Careers
Contact Us
Donate
Donate
Donate

AMIU partners with Family Larsson‑Rosenquist Foundation to promote entrepreneurship in public health 

The prize-giving ceremony of the From Idea to Impact – Building a Public Health (Social) Enterprise initiative, held on 25th March 2026 at Amref International University (AMIU) in Nairobi, marked the conclusion of a training pathway dedicated to the development of entrepreneurial solutions for public health. 

The ceremony was attended by institutional partners and programme supporters, including H.E. Mirko Giulietti, Ambassador of Switzerland to Kenya, highlighting the close relationship between Switzerland and Kenya and shining the spotlight oninitiatives that promote innovation and sustainability in health systems. 

From Idea to Impact is part of the collaboration between Amref International University and the Family Larsson‑Rosenquist Foundation, and reflects a shared commitment to strengthening entrepreneurial skills in the public health sector, particularly in the field of maternal and child health. 

Maternal and child health is a central pillar of community wellbeing. Breastfeeding, in particular, is a critical determinant of health; however, without strong healthcare systems and adequate maternal and child health services, it remains challenging to effectively support mothers to breastfeed. 

It is within this context that, in 2024, the Family Larsson‑Rosenquist Foundation and Amref International University (AMIU) launched the educational programme From Idea to Impact – Building a Public Health (Social) Enterprise, with the aim of developing sustainable solutions for public health, including maternal and child health, through social entrepreneurship. 

From Idea to Impact: from education to implementation

The programme aims to strengthen students’ skills in building impact‑driven enterprises that address concrete needs within health systems. It is structured over five one‑year cycles and takes a blended approach that combines interactive in‑person workshops with online sessions, making participation compatible with students’ other commitments. Each learning cycle concludes with a business plan competition, during which the top three projects receive seed funding (USD 3,000, 2,000, and 1,000) to support the initial implementation of their ideas in Kenya and across the East African region. 

A structured pathway to build sustainable enterprises

The programme places strong emphasis on developing the organisational and financial foundations of entrepreneurial initiatives. Key topics covered include team development, skills analysis, risk management, compensation models, and financial discipline. 

Several sessions were led by Dr. Katharina Lichtner of the Family Larsson‑Rosenquist Foundation, with an approach focused on the long‑term sustainability of enterprises and the importance of solid structures to attract investment and generate lasting impact. 

A key message throughout the programme was that, in order to be transformed into real‑world solutions, ideas must be supported by well‑structured organisations and rigorous financial management. 

 

Awarded projects

During the final event, three projects were recognised for their innovation, relevance, and potential impact: 

  • The winner of the first prize was BeneVita Home Healthcare, a professionalised home‑based nursing care model integrated within insurance systems. 
  • The first runner-up was Afya Mind, a digital platform designed to improve the delivery of mental health services and the efficiency of practitioners. 
  • The second runner-up was MaggoCare, a solution for the management of chronic wounds through Maggot Debridement Therapy, a biological and cost‑effective approach that remains underutilised. 

The selected projects received seed funding to support the early implementation phases of their initiatives in Kenya and across the East African region. 

An investment in sustainability

Thanks to an initial contribution from the Family Larsson‑Rosenquist Foundation, which allocated USD 141,500 in 2024 to establish the programme, From Idea to Impact is now part of the Health Entrepreneurship Academy at Amref International University (AMIU). The objective is to transfer skills, processes, and local capacity so that the programme can consolidate over time and operate sustainably, with increasing involvement from health entrepreneurs and professionals in the region. 

For Amref Health Africa, this collaboration is a concrete example of how education, partnerships, and entrepreneurship can work together to strengthen health systems and develop practical solutions that sustainably improve the health of mothers, children, and communities. 

Find out more:

  • Maternal and child health is a central pillar of community wellbeing. Breastfeeding, in particular, is a critical determinant of health; however, without strong healthcare systems and adequate maternal and child health services, it remainschallenging to effectively support mothers to breastfeed. The Family Larsson‑Rosenquist Foundation exists to “build innovative, efficient pathways to a world where every child has an optimal start in life through the benefits of breastmilk”. Read more on their website.