Africa Oxford Health Innovation Programme (AfOx HIP)
A multi-disciplinary programme to support outstanding African innovators as they build high growth start-ups with real impact to address health inequality in Africa, improving livelihoods and safeguarding our future. By connecting innovators to the vibrant innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem at the University of Oxford, AfOx HIP provides access to world-class expertise, tools, and mentorship – helping bold ideas become scalable solutions with lasting impact.
Applications for the AfOx Health Innovation and Entrepreneurship Scheme 2025 are now closed.
What is on offer?
AfOx-HIP works with African innovators to equip participants with skills, networks, and confidence to successfully navigate their entrepreneurial journey.
Successful applicants are first enrolled in the Phase 1 Virtual Programme – an online training course in innovation and entrepreneurship. After completing Phase 1, selected innovators are invited to Phase 2, where they are awarded an AfOx Innovation Fellowship that includes personalised technical support from Oxford collaborators, advanced training, and a week-long boot camp in Oxford.
Phase 1: Virtual Programme in innovation and entrepreneurship
Each cohort welcomes up to 50 innovators who take part in a robust and practical course on Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Health for Africa. The training covers topics such as negotiation roleplay and simulation, entrepreneurial finance and literacy, science entrepreneurship, pitching, business strategy, fundraising and exit options, and product development.
Delivered over 16 weeks, the programme blends self-paced learning with live, interactive workshops and small-group discussions. Participants dedicate around 8-10 hours per week, with a structure designed for accessibility and flexibility to support busy innovator-entrepreneurs across the continent.
Virtual workrooms enable small-group collaboration and peer learning, fostering a connected community of African innovators advancing health impact together. Throughout the programme, participants receive personalised mentorship and tailored support to their ventures.
Phase 2: Oxford-based fellowships for personalised technical support
After completing the virtual programme, selected innovators whose projects demonstrate strong potential for venture development and health impact are awarded AfOx Innovation Fellowships. Fellows receive personalised technical support from Oxford collaborators across all University Divisions expressing interest in collaborating with our innovation fellows.
During Phase 2, Fellows are invited to a week-long boot camp in Oxford, featuring hands-on workshops and opportunities to engage with peers and mentors. The boot camp covers essential topics for deep science start-ups including intellectual property rights and regulatory considerations, financial projections, fundraising strategies, negotiating deals, building the team and how to run an effective board. The boot camp offers an opportunity to stress test the ventures and integrate critical technical and business strategy feedback.
