SHI Venture Development Program

In partnership with the Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking at Yale (CITY), the SHI Venture Development Program (VDP) helps Yale student and trainee entrepreneurs develop global health innovations for low- and middle-income countries and under-resourced areas in the United States. SHI provides a community of practice where student innovators working in global health at all stages can learn, connect, and grow.

Through Tsai CITY’s Accelerator and Launch Pad programs, which operate each fall and spring semester, students, trainees, and teams with innovative ideas receive guidance in building effective organizations, projects, and ventures. These sector agnostic programs offer workshops, mentorship, and funding, making them an excellent choice for student teams embarking on their journey in the innovation space.

The SHI VDP complements Tsai CITY's innovation programming by focusing specifically on global health innovation. SHI organizes monthly community gatherings featuring global health experts, skill sessions, and venture feedback opportunities for teams to earn, build skills, and develop their ventures. SHI Fellows provide weekly peer mentoring and teams have monthly coaching calls with the SHI managing director as well as access to SHI Mentors-in-Residence.

Additionally, teams in the program have an opportunity to apply for a Kalyanpur-Maheshwari Grant for Global Health Innovation to support their work. Each grant is for up to $5,000. To be eligible, teams must actively engage in SHI programming and meet specific milestones, including pitching their venture and demonstrating progress towards their goal. One grant will be awarded in the fall and spring semesters.

FlourshiMind / Nafsna (نفسنا)

Founded by Serena Slim (MPH ’27)

FlourshiMind / Nafsna (نفسنا) is an AI-enabled mental wellbeing platform created to support Lebanese and Arabic-speaking communities facing stress, burnout, and emotional strain. With an Arabic-first, culturally grounded approach, the platform reframes mental wellbeing as something to be nurtured daily—addressing stigma, language barriers, and gaps in formal care while expanding access to preventative, community-centered support.

GrandBridge

Founded by Casey Ma (MPH/MBA ‘26), Karen Hung (MBA ‘26), Erin Chen (MPH ‘26)

GrandBridge is an intergenerational mental health platform connecting older adults with students and younger adults through structured, supervised companionship. By transforming connection into a measurable, mutually beneficial process, GrandBridge delivers wellbeing where traditional therapy often falls short—reducing loneliness, fostering purpose, and strengthening mental health across generations.

The MicroClinic Project

Founded by Rishit Shaquib (YC ‘28), Shaunak Pandey (YC ‘28)

The MicroClinic Project delivers portable, offline-capable diagnostic telehealth kits that bring clinic-level care directly to underserved communities. Each solar-compatible kit integrates advanced diagnostics with a resilient telehealth platform operated by community health workers and supported by global specialists. With a cost of under one dollar per consultation, the model enables proactive, community-based care where traditional clinics and telemedicine are not feasible.

Mirabelle Medical

Founded by Clémence Bruguier (Cornell University), Emile Bouriez (Cornell University)

Mohammed Ramy (MD ‘28)

Mirabelle Medical is expanding access to early breast health screening through a low-cost, non-electronic mechanical device that detects breast stiffness abnormalities—an early physical indicator of potential pathology. Costing under eight dollars to manufacture and requiring no electricity or infrastructure, this solution is designed for deployment in low-resource global settings as well as underserved communities in the United States.

MYK|ART (My Kreative Art)

Founded by Mesk Alhammadi (MPH ‘25), Katniss Ni (MPH ‘26) Yumi Yang: (MPH ‘26)

MYK|ART (My Kreative Art) is a digital art therapy platform that combines live therapist-guided sessions with self-guided creative tools, mood tracking, and multilingual support. Designed for patients, caregivers, and families, MYK|ART makes emotional expression and connection accessible to those facing illness, fatigue, or logistical barriers—offering a scalable, culturally inclusive approach to evidence-based mental health support.

REACH Health (Reentry Access & Continuity in Health)

Founded by Atreya Manaswi (YC ‘29), Michael Stoica (YC ‘29), Bo Xin (YC ‘29)

REACH Health is building a telehealth platform designed to support individuals transitioning from incarceration back into their communities. By integrating secure in-facility telehealth kiosks with a post-release “reentry health buddy” app, REACH Health treats incarceration and reentry as a single, continuous health journey—improving chronic disease management, behavioral health access, and continuity of care while reducing preventable mortality and recidivism.

Vita

Founded by Joshua Shin (BS ‘28)

Vita is transforming how hospitals manage surplus medical equipment. Through a trusted, easy-to-use marketplace, Vita enables hospitals to redistribute, sell, or donate unused devices rather than letting them go to waste. By streamlining verification, logistics, and compliance, Vita turns inefficiency into sustainability—reducing costs and expanding access to essential equipment.