Accra, Ghana – 7th July 2025 – 25 social impact tech-enabled startups were welcomed into the 5th cohort of the UNICEF StartUp Lab accelerator programme.

These social impact startups are addressing critical challenges affecting children, adolescents, and communities, in areas including education, health, nutrition, WASH, climate action, financial inclusion, and youth employment.

The opening session of Cohort 5 highlighted the strong commitment of young Ghanaian entrepreneurs to tackle development challenges through practical, innovative solutions.

About The Programme

The UNICEF StartUp Lab accelerator programme, established by UNICEF in 2019, is implemented by MEST Africa and supported by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), under the project titled “KOICA-UNICEF Accelerating Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Ghana.”

Over the next six months, startups will engage with UNICEF technical specialists and industry experts to refine products and services, strengthen their business models, and deepen their understanding of market dynamics to enhance their reach and social impact.

The programme also plays a key role in accelerating the discovery and adoption of Digital Public Goods (DPGs) as open-source innovations for sustainable development.

What They’re Saying

Mr. Shinyoung Pyeon, Senior Deputy Country Director, KOICA, stated that KOICA strongly believes in the transformative power of young people to shape the future. In the face of complex global challenges such as climate change, economic inequality, and digital disruption, it is the bold ideas and resilient spirit of startups like yours that give us hope.

“Through this partnership with UNICEF and MEST, we are proud to support a platform that does not merely nurture businesses but nurtures change-makers for social impact. Entrepreneurs who are not just profit-driven, but purpose-driven. Innovators who see solutions where others see obstacles.”

Fiachra McAsey, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Ghana added, “We’re proud to welcome another 25of Ghana’s top startups into the UNICEF StartUp Lab accelerator. Our 5th cohort perfectly captures the innovation and drive of Ghana’s young entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The 25 companies join a community of over 100 startups and changemakers actively working to address critical challenges affecting children, young people, and their families today in Ghana.

Over the next six months, we will work closely with these individuals to connect them to the best technical experts in their fields, to industry leaders and to potential investors to help strengthen their business, refine their products and services, and deepen their understanding of the programme context so that they can extend their reach and maximise their impact for children and young people.”

Program Structure

Participating startups will complete a carefully designed curriculum, comprising six structured venture-building modules covering diligence, product development, business modelling, finance and unit economics, marketing and communications, and investor readiness.

Startups selected for the programme will receive equity-free prototype grants amounting to US$5,000, with an additional US$10,000 awarded to three standout ventures.

Startups will also benefit from MEST’s Investment Readiness Program, which includes hands-on support to prepare investor data rooms, refine pitch decks, and shortlist aligned investors from a curated database of over 100 global funders.

Workshops and direct engagements with investors will further expose founders to various investment types and strategies, with some implementing hubs located outside Accra to promote geographic inclusivity.

The engagement of the 25 startups concluded a rigorous nine-week sourcing campaign, combining online and offline outreach. The campaign prioritised gender diversity and regional inclusion. The selection process included application screening, panel interviews with representatives from UNICEF, KOICA, and MEST, diligence visits, and onboarding activities.

Participating Startups

The 25 participating startups for the 5th cohort of the UNICEF StartUp Lab are:

  • Arnson Innovate, through its flagship AITK Robotics program, delivers hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics robotics education to children aged 6–17. By fostering creativity, critical thinking, and tech literacy, the startup is nurturing the next generation of digital innovators across Ghana.
  • Booksie is reimagining literacy through interactive learning tools that promote reading for pleasure. With a strong foundation in child-centered pedagogy, the platform blends in-person and digital instruction to enhance reading skills and academic outcomes.
  • Green Ecoworks transforms plastic waste into durable panels used for building furniture in schools and community centres—supporting sustainability, child-friendly infrastructure, and environmental awareness.
  • NutriScan aims to empower frontline workers with AI-enabled tools to detect malnutrition in young children. By ensuring timely diagnosis and care, it helps save lives and strengthen early childhood health systems.
  • Washking builds smart biodigester toilets using a micro-leasing model. Through hygiene education and incentives, it improves sanitation access for families—reducing health risks for children.
  • ERA AXIS introduces electronics, coding, and 3D design to underserved youth, turning them into creators and future entrepreneurs while promoting innovation in education.
  • MingoBlox delivers inclusive robotics and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education to children aged 5–18, including those in underserved communities. Through hands-on learning and teacher engagement, it’s equipping the next generation with essential skills for a digital future.
  • Greenearth Agro is a tech-enabled farming platform promoting regenerative agriculture and AI-driven crop planning. By improving farm yields and rural incomes, it enhances food security for families and children in Ghana.
  • Crafted Climate leverages AI and IoT to provide air quality data to schools, communities, and policymakers. This data helps protect children from pollution while building environmental consciousness among youth.
  • Farmitecture introduces vertical farming systems tailored for homes, schools, and youth centres. It teaches children aged 10–24 about nutrition, sustainability, and urban agriculture through practical, space-saving food production.
  • Mckingtorch Africa drives environmental innovation by turning plastic waste into educational infrastructure while training youth in sustainable practices—creating green jobs and enhancing school environments.
  • Edu3Dcation Ghana pioneers the use of immersive 3D technologies in classrooms. By offering creative, hands-on learning, it nurtures innovation and digital literacy in students aged 7–15.
  • AutoEase Wheelchairs designs affordable, motorized wheelchairs that improve mobility for children and youth with physical disabilities. The startup enhances access to education, care, and independence for low-income families.
  • Agricom Assurance uses predictive AI to offer agricultural insurance that shields smallholder farmers from climate risks—safeguarding income, food availability, and child nutrition.
  • Sol Research Centre uses drones and AI to map and restore degraded soils, enhancing crop production and climate resilience—benefiting children’s nutrition in affected regions.
  • iKolilu is an AI-based school management platform that improves administrative efficiency and student learning outcomes by streamlining communication between schools, parents, and teachers.
  • Verte Tower develops AI-powered vertical farms that optimize yields in small urban spaces. The innovation addresses food insecurity and supports better nutrition for families and schools.
  • QKnow EdTech is transforming learning with its AI-driven exam prep tools that simulate test environments. It supports inclusive education and boosts academic performance for students of all backgrounds.
  • Enabled Talent is building an AI-powered platform connecting youth with disabilities to inclusive employment. Its smart matching and assistive features promote digital inclusion and economic empowerment.
  • LocaleNLP develops AI tools like speech-to-text and machine translation for African languages. Its technology improves learning and access to information for people in low-resource, multilingual regions. The startup is focusing on languages like Wolof, Swahili, Bambara, and Darija. The startup aims to empower sectors like education, healthcare, and agriculture by providing accessible and inclusive digital solutions, especially in regions with limited internet connectivity.
  • DrDoGood connects rural families to healthcare specialists through a digital platform with AI-enhanced records and predictive analytics, closing the access gap for children’s health services.
  • Organized Khaos Studios develops culturally relevant educational games that promote storytelling, digital skills, and creative learning for African children aged 9–18.
  • Speso Technologies builds inclusive fintech tools that empower young people with financial literacy and payment access—bridging the gap in youth-focused digital infrastructure.
  • TTYM Global (Talk To Your Midwife) improves access to maternal and adolescent health services through a mobile app and localized care points, ensuring girls and young women receive consistent, informed, and respectful healthcare.
  • Tellmonifa is a mental health platform that connects young people to licensed therapists, self-help tools, and peer support—offering a safe, digital space for healing and mental resilience.

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