Reckitt announces launch of 2026-27 Catalyst cycle - empowering the next generation of health innovators

Catalyst is Reckitt’s global programme supporting women and underrepresented entrepreneurs developing business solutions to improve health, hygiene, water, and sanitation. Through funding, mentoring, and expert support, Catalyst helps female and underrepresented founders grow their impact and aims to expand access to health and hygiene for five million people worldwide by 2030.

In the 2026-27 cycle, the Catalyst programme will empower 20 social innovators to develop and scale their businesses in health, hygiene, water, and sanitation. Catalyst will also explore opportunities to work with Reckitt’s Power Brands to help deliver better health in more hands, every day.

• Applications are open to social innovators based, or with operations, in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Pakistan, Indonesia and India.
• Successful applicants will receive targeted training, one-to-one mentoring from Reckitt senior leaders, connection to a community of experts, opportunities to engage with government and public health organisations, and flexible financing of up to USD $30,000.
• Applications are now open and will close on 9 August 2026.
• The application form can be found here.

The Catalyst: A Home for Social Innovators

Since 2020, Reckitt has partnered with Yunus Social Innovation, Health Innovation Exchange, and Acumen America, to provide funding, mentorship and business support to more than 80 entrepreneurs across 15 countries.

Reckitt: We make the products people trust to care for the ones they love. We are home to some of the world’s best-loved consumer health and hygiene brands, including Dettol, Durex, Finish, Gaviscon, Harpic, Lysol, Mucinex, Nurofen, Strepsils, Vanish and Veet. Consumers are at the heart of everything we do. By creating innovative, science-backed solutions, we support people every day to live healthier lives. Reckitt exists to protect, heal and nurture in the pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. This commitment goes beyond the products we make. Through our actions, we expand access to healthcare, education and economic opportunities. We support the planet by reducing waste, conserving resources and driving sustainable innovation. We believe good health starts at home. With every action we take, we strive to make our consumers’ lives easier, cleaner and healthier, to strengthen communities and to create a more sustainable future.

Find out more, or get in touch with us at www.reckitt.com

We are YSI, a Europe-based social innovation consultancy. We believe that doing good makes business sense. We partner with corporations, philanthropic entities and social enterprises to make social innovation a key driver of business success. We design and implement strategies that align business success with positive societal and environmental impact. We work with a team of dedicated consultants and change makers, all aligned on making our time on this planet count. We are proud to be embedded in a global ecosystem of inspiring organisations and individuals. First founded in 2012, we remain committed to exploring new ways of collaborating and expanding the boundaries of business.

Visit us at ysi.global

HIEx enables trust and dialogue between the UN, ministries, innovators from both public and private sectors, and investors. Over the past five years, these conversations have led to the facilitation of numerous partnerships. These collaborations not only increased access to financing for scaling innovations but also deepened the understanding of the innovation ecosystem in Africa and Asia. Our unwavering commitment persists—to leverage innovation and investments to tackle the fundamental challenge: one in two people still lack access to essential healthcare.

Learn more at hiex.ch