For investors & funders
Where Scientific Evidence Meets African Ingenuity.
Across Africa, scientific talent and indigenous resources create opportunities for discovery. Yet moving research from an idea to a validated innovation, a manufacturable product, or a commercial opportunity requires resources, collaboration, and a clear pathway forward. The Integrated Translational Science Commercialization Ecosystem (ITSCE), developed through the Africa America Beauty Alliance (AABA), is designed to connect scientific discovery with the people and resources needed to explore its real-world potential. We invite eligible sponsors, funders, and prospective participants to explore opportunities to support scientific research, strengthen innovation capacity, and help promising discoveries advance toward practical applications.
Why participate
Participation built around informed decisions
Evidence Before Narrative
The ITSCE Fund emphasizes scientific rationale, research objectives, appropriate validation, and transparent evaluation. The aim is to understand what is known, what remains to be demonstrated, and what steps may be needed to advance an innovation.
Understand the Research
Learn about the scientific problem being addressed, the research team’s role, the innovation’s development stage, and the next steps being considered. Available information will depend on the project and applicable confidentiality, data-sharing, and intellectual-property arrangements.
Milestones and Accountability
Where defined by a program or project agreement, participation may be structured around documented objectives, milestones, reporting, and review. The requirements and reporting arrangements for each opportunity will be specified in its applicable terms.
Risks Stated Clearly
Scientific research and commercialization involve uncertainty. A promising idea may require additional testing, resources, development, or regulatory review, and it may never become a commercial product. Participation should be evaluated according to the specific opportunity, written terms, and the participant’s own circumstances.
Ways to participate
Three pathways into the ecosystem
Champion — Support Scientific Discovery
Explore opportunities to sponsor eligible research and help strengthen the scientific work needed to evaluate promising innovations.
The specific use of contributions, reporting expectations, recognition, and any participation rights are defined by the applicable sponsorship program and written agreement.
Explore Champion ParticipationReserve — Explore Product-Related Opportunities
Explore eligible opportunities connected with product development or commercialization through the ITSCE Fund ecosystem. The nature of the opportunity, what a participant receives, payment terms, fulfillment conditions, and any associated rights must be clearly described in the relevant offer and agreement.
Participation is subject to the specific program terms and applicable law.
Explore Reserve OpportunitiesFounder’s Elite — Explore Expanded Participation
For individuals or organizations interested in a deeper role in supporting innovation, Founder’s Elite provides a pathway to explore participation under the terms of the applicable program.
The exact benefits, obligations, and rights depend on the specific offering. Any activity involving an investment, securities, or another regulated financial arrangement must comply with applicable legal requirements.
Inquire About Founder’s EliteInnovation Participation Shares
Understanding Innovation Participation Shares (IPS)
Champions who support an approved innovation may receive Innovation Participation Shares (IPS) under a written IPS agreement. That agreement defines the contribution amount and Champion level, the distribution calculation, the five-year participation term, the distribution cap, payment conditions, and cancellation and refund provisions.
IPS distributions are not guaranteed. If the designated innovation does not generate qualifying revenue during the term, participants may receive no distributions. Distributions stop once the cap is reached or the five-year term ends.
IPS does not provide equity or ownership in ITSCE Fund, ownership of intellectual property or products, or management or voting rights.
Review How IPS WorksBefore you participate
Understand the Risks Before Participating
Before contributing funds or entering an agreement, prospective participants should understand:
Research risk
Scientific findings may not support the original hypothesis or lead to a viable product.
Development risk
Additional validation, manufacturing, regulatory work, or resources may be required.
Commercial risk
Market demand, pricing, competition, distribution, and other factors may prevent successful commercialization.
Financial risk
Any potential financial benefit depends on the terms of the specific opportunity and the outcomes defined by its agreement. A return is not guaranteed.
Rights and obligations
Funding, sponsorship, pre-purchase, Innovation Participation Shares (IPS), and investment arrangements can carry different rights and legal implications. The applicable written terms determine the nature of each arrangement.
Participants should review the applicable agreements and seek independent legal, financial, or tax advice as appropriate. Nothing on this page constitutes an offer of securities or a guarantee of financial performance. The full disclosures appear on our Risk Disclosures page.
Get started
Help Advance the Next Generation of Scientific Innovation
The ITSCE Fund is building pathways that connect scientific talent, research, industry capabilities, and commercialization opportunities. If your organization or funding priorities align with this mission, we invite you to explore the available participation pathways.
All participation is subject to applicable eligibility requirements, availability, written agreements, and applicable law. The rights and obligations associated with any opportunity are determined by its governing documents.