Bayer Foundation and Impact Hub Network Award 15 Women Entrepreneurs for Healthcare and Food Security Innovations

The Bayer Foundation, in partnership with the Impact Hub Network, has recognized 15 women entrepreneurs from Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific for their innovative approaches to healthcare and food security challenges. These awardees were selected from 1,763 applicants across 117 countries for developing practical solutions that include AI-powered health diagnostics and climate-resilient farming techniques.

This selection occurs at a critical juncture when global food insecurity affects 2.33 billion people, with 295 million facing acute hunger according to United Nations and World Health Organization reports. The winning entrepreneurs are addressing these systemic challenges through community-led nutrition models, circular economy approaches, and other scalable innovations designed for global impact. Each awardee receives a €25,000 cash prize, a six-month Accelerator Program, strategic mentorship, and access to a global network through the Impact Hub Network.

This comprehensive support addresses the significant barriers women entrepreneurs face in emerging markets, where they contribute 30% of GDP but struggle to access capital, mentorship, and visibility according to World Economic Forum data. The program has demonstrated measurable success since its 2021 launch, with previous award cohorts reaching 3.68 million people with improved healthcare, supporting over 69,000 smallholder farmers, and generating $3.93 million in additional rural income. The 2024 winners achieved an average revenue growth of 84% within six months of receiving support.

Chitkala Kalidas, Executive Director of Bayer Foundation, emphasized the program's multifaceted approach, stating that they believe in the transformative power of social entrepreneurs to drive systemic change. Through their partnership with Impact Hub, they connect entrepreneurs to resources and networks that help scale their impact while building sustainable innovation ecosystems. Detailed profiles of all 15 winners are available at bayerfoundation-wea.com, and the foundation's annual analysis of challenges facing women entrepreneurs in low- and middle-income countries can be found in their 2025 white paper.