HIP
CHALLENGE
Build real-world innovation capability through live product-development experiences.
Not a pitch competition. Not passive learning. A guided implementation experience designed to help participants move from ideas to real product and market pathways.
Don’t fake it.
Make it.
Test it.
Sell it.
Start with an idea.
Don’t overthink it.
Work through a guided pathway that helps transform community insight into practical products, validation, and market participation.
WHAT IS THE HIP CHALLENGE?
Not a contest. A product-development experience.
HIP gives participants practical exposure to how products are shaped, positioned, validated, and prepared for real markets.
Instead of chasing a prize or certificate, participants work through a guided pathway that connects community insight, product thinking, implementation practice, and market readiness.
Nourishea serves as the working product pathway — a real-world model for learning how ideas move toward products, customers, and market participation.
Join the Info Session
Ready to see how HIP works?
Register for the information session to learn how the HIP Challenge works, who it is for, and how to apply for the program launch.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU REGISTER?
From information session to program application
The information session introduces the HIP Challenge, explains the pathway, answers key questions, and shows participants how to apply for the program start.
After the session, interested participants can apply to join the HIP program pathway and begin moving through guided implementation experiences connected to product development, validation, and market participation.
Participants accepted into the program may connect with mentors, educators, product-development partners, and ecosystem support across the Communities of Africa network.
The first step is simple: register for the information session, understand the opportunity, then apply when you are ready.
WHO IT’S FOR
Built for learners, builders, and pathway partners
HIP brings learners, innovators, educators, and ecosystem partners into one practical implementation environment.
Learners
Build real product-development experience through guided learning, validation, and market-focused activities.
Innovators
Transform ideas into products through structured development, ecosystem support, and commercialization guidance.
Institutions
Create stronger pathways between education, practical learning, innovation, and economic participation.
Partners
Support translational innovation, community entrepreneurship, and practical product-development ecosystems.
ECOSYSTEM
Supported by a real development network
The HIP Challenge connects learners, innovators, educators, manufacturers, ecosystem builders, and commercialization partners into one practical product-development pathway.
Supported by Communities of Africa, FOI Science, SOMO, and aligned ecosystem collaborators helping bridge learning, innovation, product development, validation, and market access.
GET INVOLVED
Start building products that move beyond the classroom
Join the HIP Challenge to learn through real product development, or collaborate with us to support innovation, manufacturing, validation, and market access pathways across Africa.
Education • Innovation • Manufacturing • Commercialization • Community Impact