Changemakers wanted: Swiss Re dangles $30,000 for Africa’s green & healthcare innovators
Application for Changemakers Africa 2025 is ongoing. Early-stage startups building solutions in healthcare or climate resilience across Africa now have a chance to grow faster, smarter, and bigger with the Swiss Re Foundation Changemakers Africa 2025 programme.
The Swiss Re Foundation, in partnership with Bridge for Billions, has developed the Changemakers Africa 2025 incubator, a five-month online programme designed to help startups refine their business ideas, obtain funding, receive expert mentorship, and connect with a global network of changemakers.
Bridge for Billions is changing the face of entrepreneurship by offering high-impact, easily accessible incubation programmes. The organisation prioritises nurturing innovation, promoting inclusion, and ensuring sustainable impact through mentorship, resources, and a global network.
With this platform, 89% of participants gained new business skills and supported 6,000 entrepreneurs, and 73% of businesses still remain active a year after programme completion. For 10 years, Bridge for Billions has been assisting international organisations in making an impact and creating a brighter future.
A past participant, Jyothsna Karingula, shared: “I’m deeply grateful to the Beyond Boundaries staff and Programme for their amazing support. I received insightful instruction and direction from the CSR programme that improved my capacity for entrepreneurship. The course was difficult, but their support made all the difference. I truly enjoyed the programme and I look forward to working with NGOs in the future.’’
The Swiss Re Foundation`s humanitarian and social ideals are reflected in its values. The foundation provides customised funding, access to Swiss Re expertise, actionable evidence, and the opportunity to increase impacts with partners who share its values. It promotes the efficiency of local charities and supports entrepreneurial solutions. The foundation also backs scalable initiatives that strengthen low-income individuals’ health and climate resilience.
Programme benefits
Participants in Changemakers Africa 2025 will receive:
- Mentorship: guidance from Swiss Re experts on how to organise procedures, verify concepts and guarantee accountability throughout the programme
- Dynamic community: opportunities to establish networks and connections with experts, mentors, and other business owners, fostering collaboration
- Structured curriculum: a detailed plan for creating and evaluating effect-measuring methods, marketing plans, fundraising tactics, and business models
- Seed funding: upon completion of the programme, participants will compete for seed financing prizes of $15,000 for first place, $10,000 for second place, and $5,000 for third place by pitching their ideas on a Demo day
ALSO READ: Can $30,000 turn your climate idea into action? Apply for Youth4Climate Call for Solutions 2025
Who can apply
To be eligible for the Changemakers Africa 2025 programme, applicants must:
- Be based in any African country
- Run an early-stage business that tackles issues in healthcare or climate resilience, ideally one that was started within the last two years
- Develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or be in the process of developing one
- Be fluent in the language since the entire program is conducted in English
How to apply
Interested participants can apply through the official programme page: Bridge for Billions on or before Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
Do you have an innovative business (small, mid-scale business or startup) that adds value, creates opportunities or solves bold problems? Then you`ve got a story worth telling? Shoot us an email with SUBJECT “Story Worth Telling (+Name of Business)” to [email protected]
