Innovating for children and young people

UNICEF StartUp Lab, launched in 2019, is a six-month accelerator programme for impactful startups and businesses working to advance the Sustainable Development Goals for children and young people.

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.

Programme Overview

Designed to catalyze growth and innovation, our programme targets impact-driven startups in Ghana with a technology-centric approach. Aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals, it emphasizes social impact and product development, fostering open-source solutions. Geographically inclusive, it warmly welcomes diverse ventures from all regions of Ghana, with a particular focus on empowering women-led businesses.

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

Digital Public Goods

The UNICEF StartUp Lab has been enhancing the capacity of participating startups in open-source technology with the goal of supporting the creation of digital public goods that can contribute to making the world a better place.

Endorsed by the UN Secretary General’s Roadmap for Digital Cooperation, the DPGA defines digital public goods as: “open source software, open data, open AI models, open standards and open content that adhere to privacy and other applicable laws and best practices, do no harm, and help attain the SDGs.”

Eligibility

Your startup has been operational for 1+ year
Your startup is a registered business in Ghana (no NGOs, foundations, or individuals)
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 programme is designed to include startups from 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