Next Health Accelerator

What Next Health Accelerator does

Next Health Accelerator (NHA) is a 6-month pan-African health innovation accelerator program operated by Intrepid Entrepreneurs, a US-based non-governmental organization headquartered in Dakar, Senegal. Launched in 2021, NHA recruits and accelerates African female/co-founded startups building solutions in Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and self-care at the MVP stage. The program runs cohort-based cycles, accepting 7-9 startups per cohort and supporting each with up to USD 20,000 of seed funding via SAFE equity agreements, 20+ international mentors, a 6-month curriculum covering opportunity assessment, product development, acquisition marketing, and investor readiness, and structured access to a network of value chain partners (EtriLabs, IPPF, Ouagadougou Partnership, RHSC, DKT International) willing to adopt and integrate portfolio products. Applications are received through the Babele platform, with 235 applications from 26 African countries submitted for the inaugural cohort.

NHA's business model is structured as a non-profit accelerator: revenue is grant-funded rather than commercial, with the principal economic return expected from equity stakes acquired via SAFE in portfolio companies that achieve successful exits or follow-on funding rounds. The program does not develop proprietary technology products; its core assets are the mentor network, partner ecosystem, curriculum, and brand in the African SRH vertical. The portfolio spans telemedicine (Rocket Health, Bisa, Zinacare, MaiSoin), pharmacy access (Pharmap, Afia Pharma, Alliance Pharma, LukaPharma, Ekose Rx), menstrual health (Pad-Up Creations, The Grace Cup, Valorigo, Girl's Pride, ApiAfrique, Kosmotive), SRH services and education (Verifie Health, ELLES, OPISMS, MobiKlinik, Urukundo Initiative, Reyha TV), and supporting technology (Laafi Concepts). Approximately 20 startups across 13+ African countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, DRC, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Togo, Uganda) have been supported across three cohorts (2021, 2022, 2023). NHA also co-produced the first market research paper on the Reusable Pads Industry in Africa with Noru Capital. The most prominent alumni outcome to date is Rocket Health's USD 5 million Series A led by Creadev, Grenfell Holdings, and LoftyInc Capital Management in 2022.

Name

Next Health Accelerator

Legal name

Next Health Accelerator

Website

https://nexthealthaccelerator.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Next Health Accelerator is a non-profit, 6-month pan-African accelerator operated by Intrepid Entrepreneurs that supports female or co-led startups building Sexual and Reproductive Health and self-care solutions across Africa, providing up to USD 20,000 seed funding, mentorship, and value chain partner access across three cohorts covering 13+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Accelerator

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sexual & Reproductive Health & Family Planning (SRH/FP) Programs (BPADAIAD), Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL), Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics (EDAMAHAA)

Keywords

• Health innovation accelerator
• Startup acceleration program
• Sexual reproductive health
• African health tech
• Seed funding program

Headquarters

HQ city

Omaha

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Equity investment in accelerated startups: NHA provides up to USD 20,000 of seed investment in return for equity (SAFE agreement) during the 6-month acceleration phase. The equity stake represents the primary revenue/fiscal model for the accelerator — generating returns upon exits of successful portfolio companies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Next Health Accelerator operates a 6-month pan-African acceleration program for early-stage startups innovating in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and self-care, providing up to USD 20,000 of seed funding per startup in exchange for equity (SAFE agreement), alongside mentorship from 20+ international experts and facilitated access to a network of value chain partners (EtriLabs, IPPF, Ouagadougou Partnership, DKT International, RHSC) for product adoption and regional expansion. The program accepts 10+ startups per cohort and requires a female founder or co-founder.

Product overview

Next Health Accelerator (NHA) is an accelerator program by Intrepid Entrepreneurs, not a traditional product company. The core offering is a 6-month pan-African acceleration program for startups innovating in sexual and reproductive health, providing up to $20,000 USD seed funding, 20+ experienced mentors, and access to value chain partner networks. NHA has supported approximately 20 startups across multiple cohorts since 2021. The portfolio includes diverse health tech solutions: telemedicine platforms (Rocket Health, Bisa Health, Zinacare, MaiSoin), pharmacy-focused apps (Pharmap, Afia Pharma, Alliance Pharma, LukaPharma, Ekose Rx), menstrual health products (Pad-Up Creations, The Grace Cup, Valorigo, Kosmotive, Girls' Pride, ApiAfrique), SRH service providers (Verifie Health, ELLES, OPISMS, MobiKlinik), health education platforms (Urukundo Initiative, Reyha TV), and supporting technology (Laafi Concepts). NHA also produces industry research through its Reusable Pads Industry in Africa paper. Perks available to accelerated startups include Amazon Web Services, Stripe Atlas, Happierco, and Notion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Next Health Accelerator Program A 6-month pan-African health innovation acceleration program that supports early-stage startups with an MVP innovating in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and self-care. Selected startups receive up to USD 20,000 of seed funding in exchange for equity (SAFE), mentorship from 20+ international experts, access to a value chain partner network willing to adopt and integrate their products, training/workshops for investor readiness, strategic support in technology/marketing/design, and an alumni community post-graduation. Requires a female founder or co-founder. Delivered bilingually in English and French.

