The Health Entrepreneurship (HENT) Challenge’s first cohort is getting ready for their upcoming visit to Toronto, where they will continue their implementation phase through activities targeting business development, expanding entrepreneurial networks and facilitating exposure to potential investors.
In the meantime, the HENT Communications team caught up with the ventures from the first HENT Challenge cohort to learn more about the origins of their companies, what they’ve learned to date, and what is coming up next…
Through their work as medical radiographers, Innocent Menyo and his fellow co-founder Ggayi Noah Ronald had seen the plight of many patients with end-stage kidney disease, which resulted from unknown and uncontrolled hypertension. Knowing that the leading risk factor of cardiovascular disease and associated complications is high blood pressure, Innocent was inspired to develop iWell Bio Tracker, a wearable wristwatch that had the capabilities to remotely measure blood pressure of patients.
iWell Bio Tracker’s goal is to replace traditional means of measuring blood pressure, which often require patients to be physically present in a health facility, often having to wait in long queues before receiving a quick checkup. Their solution will allow patients to ongoingly monitor their blood pressure in their daily lives, simply through wearing a watch. Through generated reports, healthcare providers have access to robust and accurate data to provide patients the care and interventions they need to optimize their health.
What is the accomplishment to date that your team is most proud of?
Since iWell Bio Tracker’s launch, the venture is most proud of creating a functional Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Using this MVP, the team carried out a pre-pilot study at Kisugu Health Centre III in Kampala, Uganda in collaboration with technical experts from the hospital.
If you could give advice to another founder getting started, what would that be?
“Focus on having a prototype.”
Looking forward, the iWell Bio Tracker team is raising funds to carry-out a clinical trial on their devices. They are working to acquire a certificate of compliance and commercial license prior to launching their product into the market.
More News & Events
Skip scroller content
Beyond the Agenda: Bringing Mental Health and Well-being into the 2026 AHC Annual Convening
At the 2026 Africa Health Collaborative Annual Convening, mental health and well-being move beyond discussion into practice. Through quiet spaces, art therapy, movement, and youth-led innovation, AHC is creating a convening experience that supports meaningful participation, connection, leadership, and lasting impact.
Meet the Ventures Showcasing at the 2026 Africa Health Collaborative Annual Convening
These ventures advancing primary healthcare, entrepreneurship and health systems strengthening across Africa will showcase their innovations at the 2026 Annual AHC Convening.
From Clinic to Country: Building Ethiopia’s First Integrated Model for Older Adult Health
What began with one doctor questioning fragmented care for older adults has grown into a pioneering model for Ethiopia. With leadership skills strengthened through the IMIx Certificate, Dr. Asrat built an integrated clinic now informing the country’s healthy aging efforts.
Apply for the Fully-Funded Healthy Futures South Africa (HFSA) PhD Fellowship Programme
This four-year programme supports emerging African health researchers and leaders to conduct community-focused research, strengthen health systems, and translate evidence into meaningful policy impact.
Ubuntu Rising Centres Youth Leadership, Innovation and Employment in Africa’s Health Future
More than 80 young health professionals, innovators and leaders gathered at Ubuntu Rising to advance youth leadership, innovation and employment. Their nine recommendations will inform the Africa Health Collaborative’s Youth Agenda and strengthen pathways for young people across Africa’s health ecosystem.
Advancing Health Equity in Africa: How Universities, Civil Society, and Communities Can Strengthen Primary Health Care
In the next HiAS, we explore how governments, universities, civil society and communities can work together to strengthen PHC and advance UHC in Africa, drawing on practical experiences, community engagement and lessons for building more equitable, resilient and people-centred health systems.
Emerging Leaders’ Day: From Youth Participation to Youth Influence
Emerging Leaders’ Day will bring together young health leaders from across Africa to build leadership skills, strengthen networks, and influence conversations shaping the future of health systems.
Leading Change Through Lived Experience
Across Africa, an emerging generation of health leaders is transforming personal challenges into powerful innovations. Through the AHC’s Young Leaders Committee, young researchers, entrepreneurs, technologists, and advocates are drawing on lived experiences with illness, caregiving, mental health, and healthcare inequities to design solutions that strengthen health systems and expand access to care.
2027-2028 Doctor of Public Health Scholarships Open
We are pleased to announce the start of the 2027-2028 Mastercard Foundation graduate scholarship recruitment at the University of Toronto. This doctoral scholarship opportunity is open to recent alumni and graduating students at our Africa Health Collaborative partner universities. These graduate scholarships will be awarded to individuals who have demonstrated academic excellence in associated health-related disciplines […]
Health Innovation as a Pathway to Africa’s Health Sovereignty
Join the next HiAS as Dr. Robert Karanja explores how talent, research, investment, policy, and partnerships can unlock Africa’s potential in digital health, biotechnology, and deep-tech innovation.