To assist African startups in healthcare supply chains, i3 announced its third call for applications

Leading innovators are being invited to join the third cohort of Investing in Innovation Africa (i3), a pan-African initiative for startups creating the healthcare supply chains of the future.

With funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and support from MSD, Cencora, the Endless Foundation, HELP Logistics, Sanofi’s Global Health Unit, and Chemonics, i3 is committed to helping promising early- and growth-stage businesses become commercialized.

Prominent accelerators Villgro Africa, IMPACT Lab, Startupbootcamp Afritech, and CcHUB provide selected startups with grant funding, customized investment readiness support, and introductions to top industry, donor, and government potential clients.

Applications for its third cohort, which will select 15 startups—10 early-stage and five growth-stage—are currently being accepted. In 2023, 29 companies joined its second cohort. A US $225,000 grant will be given to growth-stage startups, and a US $50,000 grant will be given to early-stage startups, in order to establish significant collaborations that can increase patient access throughout the continent.

At least 150 partnerships with important healthcare organizations, valued at least US $30 million, are to be facilitated by i3, which will increase patient access and generate worthwhile local employment.

Applications are open until February 28.