For African scientists developing new health technologies, the journey towards commercialisation can be challenging. Scientific expertise and promising research do not automatically translate into the business skills, investment, and partnerships needed to bring an innovation to market.

Creating those connections was at the heart of a discussion on ecosystem development at the sixth African Health Research and Innovation Funders Forum (AHRIFF), held in Cape Town, South Africa, from 19 to 21 October 2026.

Professor Houda Ghozzi, founder of OpenStartUp, described three essential ingredients for sustainable innovation: the brain, representing scientific knowledge and expertise; the heart, including accelerators and financial support; and the home, where the different players can meet and work together.

“SWEAT is a home,” she said, highlighting the importance of bringing scientists, investors, funders and start-ups together around a shared vision.

Her message was reinforced by Dr Ross Vermeulen, Chief Scientific Officer of South African biotechnology company Fluorobiotech, who shared how entrepreneurship support helped him navigate the transition between academic research and commercialisation.

After developing technology with potential applications in local vaccine manufacturing, Dr Vermeulen and his co-founder received an initial translational grant of approximately R800 000. But when they sought further investment, a prospective investor instead encouraged them to participate in OpenStartUp’s accelerator programme.

The experience fundamentally changed his understanding of how to take an innovation to market.

“Sell it before you build it,” was one of the most important lessons, he said, alongside learning to communicate the benefits of a technology rather than its technical features.

“It took me three years to say raw materials for vaccines and not IVT enzymes,” he recalled.

Today, Fluorobiotech supplies raw materials for vaccine manufacturing, employs nine people and is pursuing opportunities to support local vaccine producers.

Dr Vermeulen, who is also part of the SWEAT Africa team, highlighted SWEAT Africa’s role in encouraging young scientists to consider entrepreneurship as a viable career path and recognise the potential of technologies developed within African universities.

Developing this talent pipeline was another focus of the session. Dr Bethlehem Tefera presented the African STARS Fellowship Programme, which is developing African expertise in science, entrepreneurship, and healthcare leadership. The programme has trained 106 fellows representing 27 African countries, with early outcomes including the advancement of four start-up companies.

Her message was that Africa needs stronger connections between existing programmes, so that researchers and innovators can progress towards commercialisation without having to start again each time one funding opportunity ends.

The discussion also emphasised the need for better coordination among funders, particularly around shared priorities and closer collaboration with African governments. Effective collaboration does not necessarily require funders to pool their resources, but rather to align their investments and work towards complementary objectives.

SWEAT Africa’s role in connecting researchers with potential investors offered a practical example of how these connections can be strengthened. Yolisa Nalule, Ecosystems Lead, Africa, at Wellcome, described how promising scientific ideas can reach the end of a research grant without a clear pathway towards further development. Bringing researchers to SWEAT Africa to meet venture capitalists and angel investors offers one way to help bridge that gap.

For Ghozzi, the ambition extends beyond individual innovations. It is about changing the opportunities available to African scientists and building businesses that respond to local needs.

SWEAT Africa’s contribution lies in helping create the connections, visibility, and shared ambition needed to make that possible.