Lafiya Innovators - Impact Hub Dakar

The name “Lafiya” has been chosen because it means “health and wellness” in Hausa, a local dialect present in both Senegal and Ghana.

Lafiya Innovators is a startup incubation program to support and accelerate early- to mid-stage startups addressing challenges around health and determinants of health throughout emerging economies. Developed by Impact Hub Basel, and implemented in collaboration with Impact Hub Accra, Impact Hub Dakar, and the African Health Innovation Centre, the program supports ambitious entrepreneurs throughout the venture lifecycle, from determining a basic business model to completing the due diligence process necessary for fundraising.

Incubator Details

The Lafiya Innovators program is a six-month incubator taking place in two West African cities. The Starter Track will support three early-stage startups in Dakar, Senegal and the Growth Track will support three mid-stage startups in Accra, Ghana. Specialised health innovation support will be provided directly to startups in both communities.

Lafiya Innovators is financially supported by Fondation Botnar and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) Global Programme Health.

For more information about the Lafiya Innovators program, visit the full website here

Who are We Looking For?

Aiming to deliver impact at scale, the program focuses in particular on technological innovations and systemic solutions targeting underserved populations, including adolescents (and children) and women. In addition, the program seeks to strengthen the local health ecosystem and health entrepreneurship capacity by bringing together and engaging a strong community of health stakeholders, both locally and globally. Specific criteria is listed below:

Open to for-profit and non-profit startups
Startups may be focused in any area of health and wellness, including but not limited to clinical care, public health, community-based health, nutrition, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). Startups may also focus on core operational areas, such as health-focused logistics, fintech, or edtech solutions.
Solutions may be focused on both the public or private sectors and may have a business-to-business (B2B) or business-to-consumer (B2C) approach.

What Do You Gain From Participation?

Six months of direct incubation support from Impact Hubs Basel, Accra, and Dakar – locally rooted, globally connected
Six months of direct health innovation advisory and networking support from the African Health Innovation Centre
An all-expenses paid one-week trip to Switzerland for Immersion Week, including ecosystem tours and participation at the Global Health Forum in Geneva
Modest financial support for startups throughout the six-month incubation period

Lafiya Innovators: Starter Track

Have a great idea, but haven’t yet taken the next step? Have you launched, but are just starting to develop customers? The Starter Track is for you.

Lafiya’s Starter Track is located in Dakar, Senegal. During their six-month commitment in this track, entrepreneurs will grow their professional network, establish a basic business model, and develop a minimum viable product.

Selected startups will receive comprehensive training, access to special events and networking opportunities, established coworking space, and modest financial support.

Open to Senagalese residents, age 18+
One individual per startup may apply and participate (even if representing a larger team)
Ideal for ideation-stage to early-stage ventures
Must have an established, specific business idea that is your own
Must be available for participation ~25 hours per week for six months (November 2019 – May 2020)
Must be available full-time for specific weeks (dates provided in advance)
Must be available to attend a Swiss Innovation Immersion week in Switzerland for one week in March 2020 (all expenses paid by Lafiya Innovators)
Must be prepared to pitch during “Demo Day” in May 2020
Conversational- to professional-level English is required for participation in the program

Click Here to Apply for Lafiya Innovators Starter Track (Dakar, Senegal)