The programme is led by UNICEF in Ghana, supported by KOICA and implemented by MEST Africa. It provides a unique service by integrating an intense, hands-on business acceleration through wide-reaching technical expertise and systems knowledge in the social sector, led by the UNICEF experts in Education, Health & Nutrition, Social Policy & Protection, WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene), and Child Protection. The participants have access to individual mentorship, network of UN System partners, prototyping funding, and many other support mechanisms.
Key Focus Areas:
- Technology
- Sustainable Entrepreneurship
- Social Impact
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Benefits
- Funding: Each startup receives up to GHS 32,000 for product development
- Investment: Global funding opportunities including UNICEF Venture Fund
- Partnerships: Access to a wide network of UN System partners
- Growth: Intense, hands-on practical business acceleration
- Knowledge: Direct access to resources and social sector programme experts
- Resources: Technology perks for participating startups
Eligibility of UNICEF StartUp Lab 2024
Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria to apply:
- Your startup has been operational for 1+ year
- Your startup is a registered business
- Your startup has technology as the core enabler of the business
- Your startup has a business model with a social impact that addresses at least one of the Sustainable Development Goals
- Open-source solutions, or startups that are willing to open-source their solutions, are particularly encouraged to apply
- Startups with female founders/co-founders are encouraged to apply
- The program is designed to include startups located in all regions of Ghana
- Startups related to Health Tech, EdTech, Urban Tech, Climate Action, Fintech and WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) are strongly encouraged to apply.
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Application for UNICEF StartUp Lab 2024
They are seeking 5 startups each from the Northern, Eastern, Western and Southern regions of Ghana, for a complete cohort of 25 participants.