Because founders and CEOs in Indonesia's maternal health and malnutrition space remain unseen, unheard and underfunded, we give fellows the tools and confidence to build the boards, budgets, strategies, governance and KPIs needed to entice institutional donors and unrestricted, multi-year funding.

Over the next 5 years we will seedfund and fortify 25 founders and CEOs, raising the tide, derisking the market and creating a pipeline and portfolio of robust organizations and individuals.We are an “early‑stage regrantor & capacity‑builder” that de‑risks hyperlocal maternal health & malnutrition NGOs in Indonesia so big funders can confidently step in later.

Black Licorice fills the riskiest missing rung on the ladder: absorbing the early risk & professionalizes the most promising hyperlocal organizations so big funders can confidently step in later.

One country, one problem (maternal malnutrition & community health workers), one clear outcome—strong Indonesian NGOs moving the needle on maternal & child health.

Black Licorice is a small, sharp fund that finds the best Indonesian maternal health founders early, teaches them how to build great organizations, and turns a series of $20K bets into a nationwide pipeline of NGOs ready for institutional donors.

A simple rhythm each year—recruit 5 founders, run a one-year fellowship, back the best via the 1000 Days portfolio, and let some graduate into Mulago/Skoll-level portfolios over time.

Instead of cloning 1000 Days Fund, we're building a pipeline of peer-driven ecosystem of local NGOs that can raise standards, influence government, and reset donor norms around “local leadership.”