The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) are now accepting applications for the fifth edition of their joint Startup Lab Accelerator Program in Ghana.
The initiative, which closes on May 15, 2025, targets early-stage ventures developing solutions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those addressing challenges faced by children and young people.
Over six months, selected startups will receive mentorship from UNICEF experts across sectors such as health, education, and climate resilience, alongside technical training and access to the agency’s global network. Participants may also engage with KOICA’s Ghana office and compete for prototyping grants of up to GHS75,000. Three top-performing ventures will qualify for additional scale-up funding of GHS150,000 and a pathway to recognition as UN-certified Digital Public Goods, enabling integration into international development frameworks.
A joint statement from the organizations highlighted a focus on gender inclusivity, urging women-led startups to apply. The program builds on four previous cohorts that supported over 60 Ghanaian ventures, including digital education platforms and renewable energy projects, with several expanding regionally and securing follow-on investments.
The initiative reflects a broader strategy to harness local innovation for SDG progress in regions grappling with climate vulnerabilities and resource disparities. By prioritizing scalable solutions, the partnership aims to strengthen ties between grassroots entrepreneurs and global sustainability agendas. Such programs have gained traction as tools for equitable development, with experts noting their potential to address systemic gaps while fostering economic resilience. Recent data from the African Tech Startup Ecosystem Report underscores a 22% annual growth in accelerator-backed ventures across the continent since 2020, signaling shifting priorities toward homegrown, impact-driven innovation.
Applications are available through the program’s official portal until the 2025 deadline.
