Social innovation: a catalyst for change

In Kenya, limited access to animal health solutions and efficient farming measurements can lead to harmful consequences for small-scale farmers through reduced economic income and food security. Having experienced the struggles of smallhold Kenyan farmers firsthand, Dr. Chris Silali founded a healthcare technology company named Geneplus with the mission to increase the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of farmers’ enterprises. The start-up’s innovative idea is to use easily accessible mobile technology to improve artificial insemination access for rural farmers, along with quality feed and vaccines. This has the potential to enhance the productivity of millions of cows, increasing milk production from 8 to 15 liters per day. 

Sustainable health solutions through social innovation

Supporting social innovators such as Dr. Silali is a promising approach to drive sustainable health solutions in underserved communities. However, too few promising social innovators can move forward with their ideas as they often struggle to find funding. One big breakthrough for Dr. Silali came in 2022 when GenePlus was accepted into Making More Health’s (MMH) “Rising Stars” program. 

“I am very passionate about bringing change to underserved communities, and this was a huge opportunity for Geneplus,” Dr. Silali explains. “It opened us up to the world.” MMH's Rising Stars program is designed to address the critical funding barriers and capacity-building resources that often hinder young healthcare start-ups in Sub-Saharan Africa from realizing their innovative ideas. “We discovered that start-ups in certain areas face several challenges in achieving sustainable growth, highlighting the importance of early support," explains Dennis Mbugua, MMH Manager.  

Financing social businesses serving underserved communities

Through the support of the “Rising Stars”, Geneplus has been able to develop their business and reach 215,780 farmers from 187,540 when the program started, but this was only the beginning. In 2023, Geneplus entered as a participant in the MMH Business Accelerator cohort, a program where social entrepreneurs can develop, pilot, test, and present their innovations to investors. And already in October the same year, the next breakthrough came.  

At the recent Making More Health Together convention, thought leaders and social innovators, such as Dr. Silali, came together to exchange best practices, inspire, and collaborate. And here, another milestone was reached. Together with Ilara Health, GenePlus was announced as the next Boehringer Ingelheim Social Engagement’s (BI SE) impact investment recipient – one of the highlights of the convention. Our BI SE program provides financing for impact to social businesses serving underserved communities worldwide through non-traditional financing options, combined with a partnering approach and the support of our employees. “Through Geneplus, I have a chance to bring something positive to smallholder farmers,” Dr. Silali says, “and I am delighted to partner with BI SE and further our cause to make animal health solutions accessible for these communities.”