Building the Next Cohort of Africa's Digital Health Innovators

Dear Innovator,

Congratulations! If you are receiving this, it means you have been nominated by your Hub to be among the startups considered for the ADHN Startups Watchlist 2026.

This initiative aims to spotlight the most promising and impactful digital health startups across the continent that are advancing healthcare access, efficiency, and equity in Africa.

Selected startups will benefit from:

  1. Visibility & Recognition: Featured on the ADHN Startups Watchlist 2026, launched during a high-profile plenary, with branded certificates, media-ready founder portraits, and continuous visibility through the event app, website, Innovation Spotlight Wall, and media partnerships. 
  2. Market Linkages: Direct engagement with policymakers, private sector partners, and investors across Africa and globally.
  3. Support & Growth: Subsidized exhibition opportunities at the upcoming Africa Health Tech Summit (AHTS 2026) in Rwanda, priority access to investor and ecosystem matchmaking, and tailored post-event introductions.

Timeline

  • Deadline for application submission: September 15, 2025
  • Feedback from the selection committee: September 20, 2026

We invite you to complete the application form below, providing accurate and verifiable information. This will allow the selection committee pragmatically assess your nomination.

We wish you the best of luck!

Submit your Application
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Why 20 Startups to Watch?

Being selected as one of startups is an opportunity to put your innovation in front of investors, policymakers, healthcare leaders and partners shaping the future of digital health in Africa.

Visibility & Recognition

  • Featured on the ADHN 20 Startups to Watch 2026 list
  • Featured in the ADHN Innovator Lookbook
  • Launch at AHTS 2026
  • Branded certificates and digital badges
  • Founder portraits and media-ready materials

Market Linkages & Investor Access

  • Public sector engagement and policy linkages
  • Guaranteed Deal Room access
  • Pre-booked investor meetings
  • Investor introductions across Africa and globally
  • Opportunities to explore growth capital

Showcase & Growth Opportunities

  • Startup Pavilion at AHTS 2026
  • Standardised exhibitor kit
  • Event website visibility
  • Innovation Spotlight Wall
  • Post-event follow-up and tailored introductions

What We’re Seeking?

Being selected as one of startups is an opportunity to put your innovation in front of investors, policymakers, healthcare leaders and partners shaping the future of digital health in Africa.
  • Home-based Care & Remote Patient Support
  • Chronic Disease & Patient Management
  • AI-powered Healthcare & Diagnostics
  • Healthcare Supply Chain & logistics
  • Maternal, Neonatal, Child & Adolescent Health
  • Non-Communicable Diseases & Mental Health
  • Communicable Diseases
  • Immunisation & Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
  • Preventive & Promotive health
  • Environmental, Occupational, & One Health
  • Health Systems Strengthening & Data Governance
  • Health Financing, Insurance Innovation, & Public-Private Partnerships

Review and Selection Criteria

Applicants must be Africa-based startups at minimum prototype phase, nominated through recognised hubs, accelerators, or ecosystem partners, and will be categorised into two tracks:

Early-Stage Startup

Funding: Pre-seed / Seed
Funding raised: ≤ USD 1.5M
Revenue: ≤ USD 250K ARR, if any
Evidence: Early customer validation/pilots and initial clinical/regulatory plan where applicable

Focus: Validate product-market fit, secure catalytic capital, pilots and first partnerships.

Scale-Up Startup

Funding: Post-seed / Series A+
Funding raised: > USD 1.5M cumulative
Revenue: > USD 250K ARR or clear year-on-year growth with paying customers
Evidence: Documented commercial traction and progress on regulatory/quality requirements.

Focus: Market expansion, channel partnerships, growth capital and multi-country scale.

Application Form

Submission Deadline: 15th September 2026: Please note that this form is no longer receiving applications.

2025 Highlights

Watch the brief of the 2025 of the ADHN Startup Watchlist of 2025

FAQs

Africa-based startups at minimum prototype stage working in one or more of ADHN's priority digital health areas.

20 startups: 10 early-stage ventures and 10 scale-ups.

The tracks are differentiated primarily by funding stage, funding raised, revenue and demonstrated commercial traction.

Not necessarily. Early-stage startups may demonstrate customer validation or pilots. Scale-ups are expected to demonstrate stronger commercial traction.

Yes. The 2026 programme is designed to provide Deal Room access to all 20 selected startups.

Selected startups will be showcased at AHTS 2026 in Kigali through the Startup Pavilion, Deal Room and General Assembly video showcase.

Application Deadline is 10th September 2026