ImpactU secures €300,000 to boost health-focused social ventures in low-resource settings

1st December 2025

ImpactU has received €300,000 from Financière de Tubize to expand its support for university-linked social ventures developing sustainable health solutions in low-resource regions.  

ImpactU, the UK network supporting university-based social ventures and of which Oxford University Innovation (OUI) is a founding member – has received €300,000 in funding from Financière de Tubize (FdT) to support enterprises improving health in low-resource settings.

The funding will see interest-free FdT Health Impact Loans, of up to £60,000 to social ventures that are scaling novel health technologies through financially sustainable business models.

FdT is the reference shareholder of UCB, the global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Belgium. It also has research centres in the UK, and the US.

As part of this collaboration, FdT will also fund a new role dedicated to supporting the delivery of the loans.

Philippa Christoforou, Social Venture Lead at Oxford University Innovation, said: ‘These loans are a fantastic opportunity for ventures to take the next step – piloting scalable, sustainable solutions that can deliver real health impact.

‘At OUI, we’re proud to be part of ImpactU’s mission to help university-linked ventures translate innovation into meaningful change on the ground. The additional funding for a dedicated role will also strengthen the network’s capacity to support ventures as they grow.’

Eligible ventures will have experience working in their target regions and will use the funding to run pilots that demonstrate both social impact and commercial viability.

Bruno Holthof, Chair of Financière de Tubize Board said: ‘We are committed to supporting innovation that delivers tangible improvements in global health. Partnering with ImpactU enables us to reach early-stage ventures who are turning ideas into sustainable, life-enhancing solutions in low-resource settings.

‘By funding both the Health Impact Loans and a new role, we aim to help these ventures build strong foundations for lasting change.’

To apply or for more information, please visit the ImpactU website.