Call for
Swiss Re Foundation announces Entrepreneurs for Resilience Programme
Application Deadline:
1 June 2025
About Organisation
The Entrepreneurs for Resilience Programme is an initiative of the Swiss Re Foundation, supported by the Digital Connected Care Coalition (DCCC), UBS Optimus Foundation, Sanofi’s Global Health Unit’s Impact Fund, and the Philips Foundation. The programme is rooted in the belief that innovative social enterprises play a vital role in building a more resilient and inclusive world, particularly by enhancing access to quality healthcare for low-income populations. Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the initiative targets pressing global challenges, particularly those impeding progress toward universal health coverage.
In its 2026 edition, the programme focuses on promoting hybrid “brick-and-click” healthcare delivery models—those that blend physical, in-person care (brick) with digital technologies (click)—as a sustainable approach to deliver primary healthcare to underserved communities in low- and middle-income countries. The initiative encourages scalable, socially impactful solutions that not only provide medical care but also integrate financial tools like microinsurance or savings mechanisms. By pooling expertise and funding from top healthcare and impact-driven organizations, the programme fosters a strong support ecosystem for selected social enterprises, helping them achieve measurable impact and long-term sustainability in their operations.
About the Grant
The Entrepreneurs for Resilience Programme 2026 offers a robust support package to selected social enterprises that enhance healthcare access for low-income populations in LMICs through innovative brick-and-click models. The programme will identify 6–8 top candidates, each receiving CHF 37,500–50,000 after due diligence. Of these, 3–4 finalists will be awarded a share of CHF 800,000 in grants, forgivable loans, or recoverable grants, with the top-ranked finalist eligible for up to CHF 350,000.
In addition to funding, the programme provides tailored technical assistance: five days for the top 6–8 candidates and 15 days for the finalists. This includes support in areas such as impact measurement, financial management, marketing, gender inclusion, and more, delivered over a span of up to two years. Finalists also gain access to domain experts from Swiss Re, DCCC member organizations, and leading health and finance institutions.
Other benefits include global visibility, peer networking, investor exposure, and the opportunity to win the People’s Choice Award at the Sankalp Forum, a platform for impact enterprises. The grant aims to help enterprises refine their models, scale up operations, and become integrated into broader public health systems, ensuring lasting impact in the healthcare space.
Who can Apply?
The programme invites formally registered social enterprises that use hybrid brick-and-click healthcare models to improve access to quality primary care for low-income populations in low- and lower-middle-income countries. Organizations must have been established by 2022 and must comply with the legal requirements of their operating countries, including eligibility to receive funding from a Swiss NGO.
Eligible enterprises must serve a minimum of 20,000 individuals and demonstrate the potential to reach at least 100,000 people within the next two years. At least 50% of their customer base should come from low-income populations. Preference is given to organizations that promote gender inclusivity—either with a female founder or 30% female representation in the management team.
Applicants must have a market-based revenue model; while grant funding may account for up to 50% of revenue, there must be evidence of growth potential through earned income. A well-defined, diverse management structure is essential, along with the ability to measure social impact (e.g., improved health outcomes, reduced healthcare costs). Solutions that incorporate financing mechanisms such as microinsurance or savings tools are particularly encouraged.
Applications are welcomed from both for-profit and not-for-profit enterprises that demonstrate innovation, scalability, and alignment with public healthcare strategies.
How to Apply?
Eligible social enterprises can apply by submitting their proposals directly to the Entrepreneurs for Resilience Programme. The application should clearly outline the hybrid healthcare model, target population, business model, measurable impact, scalability, and financial strategy. Selected applicants will undergo a due diligence process and receive technical assistance during the review phase. Applications must be submitted before the stated deadline, ensuring all eligibility and documentation requirements are met.
Application Deadline
The final date to submit your application for the Entrepreneurs for Resilience Programme 2026 is June 1, 2025. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered.
Last Date To Apply
All interested social enterprises must complete and submit their applications by June 1, 2025, to be eligible for consideration in the 2026 Entrepreneurs for Resilience Programme cycle.
Grant Amount
Selected enterprises will receive grants ranging from CHF 37,500 to CHF 350,000, along with technical assistance, potential access to follow-on funding, and exposure to global healthcare and investor networks.
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
