CoWrks Foundry and Yale University launch interdisciplinary accelerator program on healthcare

NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 26: The CoWrks Foundry has partnered with Yale University with support from the RMZ Foundation, to launch a six-month, interdisciplinary accelerator program that will be facilitated through the Yale Institute for Global Health for young and early stage startups building innovative solutions in health.

Up to 10 startups will be chosen per year, over a five-year period. Each startup will each receive $70,000 in seed funding, mentorship from faculty and alumni at Yale, as well as benefit from a network of Indian industry experts. In addition, the program includes structured sessions to help startups evolve a sustainable and scalable business model, refine their go-to market strategy and build a global network. Startups applying to the program will be evaluated on whether their solution is robust, affordable, and addresses pressing healthcare challenges in India and other growing economies.

“The Yale Institute for Global Health’s partnership with the CoWrks Foundry and RMZ Foundation is based on a shared belief in the power of innovation in addressing pressing global health challenges,” said Peter Salovey, president of Yale University and the Chris Argyris, professor of psychology. “Within the Yale community and among young entrepreneurs in India, the Sustainable Health Initiative will catalyze the development of solutions that can improve lives and society.”

The CoWrks Foundry, based out of Bangalore, is a premier business accelerator for early stage businesses in the fields of urban technology, enterprise technology, and social enterprise. Its unique model of partnering with top global universities has opened opportunities for startups in India by providing access to global expertise and frameworks, in order to thrive and scale globally.

The Yale Institute for Global Health works to improve health and health equity for people worldwide. Through the Sustainable Health Initiative, the Yale Institute for Global Health will support students and professionals to innovate within broad thematic areas like infectious and non-communicable diseases, maternal, child and newborn health, water and sanitation, urban health and the environment.

“As the first signature program of the Yale Institute for Global Health, we are very excited to launch new and cost-effective solutions that will have a significant impact on the health of communities in India, the U.S., and around the world,” said Sten Vermund, MD, PhD, Dean, Yale School of Public Health. “SHI will be a unique opportunity to nurture fresh ideas and provide real support to innovative approaches and business opportunities that will address our most pressing health challenges.”

Nruthya Madappa, Managing Partner, The CoWrks Foundry also showed enthusiasm for the program. “Our partnership with theYale Institute for Global Health is aimed at global knowledge transfer resulting in research, that creates sustainable impact in healthcare not only in India, but also in the world’s emerging economies. With a large ecosystem that is growing at an accelerated pace, India is the perfect testbed for generating and promoting new ideas at the intersection of health, technology, environmental science, urbanization, and public policy.”

“Our objective through the Sustainable Health Initiative is to drive long-lasting solutions in the Indian healthcare sector. We hope to showcase this on a global stage by bringing together world-class education and expertise from industry veterans," said Anu Menda, Managing Trustee, RMZ Foundation, a non-profit organization, established to promote the well-being of humanity through sustainable development, resilient communities and urban innovations.