Swiss Re Entrepreneurs for Resilience 2027
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Quick Answer
Swiss Re Foundation funding for healthcare social enterprises in low- and middle-income countries: pilot funding up to US$45,000 (about ₹42.75 lakh), then a share of up to US$1 million.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- Swiss Re Foundation
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- International
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 5 October 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Swiss Re Foundation. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this grant
The 2027 call of Entrepreneurs for Resilience (E4R) is closed: applications were due by 23:59 CET on 4 October 2026. The Swiss Re Foundation's page says the team is now reviewing applications and gives no date for a next call, so none is announced. The programme has run for ten editions, each with its own focus, which makes this a useful guide to what the Foundation looks for.
E4R is the Swiss Re Foundation's programme for social enterprises that widen access to affordable, quality primary healthcare for underserved people in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The 2027 edition is its 10th. The Foundation works with the Digital Connected Care Coalition (including AXA EssentiALL and Sanofi's Global Health Unit Impact Fund) and the Philips Foundation. The 2027 call looked for "brick and click" models that join physical points of care, such as health workers, clinics, pharmacies and labs, with digital tools such as telemedicine, e-pharmacy, electronic records or AI-supported diagnostics.
What the program offers
Funding comes in stages. The 6 to 8 shortlisted enterprises can receive pilot funding of up to US$45,000 (about ₹42.75 lakh) during the due diligence phase, to test ways of increasing impact or validate new approaches. The jury then selects 3 to 4 finalists and shares up to US$600,000 in unconditional funding among them. After the finalists present progress at a gathering planned for Zurich in November 2027, up to US$400,000 in conditional funding is shared among them. Together that is up to US$1 million in blended funding over a two-year period.
Non-cash support includes 3 days of tailored technical assistance on impact measurement for shortlisted enterprises, up to 20 days over two years for finalists, access to Swiss Re and partner experts, and a People's Choice Award decided by public online vote.
Who can apply
The programme is for for-profit and hybrid social enterprises. To qualify, an applicant must:
- improve access to healthcare in LMICs and show measurable social impact;
- combine physical and digital care delivery;
- have low-income and underserved people make up at least 30% of its customer base;
- operate in countries the World Bank defines as LMICs;
- be formally registered for-profit, or run a formally established hybrid structure, and have been established no later than December 2023;
- earn at least 50% of income from earned revenue;
- already serve at least 50,000 people;
- have a strong management team, and be allowed to receive funding from a Swiss non-governmental organisation.
For an Indian healthtech or clinic-network founder the main hurdles are scale (50,000 people served), age (set up by December 2023) and the revenue mix. Check the World Bank's current country classification for each country you operate in. A pure early-stage idea, or a non-profit with little earned revenue, would not fit. The programme also gives preference to enterprises with at least one female founder or at least 30% women in management.
How to apply
For the 2027 call, applicants completed an online application in English by 4 October 2026; only English applications received before the deadline counted. Up to 25 enterprises were then invited to a more detailed second-round application, due 8 November 2026. A practical tip: have evidence of customers served, income split and health outcomes ready, because the first screening covers eligibility, impact, traction and strategic fit.
How applications are judged and what happens next
LeFil Consulting assesses applications in close collaboration with the Swiss Re Foundation, scoring strategic fit with the scope, social impact, business sustainability, scalability and team strength and diversity. After the second round, 6 to 8 enterprises go through due diligence between November 2026 and March 2027, including on-site visits of up to four days. They pitch to the jury in virtual sessions in May 2027. A jury of Swiss Re executives, programme partners and external experts picks the finalists and decides how funding is split. Pilot recipients sign a one-year agreement; finalists sign a two-year agreement with milestones, and funds are paid against progress.
About the Swiss Re Foundation
The Swiss Re Foundation runs Entrepreneurs for Resilience, which has been running since 2018 and backs social enterprises that strengthen vulnerable communities. Past editions have covered topics such as climate-smart farming, renewable energy for underserved communities and healthcare access.
Things to check before you apply
- Applications must be in English.
- Funding is paid against agreed milestones, not as a lump sum.
- Finalists present in Zurich, so budget for travel.
- All ideas submitted remain the property of the applicant, and everyone who reads applications signs a confidentiality agreement.
Eligibility
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Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
Benefits & Funding
- Fund type
- Grant
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayment
- Non-repayable
What You Get
The 6–8 shortlisted enterprises can receive pilot funding of up to US$45,000 each (about ₹42.75 lakh) under a one-year agreement. The jury then picks 3–4 finalists and splits up to US$600,000 of unconditional funding among them, and after the November 2027 gathering in Zurich it allocates up to US$400,000 of conditional funding. Finalists sign a two-year agreement and are paid against agreed milestones and deliverables. Shortlisted enterprises also get three days of impact-measurement support, and finalists up to 20 days of technical assistance over two years.
- Disbursement
- Milestone Based
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
Applications are screened on eligibility, impact, traction and strategic fit, and up to 25 go to a second round. Six to eight are shortlisted for due diligence by LeFil Consulting and the Foundation, then a jury picks 3 to 4 finalists and decides how pilot, unconditional and conditional funding is split.
Application Process
- 1
First application
Submit the online application in English.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Indian healthcare social enterprises apply for Entrepreneurs for Resilience?
The programme is open to enterprises operating in countries the World Bank defines as low- and middle-income. The official materials do not name India, so check the World Bank's current classification for your country before applying.
Can a non-profit apply?
The programme is for for-profit and hybrid social enterprises. An applicant must be formally registered for-profit or run a formally established hybrid structure, and earn at least 50% of income from earned revenue.
How large must the enterprise be?
It must already serve at least 50,000 people, have been established no later than December 2023, and have at least 30% low-income or underserved people among its customers.
How much funding is available?
Shortlisted enterprises can receive up to US$45,000 (about ₹42.75 lakh) in pilot funding. Finalists share up to US$600,000 unconditional and up to US$400,000 conditional funding, for up to US$1 million in total.
Is it a grant or equity?
The materials describe funding, not an equity investment, and say it is paid under agreements with the Swiss Re Foundation against milestones. They do not use the word grant or mention equity.
When was the deadline and what if it has passed?
The 2027 call closed on 4 October 2026 at 23:59 CET. No next call is announced, so check the Swiss Re Foundation website for any future edition.
Does the application have to be in English?
Yes. Only applications submitted in English before the deadline are considered.
Do I have to travel?
Due diligence involves on-site visits to your operations of up to four days. Finalists present their progress at a gathering planned for Zurich in November 2027, so travel to Switzerland is part of the programme.
What support comes besides money?
Shortlisted enterprises get 3 days of technical assistance on impact measurement. Finalists get up to 20 days over two years, access to Swiss Re and partner experts, and exposure to investors and peers.
Is it free to apply, and when are results announced?
The materials mention no application fee. The 2027 timeline had the second round due in November 2026, due diligence through March 2027, a jury pitch in May 2027 and a final funding decision after the Zurich gathering in November 2027.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
