Bringing ideas to life for public health

2024 From Idea To Impact Workshop

Breastfeeding is a critical determinant of healthy communities. Though without a healthcare system that provides robust mother and child health services, it is difficult to support mothers to breastfeed. 

This is why, in 2024, FLRF and Amref International University (AMIU) launched the From Idea to Impact – Building a Public Health (Social) Enterprise educational program. 

From Idea to Impact aims to develop sustainable solutions that promote public health – including maternal and child health – by teaching students how to establish social enterprises.  

The educational program will run for five one-year cycles. Students learn critical skills to build health-focused enterprises through interactive in-person workshops and online sessions. Each learning cycle culminates in a business plan competition – the top three plans win seed money (USD 3,000, 2,000, and 1,000) to assist the initial implementation of their ideas in Kenya and the East African Region. 


A comprehensive learning experience to foster innovation and empower students. 

  • From Idea to Impact covers the principles and practices of social entrepreneurship, combining academic instruction with practical application. 

  • Students begin at step one – developing a vision – and cover everything from branding, business planning, and raising funds to launching and growing an enterprise in the health innovation space. 

  • There is a strong focus on creating sustainable, real-world solutions that advance public health priorities. Included is breastfeeding, recognized as a cornerstone of primary healthcare. 

The overarching goal is to empower participants to conceive and implement business models for the public health sector that are both financially viable and aligned with their social objectives.


Project partners and facilitators 

  • Amref International University (AMIU) – From Idea to Impact is implemented through the Health Entrepreneurship Academy at Amref International University

  • Prof. Dancan Irungu, Director Entrepreneurship & Innovation; Rector, Institute for Sustainability, Innovation and Professional Education, Amref International University 

  • Dr. Katharina Lichtner, Managing Director, Family Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation; From Idea to Impact Program Facilitator

From Idea to Impact is implemented through the Health Entrepreneurship Academy at Amref International University, a pioneering initiative dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in healthcare. It forms part of Amref International University’s broader efforts to incubate impactful solutions, support the development of healthcare technologies, and strengthen the entrepreneurial capabilities of emerging public health leaders across the East African region.

FLRF donated USD 141,500 to establish the educational program in 2024. The goal is to transfer knowledge and build processes and funding sources that will enable it to run independently of FLRF with local, successful health entrepreneurs as part of the Health Entrepreneurship Academy at Amref International University.