Lafiya Innovators supports early to mid-stage startups addressing challenges around health in lower and middle-income countries.
Innovating health solutions in emerging economies
Lafiya Innovators is an entrepreneur support programme designed to accelerate early- and mid-stage startups tackling health challenges and their social determinants in emerging economies. Developed by Impact Hub Basel in collaboration with Impact Hub Accra, Impact Hub Dakar, and the African Health Innovation Centre, this initiative supports entrepreneurs throughout their entire venture journey—from refining their business models to securing the due diligence needed for successful fundraising.
Funded by Fondation Botnar and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) Global Programme Health, Lafiya Innovators focuses on scalable solutions that improve access to health, nutrition, education, and other critical determinants of health. The programme places special emphasis on technology-driven innovations and systemic approaches aimed at underserved populations, particularly adolescents, children, and women.
“Lafiya helped me have an overall understanding of how entrepreneurship works, specifically in the health sector. It was very fruitful in guiding me, helping me know myself, lead the direction of the company, and identify how to produce, measure, and forecast results. I’m glad my team can also understand the nature of the business more and improve our harmony in working as a team.”
Participant from the 2023 Lafiya Innovators Cohort
Strengthening the capacity for health entrepreneurship
As the Lafiya Innovators programme concludes in 2023, it leaves a legacy of substantial impact. Over the past 4 years, Lafiya Innovators has made a significant impact, supporting a total of 130 startups from 4 countries–Ghana, Senegal, Colombia, and Cambodia. In 2022 alone, 44 startups were welcomed, with partners praising the exceptional quality of the entrepreneurs, highlighting the programme’s success in fostering high-impact ventures.
Among the 44 ventures, 14 were selected for Lafiya Immersion Week 2023, where they engaged in cross-country collaboration, networked with the University of Basel’s Innovation Office, received Swiss community support, and explored systemic approaches to health innovation with SwissTPH. This immersive experience helped forge valuable connections and lasting memories, while fostering future growth and success for these entrepreneurs.
Our approach
To bring together visionary health startups and create a collaborative ecosystem that drives growth, mentorship, and real-world impact.
Intentional community and mentoring
We carefully curate a diverse cohort of health startups, fostering a vibrant, peer-to-peer learning community. This is reinforced with personalised mentorship from industry experts, ensuring every startup receives the guidance needed to thrive.
Hands-on training and masterclasses
Our programme offers a comprehensive suite of workshops and masterclasses designed to build essential skills in business development and social entrepreneurship.
Field visits and practical exposure
Field visits offer real-world insights into health sector challenges and opportunities. These on-the-ground experiences allow startups to refine their approaches, aligning their solutions with the needs of the communities they serve.
Pitching events and funding opportunities
The programme offers high-impact pitching events, where startups can showcase their innovations to investors and key stakeholders. These events offer visibility, networking, and funding opportunities.
Programme impact
of startups are led by women
in cash awards were distributed among the top four startups
of surveyed participants rated the programme as very or extremely helpful in supporting their entrepreneurial journey
Net Promoter Score suggests that the programme is of exceptional quality and its ability to meet the needs of its participants
programme alumni increased their number of customers
Our partners in change
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