Key Takeaways
- • Future Health, a global initiative of Abu Dhabi's Department of Health, and Bridge for Billions will launch a program to strengthen promising health-sector companies in emerging markets and expand locally developed solutions.
- • The first stage targets about 50 entrepreneurs from Africa and Asia whose projects are in advanced incubation or early acceleration phases.
- • The program offers structured training, access to specialized knowledge, networking, financing access and links to health systems, with selected participants later gaining access to Abu Dhabi's health innovation ecosystem.
- • Citing the WIPO Global Innovation Index 2024, the release says Latin America and Africa together accounted for about 3% of global venture capital deals in the first half of 2024, while venture investment value fell 19% in Asia-Pacific and 80% in Africa in the same period.
- • Application requirements, enrollment details and further program information will be announced later.
Summary
Future Health, a global initiative of Abu Dhabi, and Bridge for Billions plan to launch a program aimed at strengthening promising health-sector businesses in emerging markets and broadening the reach of locally developed solutions, according to a Business Wire release. The companies say emerging markets face substantial health needs and offer significant potential for new businesses, yet many promising initiatives struggle to access financing, specialized advisory services and connections with health systems needed to grow.
The release cites the 2024 Global Innovation Index of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), which found that Latin America and Africa together accounted for roughly 3% of global venture capital deals in the first half of 2024. In the same period, the value of venture capital investment fell 19% in Asia-Pacific and 80% in Africa. It also cites the World Bank Group's estimate that each health-sector job in low-income countries is associated with about 3.4 additional jobs in related sectors.
The initial phase will select about 50 entrepreneurs from Africa and Asia who have moved past the early idea stage but can still benefit from structured support. Projects will be assessed on quality, maturity, growth potential, market needs and relevance to health priorities. Participants will then enter a virtual program covering regulation, integration into health systems, business model validation and preparation for fundraising. A smaller group will subsequently join an acceleration stage in Abu Dhabi, where they may engage with regulators, health providers, research institutions and emirate-based investors.
Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Health, said entrepreneurs who understand their communities can develop solutions grounded in real health needs. Pablo Santaeufemia, chief executive of Bridge for Billions, said the organization works through its Conecta Healthcare platform with support organizations to strengthen health entrepreneurship at scale, particularly in the Global South. Future Health is organized by the Abu Dhabi Department of Health together with founding partners PureHealth, M42, Institute for Healthier Living Abu Dhabi and Mubadala Bio. Registration details and eligibility requirements have not yet been published.
The release cites the 2024 Global Innovation Index of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), which found that Latin America and Africa together accounted for roughly 3% of global venture capital deals in the first half of 2024. In the same period, the value of venture capital investment fell 19% in Asia-Pacific and 80% in Africa. It also cites the World Bank Group's estimate that each health-sector job in low-income countries is associated with about 3.4 additional jobs in related sectors.
The initial phase will select about 50 entrepreneurs from Africa and Asia who have moved past the early idea stage but can still benefit from structured support. Projects will be assessed on quality, maturity, growth potential, market needs and relevance to health priorities. Participants will then enter a virtual program covering regulation, integration into health systems, business model validation and preparation for fundraising. A smaller group will subsequently join an acceleration stage in Abu Dhabi, where they may engage with regulators, health providers, research institutions and emirate-based investors.
Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Health, said entrepreneurs who understand their communities can develop solutions grounded in real health needs. Pablo Santaeufemia, chief executive of Bridge for Billions, said the organization works through its Conecta Healthcare platform with support organizations to strengthen health entrepreneurship at scale, particularly in the Global South. Future Health is organized by the Abu Dhabi Department of Health together with founding partners PureHealth, M42, Institute for Healthier Living Abu Dhabi and Mubadala Bio. Registration details and eligibility requirements have not yet been published.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.