Entrepreneurs for Resilience 2027

About the programme The Swiss Re Foundation's tenth Entrepreneurs for Resilience programme will support healthcare social enterprises that are expanding access to affordable, quality primary healthcare for underserved communities in low- and middle-income countries. The programme is looking for proven brick-and-click models that combine physical points of care with a digital enabling layer. Relevant approaches may include clinics, community health services, pharmacies, diagnostics or health workers supported by telemedicine, digital patient systems, remote diagnostics, e-pharmacy, data tools or other digital services. The organisers are particularly interested in models that improve affordability and integrate with public health systems. Funding and support Six to eight shortlisted enterprises may receive up to US$45,000 in pilot funding during due diligence, alongside three days of tailored technical assistance in impact measurement and management. Three to four finalists will share up to US$1 million in blended funding over a two-year implementation period. This comprises up to US$600,000 in unconditional funding allocated after due diligence and final presentations, followed by up to US$400,000 in conditional funding linked to agreed milestones. Finalists may receive up to 20 days of tailored technical assistance over two years, covering impact measurement, financial management and fundraising, scaling, last-mile marketing and sales, and gender inclusion. Participants also gain access to corporate expertise, healthcare and impact-investment networks, peer learning and greater visibility. A programme gathering is planned for Zurich in November 2027, subject to confirmation. Eligibility Applicants must be formally registered for-profit enterprises or operate through a formally established hybrid structure. They must have been established by December 2023, earn at least 50% of their income through revenue, already serve at least 50,000 people and demonstrate a market-based path to scale. At least 30% of the customer base must consist of low-income or underserved people. Applicants must operate in countries classified by the World Bank as low- and middle-income, combine physical and digital healthcare delivery, demonstrate measurable social impact and comply with the laws of the countries where they operate. They must also be legally able to receive funding from a Swiss non-governmental organisation. The programme prefers gender-inclusive enterprises, including those with at least one female founder or at least 30% women in the management team. Selection process Applications are screened for eligibility, impact, traction and strategic fit. Up to 25 enterprises will be invited to submit a more detailed second-round application by 8 November 2026. Six to eight will then enter due diligence between November 2026 and March 2027, including an on-site visit of up to four days. Shortlisted teams will prepare for virtual jury presentations in May 2027, after which three to four finalists will be selected. Funding is governed by separate agreements. Pilot recipients enter a one-year agreement covering objectives and reporting. Finalists enter a two-year agreement with milestones, deliverables and impact-measurement requirements. Deadline Use 4 October 2026 at 23:59 CEST (21:59 UTC) as the safer deadline. The official application portal states CEST, while the programme page and call booklet state CET. Applicants should follow the earlier CEST interpretation and submit in English before that time. How to apply Read the official programme page and call booklet, then submit the first-round application through the Swiss Re Foundation application portal. All application questions are mandatory; where a question does not apply, applicants should enter “NA” and briefly explain why.

Applicants must be formally registered for-profit healthcare social enterprises or formally established hybrid organisations created no later than December 2023. They must: • improve healthcare access in a World Bank-classified low- or middle-income country; • combine physical and digital healthcare delivery; • have low-income or underserved people representing at least 30% of customers; • generate at least 50% of income through earned revenue; • already serve at least 50,000 people; • demonstrate measurable social impact and potential to scale; • have a strong management team and structured workforce; • comply with applicable laws and be eligible to receive funding from a Swiss NGO. The call is not aimed at non-profit-only organisations without a formal hybrid commercial structure, digital-only products without a physical care component, or enterprises that do not yet meet the establishment, revenue, reach and target-customer thresholds.