FHI Ventures inducted its first cohort of five early-stage social enterprises into its accelerator program in May 2018. Thanks to the unique mix of capital support, customized training, and access to expertise and new markets that they received through program, members of the 2018 cohort have experienced measurable business growth, collectively raised an additional $2.2M in investment capital and forged ongoing partnerships with FHI 360 staff and projects.

Following on the heels of this success, we are pleased to share the four companies selected to make up the 2019 cohort. They are:

• Access Afya: Provider of primary healthcare services delivering affordable, effective health access in Kenya
• Folia Water: Creator of inexpensive, disposable filters with potential to provide safe drinking water to billions for less than a dollar a day
• Little Sparrows Technologies: Inventor of the first high-intensity, portable, power-adaptable phototherapy device for treating infant jaundice
• THINKMD: Developer of clinical intelligence software for mobile technology designed to expand global access to quality healthcare

The companies selected to be part of the 2019 cohort participated in a rigorous application process and were evaluated by the FHI Ventures Investment Committee, whose members include Deputy Chief Operating Officer Laura Kayser and Asia Pacific Regional Director Jackie McPherson, on a number of investment criteria. These include an emphasis on woman-and minority-run businesses, alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and a focus on geographies and sectors served by FHI 360.

You can learn more about FHI Ventures and the 2019 cohort by visiting www.fhiventures.com and reading the external announcement (LINK).