Applications are now open for Pitch Perfect Africa 2026!
Now in its second year, Pitch Perfect Africa celebrates and supports entrepreneurs developing health-focused innovations across Africa.
Six H2i Level 2 ventures will be selected to pitch their innovations to a panel of expert judges. Three ventures will each receive a CAD $5,000 Innovation Fellowship to support the continued development of their work.
Please note: Fellowship payments may take three to four months to be processed following the competition.
Pitch Perfect was created to provide early-stage H2i ventures with funding and pitch opportunities. It also helps ventures strengthen their investment readiness through a competitive pitch experience. The program expanded to H2i’s African venture community in 2025. Read about last year’s winners.
Please note, finalists will be selected from the current pool of H2i ventures. Ventures who apply after August 31, 2026 will NOT be eligible for this opportunity.
Key Dates
- Applications Open: Tuesday, September 8, 2026
- Application Deadline: Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 11:59pm (Eastern Time)
- Building a Winning Pitch Masterclass: Friday, October 9, 2026
- Pitch Competition (Virtual): Monday, November 16, 2026
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be a current H2i Level 2 HENT venture onboarded by their lead mentor by August 31, 2026. No exceptions. H2i Level 2 ventures are in the Discovery stage of H2i’s four-level venture development model.
- Have not previously won Pitch Perfect Africa. Past finalists who did not win are welcome to reapply.
Not part of the H2i community yet? We encourage interested ventures to join the H2i community as a client company to access mentorship, programs, and future opportunities.
How to Apply for the Pitch Perfect Africa 2026
Complete the application form below.
This form is closed for submissions.
We recommend drafting and saving your responses in a separate document before submitting the application.
Questions? Email h2i.international@utoronto.ca.
This program is designed and implemented by Health Innovation Hub (H2i) under the Africa Health Collaborative in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
Prepare for your pitch
We are also offering a masterclass session to help ventures strengthen their pitching and market research skills.
Building a Winning Pitch Masterclass
A strong pitch starts with a clear understanding of your venture’s value proposition.
Join the Health Innovation Hub (H2i) for Building a Winning Pitch Masterclass, a practical session designed to help early-stage health entrepreneurs strengthen how they communicate their venture.
Led by Professor Paul Santerre, the session will cover the 10 key elements of a winning pitch, from defining the problem and solution to understanding your market, competition, milestones, and team.
Date: Friday, October 9, 2026
Time: 8:00 – 9:00am ET | 12:00 – 1:00pm GMT
Format: Zoom
Registration: https://luma.com/gov7ux06 (This masterclass is open to all)
Who Should Attend
Early-stage health entrepreneurs who want to improve their venture story, prepare for pitch opportunities, and communicate more effectively with customers, experts, partners, judges, and investors.