Reckitt Catalyst Reckitt Catalyst
HealthTechCleanTechSeedPre-Series ASeries ASeries B

Reckitt Catalyst Accelerator Program 2025

Funding & mentorship for under-represented entrepreneurs scaling health and hygiene solutions

Organizer: Reckitt Benckiser
Deadline: August 10, 2025
Category: Accelerator
Regions: Rwanda, Burundi, Liberia, Tanzania, Benin, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Sudan, Central African Republic, Djibouti, South Africa, Madagascar, Tunisia, Gambia, Togo, Equatorial Guinea, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Botswana, Mozambique, Comoros, Mauritius, Morocco, Ghana, Algeria, Chad, Cabo Verde, Namibia, Somalia, Niger, Seychelles, Congo, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Mali, Eritrea, South Sudan, Egypt, Gabon, Malawi, Angola, Eswatini, Uganda, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Lesotho, Ethiopia, Sao Tome & Principe, Libya, Zambia, DR Congo
Back to All Opportunities

The Reckitt Catalyst Accelerator is a global initiative supporting underrepresented, impact-driven entrepreneurs working to improve access to health, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). Led by Reckitt, in partnership with Yunus Social Innovation (YSI) and Health Innovation Exchange (HIEx), this program provides funding, mentorship, and strategic support to ventures creating measurable social impact in historically underserved markets.

Program Overview

  • Program Name: Reckitt Catalyst Accelerator 2025
  • Organizers: Reckitt, in partnership with YSI and HIEx
  • Cohort Duration: October 2025 – April 2026 (6 months)
  • Format: Virtual (with two half-day bootcamps)
  • Application Deadline:
    • Africa, Asia & LATAM: August 10, 2025

Focus Areas

The program seeks ventures addressing key challenges in:

  • Healthcare access and affordability
  • Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)
  • Behavior change for hygiene and disease prevention
  • Community-based health innovation and inclusion

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, ventures must:

  • Be legally registered, for-profit, and headquartered in:
    • Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil, or the United States
  • Have a proven product-market fit with at least $5,000 in monthly revenue
  • Be tackling health or hygiene challenges (either is sufficient)
  • Demonstrate a business model aimed at long-term sustainability
  • Be led by diverse or underrepresented founders, especially women and community-based innovators

What Startups Receive

  • Equity Investment: Up to US $30,000, pending due diligence and approval (via SAFE agreement)
  • Mentorship: Access to global mentors, including Reckitt executives and experts in scale, partnerships, and operations
  • Strategic Guidance: Tailored support based on a needs assessment
  • Investor Introductions: Post-program connections and visibility to potential funders
  • Community of Practice: Ongoing support through alumni network and partner ecosystem
  • Brand Alignment Opportunities: Potential to collaborate with Reckitt brands and expand market reach

Program Commitments

  • Weekly participation (~5 hours/week)
  • Two senior team members must attend at least 80% of sessions
  • Active participation in bootcamps, coaching, and surveys for two years post-program
  • All sessions conducted in English; stable internet connection required

Selection Process & Timeline

  1. Application Review: July – August 2025
  2. Video Interviews: August – September 2025
  3. Final Jury Review: September 2025 (20 ventures selected)
  4. Accelerator Begins: October 2025

The Reckitt Catalyst Accelerator is a high-impact platform for underrepresented entrepreneurs aiming to scale innovative health and hygiene solutions. With financial investment, expert guidance, and meaningful partnership opportunities, selected ventures will be equipped to unlock new levels of growth and impact. Applications are currently open — submit by August 10, 2025, if based in Africa, Asia, or LATAM, or apply anytime if based in the U.S.