressing problems using market-based approaches. Their integrated incubation support offers end-to-end support to entrepreneurs in a continuum from idea stage, pre-product, pre-revenue all the way to scale. Set up under the legal entity Kenya Impact Incubator, Villgro Kenya hopes to inspire a new wave of innovative thinking around solving some of the specific challenges within the Kenyan health ecosystem. Incoming entrepreneurs will be coached and immersed in business model best practices while sharpening their innovative ideas. Access to the right networks is vital for the success of any entrepreneurial venture; Villgro Kenya hopes to create opportunities for increased collaboration around a broad stakeholder network. To accomplish this, Villgro Kenya is building partnerships between health professionals with entrepreneurial aspirations, the private sector, NGOs, academic institutions who wish to provide access to market for innovations, and government who appreciate that increased health of citizens is the foundation for greater economic opportunities.

1 week to go!Applications for the Villgro Africa MedTech Innovation Program close on 30 September 2026.We are looking fo...
23/09/2026

1 week to go!

Applications for the Villgro Africa MedTech Innovation Program close on 30 September 2026.

We are looking for locally led invention-based enterprises (IBEs) in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Ethiopia developing tech-enabled medical solutions for East African healthcare systems.

Eligible enterprises should:
- Have, at minimum, a functional proof of concept or prototype
- Address a clearly evidenced health-system or patient need
- Have a differentiated medical or manufacturing technology
- Demonstrate engagement with intended users or relevant healthcare stakeholders
- Have the potential to manufacture, deploy and scale responsibly across African markets

Six selected enterprises will receive tailored support across product development, regulatory and quality readiness, manufacturing, market development, investment readiness and responsible growth.

Applications close on 30 September 2026.

Learn more and apply here: https://vc4a.com/villgro-africa/call-for-medtech-innovation-program/?lang=en

For assistance or enquiries, contact us at [email protected].

We are looking for a part-time Human Resources Coordinator at Villgro Africa.The role will support our HR coordination a...
18/09/2026

We are looking for a part-time Human Resources Coordinator at Villgro Africa.

The role will support our HR coordination and administration while helping strengthen the people practices and organisational systems that support our growing team.

We are looking for someone who brings professional judgement, discretion, attention to detail and a proactive approach, alongside strong HR experience and knowledge of Kenyan employment practices.

See the attached job description for details on the role, responsibilities and qualifications.

Key Details:
- Location: Kenya (Remote or Hybrid)
- Type: Part-time (approximately 15–20 hours/week)
- How to Apply: Send your CV and cover letter to [email protected]

Applications close on 15 October 2026.

Call for tech-enabled, invention-based MedTech enterprises in East Africa!Applications are open for the Villgro Africa M...
16/09/2026

Call for tech-enabled, invention-based MedTech enterprises in East Africa!

Applications are open for the Villgro Africa MedTech Innovation Program, supporting locally led invention-based enterprises (IBEs) developing medical solutions for East African healthcare systems.

We are looking for enterprises in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Ethiopia that:
- Have, at a minimum, a functional proof of concept or prototype
- Develop medical devices, healthcare equipment or diagnostics
- Develop maternal, newborn and child health technologies
- Develop assistive technologies and rehabilitation devices
- Build connected devices, remote-monitoring or clinical decision-support tools
- Develop artificial intelligence and data-enabled medical products
- Develop technologies enabling safe and affordable local production of medical products

Six selected enterprises will receive tailored support across:
- Product development and validation
- Clinical, regulatory and quality readiness
- Manufacturing readiness
- Market and business model development
- Investment readiness

Applications close on 30 September 2026.

Learn more and apply here: https://vc4a.com/villgro-africa/call-for-medtech-innovation-program/?lang=en

For assistance or enquiries, contact us at [email protected]

1 day to go!Have you submitted your application yet?Applications for Cohort 3 of the MORE HEALTH for Africa Program clos...
10/09/2026

1 day to go!

Have you submitted your application yet?

Applications for Cohort 3 of the MORE HEALTH for Africa Program close tomorrow!

The program supports ambitious health-focused social enterprises across Africa with catalytic funding, tailored support and global exposure, delivered in partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim.

Deadline: 11 September 2026

Find more information and apply here: https://villgroafrica.org/funding_calls/more-health-for-africa-program-mhfa-cohort-3/

A journey of learning, growth and connection comes to a close as we celebrate the completion of the 2025 African Women I...
09/09/2026

A journey of learning, growth and connection comes to a close as we celebrate the completion of the 2025 African Women Innovating in Healthcare (AWIIH) program.

Over the course of the program, an inspiring cohort of women founders came together to strengthen their businesses, deepen their leadership, exchange experiences and build connections with peers and experts across the health innovation ecosystem.

Through mentorship, capacity-building sessions and opportunities to learn from one another, the cohort explored what it takes to build and grow impactful health ventures while navigating the realities of entrepreneurship across Africa.

