What HCDExchange does

HCDExchange is a nonprofit technical hub, operated under JSI (John Snow, Inc.) since January 2024 as part of JSI's Behavior Initiative, that advances locally-led human-centered design (HCD) for public health in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The organization emerged from a 2018 convening in Tanzania funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and Children's Investment Fund Foundation, and was formally established in 2020. It serves three primary constituencies: young and emerging HCD+Public Health designers seeking workforce development, public health implementers (NGOs, government programs, international development organizations) seeking technical assistance to integrate HCD into their programs, and funders/donors seeking evidence on HCD effectiveness.

The organization operates a unified platform built around three pillars: a Knowledge Hub (containing a 306+ item Resource Library, the X-Change community forum with 904+ members, co-designed Learning Products, and an events calendar), a Career Portal (Jobs Board, Talent Gallery with 56+ professionals, HCD Courses & Guides), and Technical Assistance Services covering HCD capacity building, HCD research, and learning/documentation. An open-source Data and Insights Platform for AYSRH-focused organizations is in development with BMGF funding. The technology stack is conventional (WordPress-based web platform, Google Analytics, CookieYes consent management) with no proprietary AI/ML components disclosed.

HCDExchange's business model is grant-funded and freemium. Community membership, the Resource Library, X-Change forum, learning content, and the Career Portal are free. The only direct-revenue channel is Technical Assistance Services, delivered on a consultancy basis to partner organizations such as YIELD Hub (supporting 30 organizations in an Action Learning Cycle since 2023), the HAPPI Activity (a 3-year Gates Foundation-funded HPV vaccination acceleration project in Indonesia and Nigeria), and USAID Advancing Nutrition. Headcount is approximately 11 team members distributed across Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana, Senegal, India, and the USA, with the primary physical office in Nairobi.

Name

HCDExchange

Legal name

HCDExchange

Website

https://hcdexchange.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

HCDExchange is JSI's technical hub advancing locally-led human-centered design for public health in Africa and Asia, operating a free community platform, career portal, and paid technical assistance services for NGOs, health implementers, and HCD practitioners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Nairobi

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: HCDExchange operates as a nonprofit organization funded primarily through grants from foundations. The organization emerged from a 2018 convening funded by the Gates Foundation, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and Children's Investment Fund Foundation. Current sponsors include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Hewlett Foundation. As of January 2024, HCDExchange became part of JSI's Behavior Initiative.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

HCDExchange is JSI's technical hub for human-centered design (HCD) in public health, operating a Knowledge Hub platform that combines a curated Resource Library, an interactive X-Change community forum, co-designed learning products, and a Career Portal for workforce development. The organization provides Technical Assistance services including capacity building in HCD, HCD research, and learning and documentation support to public health organizations seeking to integrate human-centered design into their programs. All services are anchored in advancing locally-led HCD+Public Health in Africa and Asia, with a focus on adolescent and youth sexual reproductive health (AYSRH).

Product overview

HCDExchange operates as a unified platform combining a Knowledge Hub, Career Portal, and Technical Assistance Services to advance locally-led Human-Centered Design (HCD) for public health in Africa and Asia. The Knowledge Hub serves as the core platform with Resource Library, The X-Change forum, Learning Products (including Learning Areas, Webinars, Circles, and Reflection Sessions), Events, and Glossary. The Career Portal provides job board, opportunities listings, talent gallery, and HCD courses/guides for workforce development. Technical Assistance Services offer Capacity in HCD, HCD Research, and Learning & Documentation support. Additional offerings include E-Bulletins and Blogs/Thought Leadership content. The organization positions itself as a convener and connector of a global community of practitioners working at the intersection of HCD and public health.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Knowledge Hub A collaborative platform for HCD+Public Health practitioners that fosters connections and knowledge-sharing, including resource library, X-Change forum, learning products, events, and glossary.
• Resource Library A repository where users can submit, save, and download resources on HCD+Public Health, containing over 306 resources including case studies, evidence briefs, technical briefs, research articles, and guides.
• The X-Change An open interactive forum for HCD+Public Health practitioners to share ideas, tools, resources, ask questions, and connect with each other, featuring a news feed, member directory, and events section.
• Learning Products Co-designed and curated learning resources including Learning Areas, Learning and Reflection Sessions, Learning Webinars, and Learning Circles to equip practitioners with HCD knowledge, tools, and best practices.
• Career Portal A dedicated space to enhance development of local HCD talent in public health across Africa and Asia, featuring Jobs Board, Opportunities listings, Talent Gallery, and HCD Courses & Guides.
• Technical Assistance Services Technical assistance for teams interested in integrating HCD into public health programs, including Capacity in HCD, HCD Research, and Learning and Documentation services.

