Dr Fezile Khumalo selected for AfOx Health Innovation Platform Phase 2 Fellowship

Dr Fezile Khumalo (Division of Medical Virology and CIDRI-Africa mentee) has been selected for the highly competitive AfOx Health Innovation Platform (HIP) Phase 2 Fellowship.

Fezile is one of only 15 fellows to successfully progress to the second phase of this prestigious programme, which supports health innovation and entrepreneurship across the continent. This is a significant achievement and a testament to Fezile’s outstanding promise, commitment, and the calibre of her work. Her selection recognises not only her individual excellence, but also the strength of the environment supporting emerging African health innovators.

We are extremely proud of this recognition and look forward to seeing the impact of her work grow through this opportunity.

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The AfOx HIP Phase 2 Fellowship is part of the Africa Oxford Health Innovation Platform (AfOx-HIP), a multidisciplinary initiative by the University of Oxford’s Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx). This program aims to support African innovators in developing impactful health solutions by connecting research to industry, focusing on prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment through impact investment and innovation

AfOx Innovation fellowships to up to 15 innovators who have completed the virtual programme in innovation & entrepreneurship in health, and whose projects offer the greatest potential for successful venture development and significant health impact. They receive personalised, technical support from collaborators in Oxford. Over 300 researchers across all Divisions of the University have expressed interest in sharing ideas, knowledge and expertise with African colleagues. 

During this second phase of training, the cohort is also invited to a week-long boot camp in Oxford. The boot camp offers them an opportunity to participate in hands-on workshops and engage with their peers from their cohort and at Oxford. 

The boot camp covers essential topics for deep science start-ups including intellectual property rights, regulatory considerations, business valuation, fundraising strategies, negotiating deals, building the team and how to run an effective board.  It is an invaluable opportunity for the cohort to stress test their projects and integrate critical technical and business strategy feedback. 

The week concludes with a Demo Day during which participants present their start-ups to the wider AfOx networks for investment or other offers of support.