The initiative will support around 50 healthcare entrepreneurs across Africa and Asia, with selected founders gaining access to Abu Dhabi’s healthcare innovation ecosystem.
Future of Health, a global initiative from Abu Dhabi, and Bridge for Billions have launched a programme to support healthcare entrepreneurs in emerging markets, helping locally developed solutions reach more people and expand into new markets.
The first phase will select around 50 entrepreneurs from Africa and Asia whose ventures have moved beyond the idea stage but remain early enough to benefit from structured support. Applications will be assessed based on quality, maturity, scalability, market needs and alignment with healthcare priorities.
Selected entrepreneurs will participate in an online programme covering regulatory requirements, integration into healthcare systems, business model development and investor readiness.
Following the online programme, a group of participants will be selected for a specialised acceleration phase in Abu Dhabi. They will have opportunities to engage with regulators, healthcare providers, research institutions and investors, while building relationships within the emirate’s healthcare innovation ecosystem.
The programme aims to establish long-term connections between entrepreneurs in emerging markets and Abu Dhabi, supporting collaboration, knowledge exchange and opportunities to scale healthcare solutions internationally.
Dr Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, said the initiative aims to help promising entrepreneurs expand the impact of their ventures by connecting them with relevant expertise, networks and investment opportunities.
Pablo Santaeufemia, CEO of Bridge for Billions, highlighted the importance of supporting entrepreneurs and the organisations that help them develop solutions tailored to local healthcare needs. The initiative also builds on Bridge for Billions’ Conecta Healthcare programme.
Applications have not yet opened. The organisers said eligibility criteria and further programme details will be announced at a later stage.
Source: Arqam News