As the program concludes, we celebrate how far each founder has come and the businesses they continue to build.

To the 2025 AWIIH cohort, congratulations on completing this chapter. We look forward to following your journeys and seeing the impact you continue to create across Africa’s health sector.

Our appreciation goes to our partners, mentors, facilitators and everyone who contributed their time and expertise throughout the program.

UBS

Calling African startups!Applications are now open for the Africa Startup Congress 2027 National Pitch Competitions and ...
03/09/2026

Calling African startups!

Applications are now open for the Africa Startup Congress 2027 National Pitch Competitions and Roadshows, an Africa-wide initiative bringing together high-potential early-stage startups from 10 countries.

The national pitch competitions will give selected founders an opportunity to showcase their ventures before investors, mentors and key ecosystem stakeholders, gain greater visibility and build valuable connections. Startups will be assessed based on innovation, scalability, traction and impact potential, with country finalists progressing to the continental pitch at Africa Startup Congress 2027 in Kigali, Rwanda.

The pitch competitions and roadshows will take place in Cameroon, Congo, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria between October and November 2026.

For startups in Kenya, the National Pitch Competition and Roadshow will take place in Nairobi on 17 November 2026.

Villgro Africa is pleased to support this initiative alongside Accelerate Africa, Africa Fintech Foundry, Startup Hub and UNDP, creating opportunities for promising African startups to showcase their solutions and connect with the wider innovation ecosystem.

Applications close on 30 September 2026.

Register here: https://africastartupcongress.org/contest

28/08/2026

Solving complex health challenges takes investment in ideas that have the potential to create meaningful change.

The path from an idea to meaningful impact requires the right opportunities, support and connections.

Barbara Mendoza of Challenge Works shares why the Wellcome Trust Snakebite Innovation Prize matters and the opportunity it creates for innovators to develop and advance solutions to a longstanding global health challenge.

For those developing their entries, the second Entrant Support Session offers an opportunity to connect with the Wellcome Prize team, ask questions and get clarity on the entry process ahead of the deadline.

Key Details:
- Date: 2 September 2026
- Time: 11:00 AM EAT
- Register here: https://snakebiteprize.challenges.org/events/entrant-support-session-2

Applications for the Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize close 16 September 2026. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4vOmSoi

We are proud to celebrate two Villgro Africa-supported innovators who have made it to the Top 10 of the Africa’s Busines...
27/08/2026

We are proud to celebrate two Villgro Africa-supported innovators who have made it to the Top 10 of the Africa’s Business Heroes 2026 competition.

Congratulations to Naom Monari, Founder of BENA CARE KE and Joseph Paul, Founder of Dawa Mkononi, on this remarkable achievement.

They were selected from more than 24,000 applications submitted across all 54 African countries. This is a significant milestone and a reflection of the strength, ambition, and potential of their businesses.

We are proud to see two Villgro-supported ventures achieve this impressive distinction. Our work is centred on supporting African health innovators to build stronger businesses, navigate the challenges of growth, unlock investment, and develop solutions that can create meaningful impact across the continent.

Naom is advancing access to kidney care through BenaCare’s mobile dialysis solution, while Joseph is working to strengthen access to medicines through Dawa Mkononi.

Their recognition is a reminder of what can happen when locally rooted innovation is backed by the right support, networks, and opportunities to grow.

Join us in congratulating Naom, Joseph, and the entire BenaCare and Dawa Mkononi teams. We look forward to celebrating what comes next.

3 weeks to go!Applications for Cohort 3 of the MORE HEALTH for Africa Program are open to ambitious health-focused socia...
21/08/2026

3 weeks to go!

Applications for Cohort 3 of the MORE HEALTH for Africa Program are open to ambitious health-focused social enterprises across Africa, offering catalytic funding, tailored support and global exposure.

This program is delivered in partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim.

Deadline: 11 September 2026

Find more information and apply here: https://villgroafrica.org/funding_calls/more-health-for-africa-program-mhfa-cohort-3/

21/08/2026

Responding to snakebite is not simply about acknowledging its scale, but about confronting what has been left out of the response: gaps in knowledge, access, and innovation that continue to shape outcomes.

Our CEO, Wilfred Njagi, speaks to why the Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize matters, and the opportunity it creates to support new approaches to a longstanding global health challenge.

For those working towards submitting an entry, the first Entrant Support Session offers an opportunity to connect with the Wellcome Prize team, ask questions and get clarity on eligibility, track selection, judging criteria, the entry process and finalist expectations.

Key Details:
- Date: 26 August 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM EAT
- Register here: https://snakebiteprize.challenges.org/events/entrant-support-session-1

Applications for the Wellcome Trust Snakebite Innovation Prize are open until 16 September 2026. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4vOmSoi

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Bishop Magua Center
Nairobi

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