KOICA–UNICEF Accelerating Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Ghana: 20 Startups Graduate with Solutions for Children and Adolescents

Accra, 24 September 2026 – Twenty Ghanaian tech-enabled, growth-stage social impact ventures have graduated from the sixth cohort of the StartUp Lab after completing an intensive six-month venture-building programme designed to strengthen their products, businesses and capacity to scale their social impact. 

The graduating ventures developed and refined solutions addressing challenges affecting children, adolescents and their communities across Ghana. Their solutions span education, health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), climate action, financial inclusion, mobility, agriculture, technology and youth employment. 

Established by UNICEF Ghana in 2019, the StartUp Lab is supported by the Government of the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) under the “KOICA-UNICEF Accelerating Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Ghana” project and implemented by MEST Africa. 

From Innovation to Impact 

Over the six-month programme, participating ventures worked with UNICEF programme specialists and industry experts to strengthen their products and business models, deepen their social impact, and prepare to access national and international investment opportunities. 

Each venture received an equity-free prototype grant of GHS 65,000. Three standout ventures shared an additional GHS 165,000 through the Scale-Up Fund GHS 55,000 each to support product development and growth. 

Celebrating a New Generation of Ghanaian Innovators 

The cohort addressed development priorities including education and skills, livelihoods and financial inclusion, health and nutrition, safety, climate action, agriculture and resilient communities. Ventures were based in Greater Accra, Western, Upper East, Northern, Upper West, Bono East and Central Regions. 

Building on a Growing Legacy 

Since 2019, the StartUp Lab has supported more than 122 early- and growth-stage social impact ventures, reaching over 250,000 children, adolescents and young people across Ghana. Over the past five years, KOICA has invested US$2.2 million in the initiative. 

The 20 startups will now join the programme’s alumni network, where they can continue building partnerships, attracting investment and scaling solutions that advance the Sustainable Development Goals. 

At Demo Day, the 20 startups presented their products and solutions to stakeholders, marking the culmination of the six-month programme and connecting their work with opportunities for partnership and growth. 

The Graduating Ventures 

The 20 ventures graduating from the sixth cohort of the StartUp Lab are: 

Education, STEM and Digital Skills 

• InovTech STEM Center equips schools with hands-on STEM tools and teacher training, helping students build problem-solving and innovation skills. 
• CodesRock teaches children aged three and above foundational coding, artificial intelligence and robotics through screen-free activities. 
• Literacy For Life combines literacy support, digital access and skills development to expand learning and livelihood opportunities in underserved communities. 
• DOBIISON Ghana Ltd develops immersive learning tools that help students understand difficult STEM subjects. 
• Konov develops artificial intelligence learning tools that prepare African children for an AI-driven future. 
• STEM FOR ALL produces affordable climate and renewable-energy STEM kits for basic schools in underserved communities. 
• HackerBoost expands access to practical technology skills and digital opportunities for underserved adolescents and young people. 
• Nboti Tech Initiative delivers school-based STEM, robotics and digital-skills training through workshops, projects and mentorship. 
• KOA Tutors expands access to practical, hands-on STEM education for children and adolescents in underserved communities. 

Youth Livelihoods and Financial Inclusion 

• Chalegig Ltd connects young people to income opportunities and skills development through a digital platform. 
• Phundit helps young people aged 18–35 build financial resilience through emergency savings. 
• TruCredit Micro Credit offers short-term working-capital loans to underserved micro and small businesses, supporting household livelihoods. 
• Startups Cooperative Credit Union combines affordable loans, mobile tools and business support for entrepreneurs, including young entrepreneurs. 

Health, Nutrition and Safety 

• Fihankra ComTech Ltd provides emergency-preparedness guidance through its Shield Portal, helping users—including adolescents and young people—respond safely to emergencies. 
• EGGS N MORE turns fresh eggs into affordable egg and eggshell powders for households, bakeries and child welfare clinics, supporting nutrition while reducing food waste. 

Climate, Agriculture and Resilient Communities 

• Eastern Freshaura upcycles agricultural and seafood waste into food-preservation packaging, reducing food loss and plastic pollution in communities where children live. 
• BorlaHub improves waste segregation and collection in communities and schools through a digital recovery platform. 
• Extech Agricultural Services connects remote farmers to buyers and promotes climate-smart production, strengthening food security and family livelihoods. 
• SmartWatt Company Limited converts conventional vehicles to electric power and develops battery and servicing solutions, contributing to cleaner air for children and communities. 

Cross-cutting Innovation 

• Impact AI Labs develops practical artificial intelligence solutions for social and economic challenges, with potential to improve services and opportunities for children and adolescents. 

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About UNICEF 

UNICEF works in more than 190 countries and territories to protect children’s rights and help every child survive, learn and thrive. In Ghana, UNICEF has supported national efforts for more than 40 years across health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, education, child protection and social policy. For more information about UNICEF and its work, visit UNICEF 

About KOICA 

Established in 1991, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) implements the Republic of Korea’s grant aid and technical cooperation programmes. In Ghana, KOICA supports education, health, agriculture and rural development, and governance. Visit koica.go.kr to learn more. 

About MEST 

Founded in Ghana in 2008, MEST trains African technology entrepreneurs in software development, business and communications, and provides seed funding and ongoing support to selected ventures. Visit www.meltwater.org to learn more. 

About the StartUp Lab 

Established in Accra in 2019, the StartUp Lab is a six-month accelerator for tech-enabled startups developing solutions for children and adolescents. 

The programme combines business incubation with UNICEF’s social-sector expertise to help ventures build sustainable, market-driven solutions in areas including education, health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, and child protection. 

To date, more than 100 startups have graduated from five cohorts, reaching over 250,000 children across Ghana. The initiative is supported through the UNICEF–KOICA partnership, “Accelerating Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Ghana,” funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea. For more information, visit The StartUp Lab.