Africa’s most pressing challenges from climate shocks to healthcare gaps demand bold, locally driven solutions. And the Swiss Re Foundation is putting its resources, expertise, and network behind the entrepreneurs already building them. The Swiss Re Foundation Changemakers Africa Incubation Programme 2026 is a five-month hands-on incubation programme designed to support early-stage entrepreneurs across Africa who are developing innovative solutions in healthcare or climate resilience — with participants having the chance to pitch their ventures at the final Demo Day for seed funding of up to USD $15,000. Delivered in partnership with Bridge for Billions, the programme helps founders refine their business model, receive expert mentorship, and connect with a global network of changemakers.
Who Should Apply
Changemakers Africa is designed for early-stage entrepreneurs in Africa tackling challenges in healthcare and climate resilience. The ideal applicant has a socially innovative business in health or climate in its early stages launched within the last two years, or with a Minimum Viable Product — and is seeking a programme to incubate and validate their business plan, with a need for guidance on developing their business model, marketing, fundraising, or impact measurement.
To participate, applicants must also:
- Be based in an African country and able to work fully in English
- Have a reliable internet connection and regular access to a computer or laptop
- Be available to dedicate 6–8 hours per week for five months — a meaningful but manageable commitment for a founder serious about scaling their impact
- Be passionate about driving positive social or environmental change in Africa
- No application fee. Open to entrepreneurs from all African countries.
Two Focus Areas
Healthcare: The Swiss Re Foundation’s access to health focus supports innovative, scalable solutions that improve healthcare access for low-income and underserved communities from community health technology and digital diagnostics to affordable insurance models that protect vulnerable populations from catastrophic health costs.
Climate Resilience: The Foundation’s climate solutions focus backs entrepreneurs building scalable, evidence-based solutions to climate and environmental challenges including climate-smart agriculture, clean energy access, early warning systems, nature-based solutions, and adaptation tools that protect African communities from the mounting impacts of climate change.
What You Will Learn — Programme Curriculum
Business Model Development Founders learn how to make their business unique and how to attract more customers sharpening the value proposition and competitive differentiation that will make their venture stand out to investors, partners, and customers alike.
Pricing & Financial Strategy Participants learn how to calculate costs and price points to drive profits and growth building the financial literacy and modelling skills that turn a promising idea into a fundable, self-sustaining enterprise.
Marketing & Communications Entrepreneurs master the best ways to communicate and promote their business developing the storytelling, branding, and outreach capabilities that attract customers and open doors with impact investors.
Three-Year Financial Projections Founders acquire skills to calculate their business finances for the next three years enabling more informed strategic decisions and giving investors the confidence that the team is thinking seriously about long-term sustainability.
Pitching & Demo Day Preparation Founders refine their pitching skills and prepare for the end-of-programme Demo Day presenting in front of teammates and Swiss Re experts to win one of three prizeswith the final pitch being the culmination of everything learned across the five months.
What You Will Receive
Seed Funding — Up to USD $15,000 Three prizes are awarded at the final Demo Day:
- 1st Place: USD $15,000
- 2nd Place: USD $10,000
- 3rd Place: USD $5,000
These are non-dilutive prizes — no equity is taken in exchange for the funding, making this one of the most founder-friendly seed funding opportunities available to African entrepreneurs today.
Personalised Swiss Re Expert Mentorship Participants receive personalised mentorship from a team of Swiss Re professionals who offer feedback and guidance throughout the programme their expertise validating ideas, structuring processes, and keeping progress accountable giving African founders access to the kind of institutional knowledge that is rarely accessible outside of elite investor networks.
Dynamic Peer Community Founders build friendships and a professional network of entrepreneurs, mentors, and Swiss Re experts connections that extend well beyond the programme and serve as long-term support for growth because who you know in Africa’s growing startup ecosystem matters as much as what you build.
Access to Global Bridge for Billions Network Participants connect and collaborate with like-minded social entrepreneurs as well as the global network of professionals with valuable connections that extend beyond the programme, serving as long-term support for growth.
Why This Programme Matters
The Swiss Re Foundation’s mission is to make the world more resilient by advancing innovative solutions to climate and health challenges — and Changemakers Africa is one of its most direct investments in the entrepreneurs who are closest to those challenges, building the locally rooted solutions that can actually reach the last mile. For African founders working at the intersection of climate and health, this programme offers something rare real funding, real mentorship, and a real global network, without giving away a single share of your company.
