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Isioma Udeozo, Founder of Evon Labs
By Chinenye Anuforo
Evon Labs, an innovation and venture-building platform focused on scaling technology-driven solutions to critical challenges across Africa, has launched HealthX Catalyst, a 12-week health-tech incubation programme designed to support early-stage founders in building scalable and investment-ready healthcare solutions.
The programme, currently underway, has selected 12 founders who are now approaching the final phase of the incubation process, which will culminate in a Demo Day scheduled for June 24, 2026.
Founder of Evon Labs, Isioma Udeozo, said the initiative was created to address a major structural gap within Africa’s health-tech ecosystem.
According to her, while many entrepreneurs across the continent are developing innovative solutions to healthcare challenges ranging from access and diagnostics to service delivery and health data infrastructure, a significant number struggle to move beyond the idea stage due to limited access to mentorship, startup development frameworks, industry networks and funding opportunities.
She explained that HealthX Catalyst was established to bridge this gap by providing founders with the support needed to transform promising ideas into sustainable businesses.
“Africa does not have a shortage of healthcare innovators. What it has lacked is the infrastructure to turn its ideas into sustainable businesses,” Udeozo said.
“HealthX Catalyst is that infrastructure, a serious, structured programme designed to take founders from early-stage ideas to investable startups. What we are seeing from this first cohort is exactly what we set out to create: founders who are not just building products, but building businesses that can scale and create lasting impact.”
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She noted that participants undergo a comprehensive 12-week development programme that combines personalised and group mentorship from experts across the healthcare, technology and business sectors.
The programme also provides support in refining business models, strengthening value propositions and validating target markets.
In addition, founders gain access to healthcare practitioners, industry leaders and sector specialists, while receiving investment-readiness support to prepare them for engagement with investors and strategic partners.
According to Evon Labs, the programme aims to ensure that participating startups emerge with validated business models, stronger professional networks and clearer pathways to growth.
The inaugural edition of HealthX Catalyst is being implemented in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which is supporting efforts to strengthen healthcare systems and promote sustainable development.
Other partners include Odua Investment Company Limited (OICL), Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), and Brooks Insights.
The incubation programme will conclude with a Demo Day at the UNDP Innovation Centre in Lagos on June 24, where the 12 participating founders will showcase their solutions before an audience of investors, healthcare leaders, development organisations and technology partners.
To support post-programme growth, the top three startups will receive monetary grants to fund product development, pilot implementation, market validation and early-stage expansion.
Evon Labs said the initiative aligns with its broader mission of identifying, nurturing and scaling technology-enabled innovations that address pressing challenges across Africa, particularly within the healthcare sector.
