In 2024, Villgro Africa launched a dedicated program to support women-led healthcare startups and investing in women leading healthcare organizations across the continent. With backing from Johnson & Johnson, Boehringer Ingelheim, and a growing network of partners, the initiative set out to identify, fund, and accelerate high-potential ventures addressing critical healthcare challenges.
The first cohort brought together 31 women-led startups from 11 countries, with 22 of them receiving funding through grants and equity investments. Beyond financial support, the program provided tailored mentorship, technical assistance, and access to a growing network of healthcare innovation stakeholders.
Now, with several companies raising follow-on funding and expanding their impact, the results from Cohort 1 highlight the value of targeted support for women entrepreneurs in healthcare.
From the outset, the program was crafted around deep insight and intentionality. It began with a perception study and workshop that gathered real-world input from women founders. This approach allowed Villgro Africa and our partners to design tailored support systems that addressed the unique challenges facing women entrepreneurs in the healthcare sector.
The results spoke volumes: nearly 200 applications from 12 countries poured in, validating the hunger for inclusive, targeted innovation support. After carrying out our review and due diligence process, 31 companies were selected for program support—of which 26 received direct funding through grants and equity investments totaling over $400,000.
One of the most compelling outcomes of Cohort 1 is the early demonstration of financial success. Several startups, including Malaica, Ambulex, One Health, Gideon Inno Textiles, Foi Science, and Pana Care, secured over $750,000 in follow-on grants and equity investments. These ventures not only proved the viability of women-led innovations, but also gained credibility in the eyes of external funders and partners.
Some highlights:
One of the program’s key insights was the importance of connection. Peer learning, in-person engagements, and mentorship proved critical to founder confidence and execution. While challenges like slow mentorship rollout and limited startup-to-startup collaboration emerged, the learnings have already shaped future plans.
For instance, Villgro Africa is now prioritizing:
Eight standout companies from Cohort 1 have already been selected for extended acceleration, backed by committed seed funding and tailored growth plans.
By building stronger ecosystems, attracting new funding, and continuing to support diverse women-led solutions, Villgro Africa is not just investing in startups—it's investing in health equity, economic empowerment, and Africa’s future.
Cohort 1’s success is clear: targeted support, catalytic funding, and community-driven innovation can elevate women-led startups to new heights. The multiplier effect is already underway and, with continued commitment, Villgro Africa is proving that investing in women innovators is not only the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do.
Looking ahead, Villgro Africa is continuing to support women founders through targeted funding calls and are currently preparing to announce our exciting 2025 cohort.