Changemakers Africa by Swiss Re Foundation:
Get mentored to scale up!
Are you an entrepreneur in Africa with an innovative solution in healthcare or the environment?
The Swiss Re Foundation, in partnership with Bridge for Billions, invites you to join Changemakers Africa — a 5-month hands-on incubation program designed to help you refine your business model, receive expert mentorship, and connect with a global network of changemakers.
Take your venture to the next level and contribute to make the world more resilient. Apply now to be part of the change!
Free program
Apply before:
Applications open until May 28th
Online
Africa
5 months
Based on the African Continent
*Speaks English
Health and Climate Solutions
Created by
A program designed to unleash the potential of your business!
Dynamic Community
Build friendships and a professional network of entrepreneurs, mentors and Swiss Re experts. Here, you'll learn, share, and grow together.
Mentorship
Receive personalized mentorship from a team of Swiss Re professionals that will offer feedback and guidance during the programme. Their expertise will be great to validate ideas, structure processes and keep your progress accountable.
Seed Funding
Refine your pitching skills and prepare for our end-of-programme Demo Day. Present in front of your teammates and Swiss Re experts to win one of our 3 prizes: 1st place = $15.000; 2nd place = $10.000; 3rd place = $5.000
Expand Your Network
Connect and collaborate with like-minded social entrepreneurs', as well as our global network of professionals. We promise these valuable connections will extend beyond the programme, serving as support for your growth.
About Swiss Re Foundation
The Swiss Re Foundation reflects the social and humanitarian values of Swiss Re. With our external partners and Swiss Re employees, we strengthen resilience in low-income communities and near Swiss Re locations around the world. The Foundation supports entrepreneurial solutions, system efficiencies and local charities by offering tailored financing, access to Swiss Re expertise, creating actionable evidence and amplifying impact with aligned partners. We foster scalable solutions that build low-income people’s resilience to climate and health risks.
More details: Swiss Re Foundation | Swiss Re
What will you learn during the incubation program?
Discover how to make your business unique, and how to attract more customers.
Learn how to calculate your costs and price points, to drive your profits and growth.
Master the best way to communicate and promote your business.
Aquire skills to calculate your business finances for the next 3 years, so you can can make more informed decisions.
Uncover how your business can positively impact your community, and attract collaborators and investors.
Strategize to to expand your business, scale your operations and attract new customers.
You can shape the future of your startup, and we’re here to support you!
We’re ready to share this growth journey with you. Together, we’ll strategize, plan, and drive positive change in your business and your community.
Changemakers Africa is designed for early-stage entrepreneurs in Africa tackling challenges in healthcare and climate resilience.
Take a look at the criteria below to see if you are a fit:
- You have a socially innovative business in health or climate in its early stages (eg. launched within the last 2 years, or Minimum Viable Product).
- You are seeking a program to incubate and validate your business plan. You want guidance on developing your business model, marketing, fundraising, or impact measurement.
- You're based in an African country and can dedicate to working in a program fully in English.
- You’re passionate about making a positive impact and are open to dedicating 6–8 hours per week for 5 months.
- You have a reliable internet connection and access to a computer/laptop that you can use regularly.
How do I know if my project is really a fit?
If your business or initiative aligns with one or more of our key themes, you could be a great fit for our program.
Climate Solutions
The business contributes to sustainability, conservation, or climate resilience.
Demonstrates use of nature-based solutions or circular economy principles.
Helps communities adapt to climate change (e.g., flood-resistant infrastructure, net-zero transformation).
Supports biodiversity or healthy ecosystems (e.g., urban gardening, soil regeneration, climate-smart agriculture).
Incorporates renewable energy or promotes waste reduction.
Access to Health
Enhances healthcare accessibility (e.g., brick-and-click models improving telemedicine, public health efficiencies).
Addresses preventable lifestyle diseases (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease, malnutrition, obesity).
Provides climate-resilient health solutions (e.g., mitigating health impacts of heatwaves or pollution).
Supports nutritional security (e.g., food banks, zero hunger initiatives, access to quality nutrition).
Encourages healthy habits and preventative health measures.
Our goal is to support projects that drive meaningful, lasting change. Whether you’re improving health outcomes or advancing climate action, your project can make a significant, sustainable impact.
Bridge for Billions is transforming the entrepreneurial landscape by providing accessible, high-impact incubation programs. Our mission is to empower innovators from all backgrounds to create lasting solutions that drive positive change. Through mentorship, resources, and a global network, we focus on nurturing innovation, promoting inclusion, and ensuring sustainable impact. Take a look at some of the remarkable results we’ve achieved:
of businesses that join our program are still existent one year after program completion
How to apply to the program?
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Create your profile
1
Start by clicking on the “Apply now!” button.
Fill in your personal information to set up an account on our platform.
Remember your email and password for future access.
📝
2
Complete all sections
Complete all sections of the application, thoroughly filling out each answer.
Once completed, all the checkmarks at the top will turn blue, indicating that you’re ready to submit.
Note: An asterisk “*” next to the question indicates that the field is required.
Hint: An asterisk “*” next to the question indicates that the field is required.
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Submit your application and await further news
3
We recommend that you review your application in detail one last time. If you’re good to go, click “Submit” in the lower right corner.
Make sure to submit your application by 28th May, 2025.
Our team will be in touch with a notification about the status of your application.
Apply before:
Submit your application before May 28th 2025
Important dates
Questions about the programme?
The more time you are able to dedicate, the better the results. We have structured the program so that you can complete all the activities in 6-8 hours a week, including a one-hour video call with your mentor and participation in the workshops, this is your program. Also, remember that you will have to commit to dedicating at least 6 hours a week for the duration of the program (4 months) and that there will also be face-to-face sessions that you will have to attend (we will take into account the working hours to put it on for you). as easy as possible).
Nothing! This is a free program funded by the client.
We advise you to have a laptop or desktop computer and preferably one of these browsers: Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox. Even so, our platform also adapts to mobile phones.
Also, we hope that you have a stable and reliable internet connection both for your weekly review on the platform and to participate in calls with your entrepreneur by video call.
Of course! Our program is made to collaborate with your entire team. You can easily invite your teammates to join your project and seamlessly collaborate on its development. You can work at the same time as a teammate, but please note, however, that our platform does not allow live collaboration like with Google Docs (you will only see a teammate’s edits after refreshing the page and you must have Be careful not to “override” the entries of others).
We hope our reputation speaks for itself on this topic! We treat your application and program data as confidential information. They are protected by our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, and your mentor will also sign a Mentoring Agreement that includes a confidentiality clause.
Your mentor will act as your guide throughout the program. Week after week, it will help you validate your strategy and design your growth plan. Mentors support you within the platform and meet with you once a week (usually via video calls) to validate your progress.
Can’t find your question here?
Contact Arielle, Incubation Manager of the program if you have any questions.
This program has been built by
