Accelerating solutions to Africa's health challenges
Africa Oxford Health Innovation Programme
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.
|
Pitching Workshop |
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
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.
Fireside innovation chat
In this fireside chat, Watu Wamae and Meredith Ettridge discuss innovation in Africa and the Africa Health Innovation Platform call for 2022.
Meet Our Innovation Fellows
Our AfOx Innovation Fellows are pioneering science-based ventures that address some of Africa’s most pressing health challenges. Through the AfOx-HIP Programme, they gain the skills, mentorship, and networks needed to turn bold ideas into impactful businesses.
To learn more about our Innovation Fellows and their ventures click here.
Apply
Find out if you are eligible and how you can apply for the African Oxford Health Innovation Programme here.