UNICEF Ghana has selected 20 growth-stage, tech-driven social impact startups for the sixth cohort of its Start-up Lab programme.
The chosen ventures are developing innovative solutions to tackle key challenges affecting children and young people in areas such as education, health, nutrition, climate action, and financial inclusion.
Launched in 2019, the initiative is supported by the Government of the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency and implemented by MEST Africa.
Over the next six months, participating startups will undergo an intensive venture-building programme, working closely with UNICEF experts and industry professionals to refine their products, strengthen their business models, and position themselves for global investment opportunities, including the UNICEF Innovation Fund and Digital Public Goods ecosystem.
Christin Lucille McConnell, Chief of Education at UNICEF Ghana, praised the cohort, noting that the startups demonstrate the innovation and dedication needed to address pressing issues affecting children, while also offering potential for scale.
Since its inception, the programme has supported more than 100 startups, collectively impacting over 250,000 children and youth. Each startup in the current cohort will receive an equity-free prototype grant of GHS 65,000, with three top-performing ventures eligible for an additional GHS 165,000 through the Scale-up Fund.
Representing the Korean government, Shinyoung Pyeon highlighted that KOICA has invested $2.2 million in the initiative over the past five years, emphasising the role of innovation and entrepreneurship in driving sustainable development.
The 2026 cohort is heavily focused on EdTech, which makes up 40% of the startups, alongside others operating in FinTech, agriculture, and climate sectors. While half of the participants are based in Greater Accra, the group also includes startups from regions such as Western, Northern, and Upper East, reflecting broader national representation.
Source: 3news
