October 30 ,2026

Making More Health Together 2026, an international healthcare conference hosted by Boehringer Ingelheim, was held on September 28–29, 2026, at the company’s headquarters campus in Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany. Hiroki Ishida, representative of AAIC’s Kenya entity, spoke at an investor-focused session.

Founded in 1885, Boehringer Ingelheim ranked 16th among pharmaceutical companies worldwide by sales in 2025 and is one of the world’s largest family-owned pharmaceutical companies. The conference is the annual gathering of Making More Health (MMH), an initiative launched in 2010 by Boehringer Ingelheim in partnership with Ashoka, a global network supporting social entrepreneurs. Through MMH, the company provides funding, including loans, and hands-on business support to social enterprises working to improve access to healthcare in emerging markets. The event brought together social entrepreneurs, startups, impact investors, NGOs, international organizations, and others working in healthcare in emerging markets, particularly in Africa and Latin America.

[Photo 1] Plenary session at Boehringer Ingelheim’s headquarters campus

Ishida Speaks at Investor Session “Secret Sauce for Excellent Investments”

[Photo 2 / thumbnail] At the Investors Track session “Secret Sauce for Excellent Investments” (from left: Andrew Gwadiva, Boehringer Ingelheim; Shiela Birungi, Impacc; Hiroki Ishida; Jordan Filko, AfricInvest; and Stewart Langdon, LeapFrog Investments)

On the second day, September 29, Ishida joined “Behind Great Deals: Secret Sauce for Excellent Investments,” an invitation-only, closed-door masterclass for investors held as part of the Investors Track, as one of the investors in African healthcare. The session was moderated by Andrew Gwadiva of Boehringer Ingelheim. Other panelists included Stewart Langdon, a partner at LeapFrog Investments, one of the world’s largest impact investment funds focused on healthcare and financial services in emerging markets. In 2024, LeapFrog raised its fourth fund, totaling more than US$1 billion, with Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank among its Japanese investors. Jordan Filko of AfricInvest, one of Africa’s largest private equity firms, also participated.

After the investors shared their investment track records and exit case studies, the discussion covered three themes: “Investment Processes and Decision-Making,” “Signals and Red Flags in Promising Deals,” and “Investment Structures and Approaches in Emerging-Market Healthcare.” Ishida explained that he places strong emphasis on forming an exit thesis at the time of investment—who would acquire the company, and why. He also noted that he approaches opportunities cautiously when they seek to transplant a successful model from another region without validating local conditions. In addition, he described how AAIC creates post-investment value by “building bridges to Japan,” introducing Japanese corporations and pharmaceutical companies as potential business partners and co-investors.

AAIC Portfolio Company BIMA Receives a Loan from Boehringer Ingelheim and Is Recognized at the Conference

Michelle, CFO of BIMA, an AAIC portfolio company, was also invited to attend the conference.

In 2026, BIMA received a loan through Boehringer Ingelheim Social Engagements, the company’s lending program for social enterprises. At the conference, BIMA was introduced and recognized as a newly supported enterprise.

[Photo 3] With supported enterprises and speakers featured at the conference (Michelle, BIMA’s CFO, is fourth from the left in the front row)

BIMA is a healthtech company that provides health insurance and telemedicine services to low-income populations via mobile technology. After obtaining Ghana’s first license for a telemedicine provider, the company expanded its operations to six countries: Ghana, Tanzania, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Cambodia. It now has more than 7 million active users. Working with insurers and telecom operators, BIMA offers medical consultations and hospitalization coverage for premiums of only a few dollars per month, extending access to healthcare for people who have traditionally been underserved by insurance. AAIC invested in BIMA in October 2024 through its second fund, the Africa Innovation & Healthcare Fund. LeapFrog Investments is also a co-shareholder in the company.

Reference: AAIC portfolio companies — Companies | AAIC Investment

With financing and collaboration from Boehringer Ingelheim, BIMA is expected to expand its business by drawing on the pharmaceutical company’s capital, expertise, and network. AAIC will continue supporting BIMA as a strong example of how a portfolio company can scale through collaboration with a global corporation.

Event Overview

Event: Making More Health Together 2026

Dates: September 28 (Monday)–29 (Tuesday), 2026

Venue: Boehringer Ingelheim headquarters campus, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany

Organizer: Making More Health (Boehringer Ingelheim × Ashoka)

Official website: https://mmhtogether.com

Media Inquiries

Contact (AAIC Investment): Contact | AAIC Investment