The Incubator Nest Hub: Health Systems Innovation Cohort (HSIC)

About the program

The Incubator Nest Hub is a premier virtual business incubator based in Nairobi, Kenya, committed to accelerating entrepreneurship across Africa. Since its founding in 2019, the Hub has become a dynamic platform for transforming bold ideas into scalable, impactful ventures—especially in the fields of women-led enterprises, healthcare, the circular economy, and technology innovation.

Mission:
To drive inclusive economic growth by equipping entrepreneurs with the tools, training, and support they need to launch and grow sustainable businesses.

What are the requirements to join as an entrepreneur?

Stage: Early-stage entrepreneurs (idea to MVP) with a clear problem-solution fit in the healthcare or health systems space.

Demographic Focus: Open primarily to youth and women based in Kenya or across Africa.

Sector Focus: Health systems innovation—including digital health, health tech, medical logistics, healthcare accessibility, and circular economy solutions in health.

Commitment: Must be available to fully participate in the virtual incubation experience.

Impact Orientation: Ventures must show potential to improve healthcare outcomes, address access gaps, or enhance system efficiency.

Innovation: Preference for ideas that leverage technology, are socially inclusive, and address real-world healthcare challenges in Africa.

Team: Individual founders or founding teams of 2–3 are welcome, but at least one person must lead participation throughout the program.

Sign up

Deadline: 2025-09-10

Days

Hours

This program is no longer accepting applications.

Organizer

Incubator Nest

Town / Region

Nairobi, Kenya

Sectors accepted for this program

Join as a mentor and help entrepreneurs in Africa achieve success!

We are looking for mentors who are committed to joining our incubation program. If you have a passion for entrepreneurship, have at least 5 years of professional experience and are committed to reviewing and monitoring your entrepreneur’s work before mentoring meetings, we want you to join us! We envision a fair, efficient and meritocratic society where innovation belongs to everyone. Sign up today and help Africa’s next generation of entrepreneurs succeed!

Program Timeline

Pre-Program Phases

8 Aug – 5 Sep 2025 → Scouting Phase (Ms&Es)
8 Aug – 5 Sep 2025 → Application Phase (Ms&Es)
8 Aug – 10 Sep 2025 → Shortlisting

Onboarding & Matching

10 Sep 2025 → Onboarding Entrepreneurs (Zoom, 1h 30m)
11 Sep 2025 → Onboarding Mentors (Zoom, 1h 30m)
11 Sep – 30 Sep 2025 → Matching Phase (B4B Incubation Platform, Ms&Es)
1 Oct – 8 Oct 2025 → Matching Phase Analysis (Platform)
8 Oct 2025 → Kick Off Call (Zoom, Entrepreneurs + Mentors)

Core Modules

8 Oct – 28 Oct 2025 → Module 1: Value Proposition
29 Oct – 11 Nov 2025 → Module 2: Competitor Map
12 Nov – 25 Nov 2025 → Module 3: Stakeholder Map
26 Nov – 9 Dec 2025 → Module 4: Business Model & Marketing
10 Dec 2025 – 6 Jan 2026 → Module 5: Pricing & Business Viability
22 Dec 2025 – 2 Jan 2026 → Holidays (pause)
7 Jan – 27 Jan 2026 → Module 6: Financial Projections
28 Jan – 10 Feb 2026 → Module 7: Impact Plan
11 Feb – 24 Feb 2026 → Module 8: Growth Plan

Closing Phase

8 Oct – 28 Oct 2025 → Module 1: Value Proposition
29 Oct – 11 Nov 2025 → Module 2: Competitor Map
12 Nov – 25 Nov 2025 → Module 3: Stakeholder Map
26 Nov – 9 Dec 2025 → Module 4: Business Model & Marketing
10 Dec 2025 – 6 Jan 2026 → Module 5: Pricing & Business Viability
22 Dec 2025 – 2 Jan 2026 → Holidays (pause)
7 Jan – 27 Jan 2026 → Module 6: Financial Projections
28 Jan – 10 Feb 2026 → Module 7: Impact Plan
11 Feb – 24 Feb 2026 → Module 8: Growth Plan

Program Timeline

Apply to participate in the program

Until September 15, 2025

Tell us more about yourself and your project by submitting your application. Our team will evaluate all applications from entrepreneurs and mentors who apply to the program.

Confirmation of selected profiles

Until 17 October 2025

We will review the completed applications through a selection process and select the participants for this edition of the programme.

Participate in the welcome session

18 and 19 January 2024

You will be invited to participate in an information session to welcome you to the incubation programme. In this session we will cover the programme schedule, your role, the role of mentors, the use of incubation tools to help you work on your business and much more.

Matching

Training of work pairs for entrepreneurs/mentors - 19 January - 31 January

Take part in our matching process! You will have the possibility to meet with the volunteer mentors from our Community that you think will be the best match for you and your project. Once you have met several mentors, both you and they will send us their preferences to let us know who they want to work with and we will make the best teams.

Start the incubation program

February - June 2024

Start the hybrid incubation experience with mentoring sessions, working tools and structured development. You will have 5 months to complete the incubation cycle and develop your validated business plan.

You will work weekly with your personal mentor in one-on-one sessions to go through the 8 business modules.
You will have the incubation team on hand at all times to answer any questions you may have.
You will finish the programme developing a business plan and executive summary ready to present to potential investors.

Completion of incubation program

June 2024

Do you have any questions about the program?

Contact Nancy Anyango Obur, Incubation Manager of the program to answer all your questions.

This program is part of

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