The South African Medical Research Council is the largest African government funder of health research Innovation in Africa. It houses a number on instruments to assist entrepreneurs succeed in driving innovation to market, these include:

Led By Zoleka Ngcete: Senior Program Manager
– The Strategic Health Innovation Partnership, funded by the Department of Science Technology and Innovation: focusses on investments into drug, vaccine, digital Health, AI and medical devices – either research or product development.
– Grand Challenges South Africa since its inception in 2013.

Led by Michelle Mulder, Executive Director
– The Technology transfer office who assists companies with their IP, technology development.
– MEDDIC – SAMRC hosts the medical devices cluster of the Technology Innovation Agency – assisting spin out companies developing devices and diagnostics to troubleshoot the
– Product development funding instruments

Led by Richard Gordon
– The African Health Research Innovation Funders Forum: An annual meeting, hosted by the SAMRC for funders of Health Research, seeking to promote collaboration between funders, countries – ultimately catalyzing the SWEAT meeting

Location: Bertha Retreat, SWEAT Africa Venue

Time: 17:30 – 19:00

Date: 13 February 2026

Organisers: Richard Gordon and Karabo Kgomo