Quantifiable outcome

• 904+ practitioners connected through the X-Change community platform
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• JSI (John Snow, Inc.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHCDExchange is part of JSI's Behavior Initiative, a group of 90+ experts in 18 countries advancing social and behavior change work. This integration provides institutional backing and extensive global health networks.
• A360 (Adolescents 360)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator organization working at the intersection of HCD and adolescent sexual reproductive health. Notable initiatives include Kuwa Mjanja in Tanzania, Smart Start in Ethiopia, and 9ja Girls in Nigeria.
• YUXminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign agency collaborator providing expertise in human-centered design. YUX Cards and design process tools are featured in HCDExchange's HCD Courses & Guides.
• ThinkPlaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal design studio collaborator working with HCDExchange on HCD+Public Health initiatives.
• TinkerlabsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation/design collaborator supporting HCDExchange initiatives.
• Yield HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngaged HCDExchange for the third time since 2023 to support 30 organizations participating in their Action Learning Cycle. HCDExchange embeds HCD approaches to support organizations in using HCD tools and frameworks.
• PATHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational health organization collaborator working on public health initiatives.
• PSI (Population Services International)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal health organization collaborator, particularly noted for pioneering HCD+ASRH projects including Diva Centres in Zambia and Future Fab in Kenya.
• YIELD HubcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThe Youth Investment, Engagement, Leadership and Development Hub engaged HCDExchange since 2023 to support 30 organizations in their Action Learning Cycle. Purpose is to embed HCD approaches supporting organizations in effectively using HCD tools and frameworks for achieving Action Learning goals.
• HAPPI Activity (HPV Vaccine Acceleration Program Partners Initiative)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner3-year Gates Foundation funded project to accelerate HPV vaccination in LMICs. HCDExchange supports through HCD research to capture participants' experiences in Indonesia and Nigeria, engaging in collaborative understanding, ideation, creating, testing, and implementing solutions.
• USAID Advancing NutritioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerJSI's USAID Advancing Nutrition project engaged HCDExchange for end of project documentation (August-November 2023), supporting documentation and dissemination of learnings from Zimbabwe and Malawi on HCD and Living-Labs approaches.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• inSupply Health: inSupply Health is a Nairobi-based health supply chain organization that hosts HCDExchange's physical office. Comparable as an emerging player applying human-centered design to public health systems in East Africa.
• Busara Center for Behavioral Economics: Busara applies behavioral science and human-centered approaches to development challenges in LMICs. Comparable because it serves similar LMIC-focused organizations with research and program design services that overlap HCDExchange's technical assistance work.

Direct peers

• IDEO.org: IDEO.org is a pioneer in applying human-centered design to social impact, including health and development. Comparable because both organizations focus on HCD methodology for public health and global development outcomes.
• YUX: YUX is a design agency specializing in human-centered design for products and services in emerging markets. Comparable because YUX is a named HCDExchange collaborator and serves overlapping HCD+Health clients with similar methods.
• Tinkerlabs: Tinkerlabs is an innovation and design firm applying HCD approaches to social impact and global development challenges. Comparable because Tinkerlabs is a listed HCDExchange partner with overlapping methodology and customer base.
• ThinkPlace: ThinkPlace is a global design studio applying human-centered design to complex challenges in international development, government, and health. Comparable because it is an HCD-focused partner collaborator working across HCD+Public Health initiatives.

Broad incumbents

• PATH: PATH is a large global health innovation organization working across vaccines, devices, and system design in LMICs. Comparable because PATH is an HCDExchange collaborator and shares the public health focus, though it operates at much broader scope.
• Dalberg: Dalberg is a global consulting firm advising foundations, governments, and NGOs on international development and global health strategy. Comparable because Dalberg applies design thinking to development challenges that overlap with HCDExchange's mission.
• PSI (Population Services International): PSI is a global health organization with deep experience applying HCD to adolescent sexual and reproductive health programs, including Diva Centres and Future Fab. Comparable because PSI is a named HCDExchange partner working in the same ASRH+HCD intersection.

Others

• JSI (John Snow, Inc.): JSI is the parent organization housing HCDExchange within its Behavior Initiative. Comparable as the institutional host providing operational infrastructure, but operates as the broader umbrella rather than a direct peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HcdXchange
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCCiIjuIIGJaljJNE9Jmxcng/featured
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hcdexchange

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about HCDExchange