The Bayer Foundation Women Entrepreneurs Award 2025

Deadline: 18 February 2025

Are you a women-led enterprise building sustainable solutions in health or food security? If yes, then apply now for Bayer Foundation Women Entrepreneurs Award.

Across Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East, they’re seeking 15 women who are ready to scale their ideas and create sustainable change. If you’re working on innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges in health and food security, now is the time to take your business to the next level.

If you’re working on innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges in health and food security, now is the time to take your business to the next level.

This award is tailored to provide the resources, support, and visibility needed to elevate your work and amplify your mission.

Focus Areas

Health
- Everyday Health
  - Enabling access to everyday health solutions for underserved communities
- Healthcare Payment Options
  - Solutions that make healthcare more affordable and accessible for all.
- Health Technologies
  - Digital solutions that improve access and efficiency in healthcare.
- Community Health Workers (CHW)
  - Initiatives that empower and support CHWs to deliver better care.
- Fewer diseases
  - Addressing health issues like infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases worsened by climate change.
Food Security
- Value Chains & Markets
  - Strengthening food systems to ensure equitable access and fair trade including supporting smallholder farmers.
- Food Waste Prevention
  - Solutions to minimise waste from production to consumption.
- Healthy & Sustainable Food Access
  - Initiatives making nutritious food available and affordable.
- Water Justice & Sanitation
  - Ensuring clean water and sanitation to support food and health issues.
- Good Agricultural Knowledge
  - Teaching basics of good generational agricultural knowledge

Benefits

As one of 15 winners selected from Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, you’ll receive:
- 6-Month Accelerator Programme
  - Access tailored mentorship, expert networks, and comprehensive entrepreneurial support to grow your business and achieve your goals.
- Sponsored Trip to Award Ceremony
  - Celebrate your success with a fully funded trip to an exclusive award ceremony, connecting with peers and global leaders driving change.
- Visibility and Recognition
  - Share your story on a global stage, highlight your achievements, and inspire others to lead with purpose and create positive impact.
- Bayer Foundation Alumni Community
  - Access a global community of past winners and changemakers for ongoing collaboration, learning, and support to sustain your journey.
- Join Impact Hub Network
  - Become part of a global community of 320k impact innovators and entrepreneurs driving inclusive and sustainable innovation – at scale.

Funding Information

€25,000 Cash Support
- Receive financial support to grow your business, expand your reach, and bring your mission to life with confidence.

Eligibility Criteria

The award seeks to support women entrepreneurs driving impactful solutions in the emerging countries’ region, specifically Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.
To qualify, applicants must centre their solutions around health and/or food security. Additionally, the solutions should emphasise social or community impact.
Applicants are encouraged to integrate this focus into their applications.
Addressing climate related issues is a plus, however stand-alone climate-smart solutions will not be accepted.
To be eligible to apply for the Women Entrepreneurs Award, please make sure you meet the below criteria:
- Women business leaders:
  - The applicant must be a woman in a leadership position (co)-founder or C-level) in the company. Other leadership positions in the organisation may (can also) be filled by males.
- Has a sustainable business/financing model:
  - organisations of any legal entity type may apply, if there is a strong business mindset and the business is not dependent on grants/donations/subsidies/etc as a sole income stream.
- Offers an impactful solution in health, and/or food security:
  - Feel free to explore the focus themes for a deeper understanding of what they are looking for.
- Is creating a social or community impact:
  - Solutions should (aim to) be accessible to Low or Middle-Income Communities. Higher product/service prices before economies of scale are accepted.
- Is driving impact in the emerging countries and regions:
  - The business must drive its impact in low- and middle-income countries in Africa, Asia Pacific (excluding Australia & New Zealand), Latin America, or the Middle East. Business registration in the Global South is preferred.
- Is revenue-generating:
  - The business generates annual revenue up to $500,000 USD.
- Strong personal drive & commitment to impact:
  - The applicant should have a strong personal drive and commitment to social impact. They favour applicants who have had to overcome obstacles in life.