Future Health and Bridge for Billions to Launch Programme Strengthening Health Entrepreneurship in Emerging Markets
New programme will support locally rooted health entrepreneurs to build stronger ventures and deepen their impact in the communities they serve
The programme responds to persistent gaps in capital and specialist support for promising health innovation across emerging markets
First phase will target around 50 entrepreneurs leading late-incubation to early-acceleration ventures in Africa and Asia
Entrepreneurs will receive tailored support, with selected groups later having the opportunity to access Abu Dhabi's health innovations ecosystem
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, October 21, 2026--Future Health – A Global Initiative by Abu Dhabi and Bridge for Billions will launch a new entrepreneurship programme designed to strengthen promising health ventures in emerging markets and help locally-developed solutions reach more people.
Emerging markets are home to significant health needs and entrepreneurial potential, yet many promising ventures can struggle to access the capital, specialist guidance, and health-system connections required to grow. WIPO's Global Innovation Index 2024 reported that Latin America and Africa together accounted for around 3% of global venture-capital deals in the first half of 2024, while venture-capital values fell by 19% in Asia-Pacific and 80% in Africa.
At the same time, entrepreneurs rooted in the communities they serve can bring a close understanding of local health needs, affordability constraints, and the realities of delivering care. Strengthening these businesses has the potential to create wider benefits for their communities, according to the World Bank Group, each health-sector job in low-income countries is associated with an estimated 3.4 additional jobs across related industries.
The new programme will seek to address some of the barriers faced by entrepreneurs, combining structured capacity-building with access to expertise, networks, and health systems connections. Over time, selected entrepreneurs will also have opportunities to engage with Abu Dhabi's health innovation ecosystem and explore pathways for wider growth.
Her Excellency Dr Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: "Entrepreneurs with a deep understanding of the communities they serve can develop solutions grounded in real health needs, local realities, and affordability and access to the right expertise, networks and investment can help turn that potential into lasting impact. Future Health's collaboration with Bridge for Billions can help deepen their impact at home, while creating pathways for the most promising solutions to reach more people over time."