UNICEF StartUp Lab officially launched its fifth accelerator cohort, welcoming 25 social impact, tech-enabled startups. These emerging ventures are focused on solving critical developmental challenges affecting children, adolescents, and communities across sectors such as education, healthcare, nutrition, climate resilience, water and sanitation, financial inclusion, and youth employment. The launch event demonstrated the rising dedication among Ghana’s youth to create lasting change through innovation and entrepreneurship.
A Collaborative Effort for Inclusive Growth
The UNICEF StartUp Lab was established in 2019 and is implemented by MEST Africa with support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). Operating under the initiative "KOICA-UNICEF Accelerating Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Ghana," the programme fosters social entrepreneurship through targeted technical and business development support. Over six months, participating startups will receive mentorship from UNICEF specialists and industry leaders to sharpen their market approach and increase their social impact.
Equipping Startups for Impact at Scale
This year’s cohort will engage in a structured curriculum that spans six venture-building modules, including product development, business modeling, financial management, and investor readiness. The programme is designed to enhance the capacity of startups to scale their innovations sustainably while driving measurable progress in development outcomes. With digital public goods (DPGs) as a key theme, the initiative also promotes the adoption of open-source technologies for scalable and inclusive development.
Endorsements from Programme Partners
KOICA’s Senior Deputy Country Director, Mr. Shinyoung Pyeon, emphasized the importance of empowering young people to lead change in a world facing economic inequality, climate threats, and digital disruption. He applauded the programme for supporting startups that are not only focused on profit but are deeply committed to purpose and social transformation. His remarks highlighted the role of innovation in creating new pathways for inclusive progress.
Supporting Change-Makers, Not Just Entrepreneurs
Echoing this sentiment, Fiachra McAsey, UNICEF’s Deputy Representative in Ghana, praised the entrepreneurial spirit of the cohort. He noted that the 25 selected startups are now part of a wider community of over 100 ventures that have been supported through the StartUp Lab to date. According to McAsey, the programme offers more than technical assistance—it fosters a network of changemakers ready to build scalable solutions that benefit children and young people across Ghana.
Financial and Investment Readiness Support
Each participating startup will receive a US$5,000 equity-free prototype grant, with an additional US$10,000 reserved for three high-performing ventures at the end of the programme. In parallel, startups will participate in MEST’s Investment Readiness Program, which helps founders prepare investor data rooms, improve pitch decks, and connect with a global network of over 100 funders. These hands-on engagements are designed to increase the ventures’ fundraising success and long-term viability.
Promoting Diversity and Regional Inclusion
The selection of the 25 startups followed a rigorous nine-week campaign that combined both online and offline outreach. The campaign emphasized gender diversity and regional inclusion, ensuring the selected ventures reflect Ghana’s broader social and geographic makeup. Startups will also benefit from implementing hubs located outside Accra, expanding opportunities for innovation beyond the capital city.
As the UNICEF StartUp Lab enters its fifth cohort, it continues to solidify its role as a launchpad for socially driven innovation in Ghana. The 25 startups now embarking on this six-month journey represent a new generation of founders committed to transforming challenges into opportunities for impact. With tailored support, access to funding, and a collaborative ecosystem, these young entrepreneurs are set to redefine what it means to build a business with purpose.