Quantifiable outcome

• Rocket Health conducted over 1,100 SRH teleconsultations and completed over 2,100 SRH laboratory services in its first four months in NHA
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers21 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EtriLabscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEtriLabs is an innovation ecosystem that nurtures young entrepreneurs and promotes excellence in Africa through digital technology for development. It has expertise in ecosystem building, corporate innovation, and enterprise acceleration. Listed as a key program partner on the NHA website.
• International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA leading non-profit advocate for universal access to contraceptives, gender equality, and safe abortion. Delivers sexual and reproductive health services. Listed as a key program partner providing value chain access and SRH expertise.
• Ouagadougou PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the most successful partnerships between governments, civil society, and donors to accelerate family planning services in nine Francophone West African countries. Marie Ba, Director of the OP Coordination Unit, serves as an NHA mentor.
• Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition (RHSC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA global partnership of public, private, and non-governmental organizations dedicated to ensuring access to affordable, high-quality reproductive health supplies in low- and middle-income countries. Listed as a key program partner.
• DKT InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA non-profit organization focused on social marketing for family planning, HIV/AIDS prevention, and safe abortion. DKT partnered with NHA alumni startup Verifie Health to expand SRH access. Listed as a key program partner.
• DKT (as partner for Verifie Health)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFollowing NHA intervention, Verifie Health partnered with DKT to expand its SRH solutions portfolio and increase access to sexual and reproductive health products and services in Ghana.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AfriLabs: Pan-African network of innovation hubs across 50+ countries. Comparable in role as a continent-spanning platform supporting startup communities, with NHA operating as a thematic 'hub' (SRH) within the broader ecosystem.
• CcHUB (Co-Creation Hub): Nigeria-based innovation hub and pre-seed investor supporting African tech startups across health and other verticals. Comparable as an Africa-based ecosystem builder connecting founders to investors and corporate partners.
• iHub: Nairobi-based innovation hub and early-stage investor supporting African tech founders, with health-tech activity in its portfolio. Direct peer as an African innovation hub fostering startups and connecting them to capital and partners.
• MEST Africa (Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology): Pan-African tech accelerator and entrepreneur training program with hubs in multiple African countries. Comparable in cohort-based acceleration, African geographic spread, and startup-investor pipeline support, though broader in vertical focus than NHA.
• Founders Factory Africa: Pan-African venture builder and accelerator backing early-stage tech startups, including in health. Direct peer in operating model (cohort/program-based acceleration), African focus, and partnership-driven support.
• Villgro Africa: A health-tech focused venture builder/accelerator operating across East and Southern Africa, supporting early-stage startups in healthcare, including SRH-adjacent themes. Closest direct peer in mission, geography, and stage of investment.
• Impact Hub: Global network of impact-focused innovation hubs with multiple African locations. Comparable in supporting early-stage impact entrepreneurs through community, programming, and partner access, including in health-related ventures.
• Startupbootcamp AfriTech: Global accelerator that ran an Africa-focused digital innovation program (including health tech themes). Comparable as a cohort-based, equity-taking accelerator operating in Africa with corporate partner support.

Others

• Noru Capital: Africa-focused venture fund co-founded by NHA co-founder Senam Beheton and partner Medea Cesar Degbe. Functions as a financial partner to NHA providing investor mapping, introductions, and co-publishing research; adjacent investor rather than accelerator competitor.
• EtriLabs: African innovation ecosystem (founded by NHA co-founder Senam Beheton) and listed NHA program partner. Adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a direct accelerator competitor, providing startup support across 9 African countries.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/nexthealthbyie
• Facebookfacebook.com/WeAreIntrepidEntrepreneurs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/intrepid-entrepreneurs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Next Health Accelerator