UNICEF Selects 22 Ghanaian Startups for Its Accelerator Program; StartUp Lab

UNICEF has accepted twenty-two Ghanaian startups for the second cohort of its StartUp Lab Accelerator Program out of 200 applications.

The StartUp Lab is a co-creation space and accelerator, that engages young startups in the development of innovative, open-source, market-driven products and solutions that address complex problems impacting the well-being of children and young people, especially the most vulnerable.

"UNICEF is excited to welcome this new cohort of 22 startups from across Ghana to the UNICEF StartUp Lab for 2021", said UNICEF Deputy Representative, Fiachra McAsey. "Each of the startups is already marketing impactful products and services that, if brought to scale, can positively influence and accelerate results for children, young people, and communities. Over the next months, the UNICEF team will be working closely with this group of companies, and with the right support, we believe several of the solutions being worked on by these businesses could eventually have a global impact. From our perspective, the startups not only represent the best of Ghana's young entrepreneurial talent, but they can also inspire other impact-focused businesses across the Ghanaian economy.”

The selected companies Africa Goodnest, BACE, Bisa, Digital Health Access, MOCHCare, DEXT, eCampus, Scribble Works, TalentsinAfrica, WiredTutor, and AppCyclers, Asa Nwura, Coliba, Premier Waste Services, Geohebeth Lines, LEAP, Massira, Naa Sika, SnooCODE, Trimester Save, Trotro Diaries, and Wings to Fly.

Over the course of the 6-month program, the startups will also benefit from further development opportunities through UNICEF’s global innovation and entrepreneurship support mechanisms, including the UNICEF Venture Fund, and engagement in initiatives such as the Digital Public Goods Alliance.

The participants will access UNICEF’s wide network of technical experts to help them extend their social impact and enhance their products, some of which focus on the most complex development challenges. Each startup will also benefit from both group and individual mentoring, as well as capacity-building sessions to help scale and grow their business to compete internationally.

Training and curriculum will be managed by MEST Africa, the program’s main implementing partner, supported by additional technology hubs and an international team of experts with extensive experience working in the startup ecosystem and building impact-driven business across Africa.