UNICEF StartUp Lab

About the program

UNICEF StartUp Lab is an accelerator programme for impactful businesses working to advance the SDGs for children and young people. The programme is led by UNICEF in Ghana, supported by KOICA and implemented by MEST Africa.

The StartUp Lab aims to enhance the business, technological, and communication skills of participating entrepreneurs, and advise on the product-problem fit of their social impact, tech-driven solutions. It delivers a six-month curriculum to startups through intensive bootcamps in Accra, known as Work Weeks, as well as incubation hosted at partner hubs, mentorship, and virtual learning sessions.

UNICEF StartUp Lab provides a unique product by integrating business incubation and wide-reaching technical expertise and systems knowledge in the social sector, amplified by the reach of UNICEF’s and KOICA’s partnerships. While participating in the programme you will interact with UNICEF and KOICA programme experts, and learn about supporting tools available from United Nations agencies.

By participating in the UNICEF StartUp Lab you ensure that your impact-focused business is aligned with existing development needs and gain access to networks that can support your work.

The UNICEF StartUp Lab is supported under the “KOICA-UNICEF Accelerating Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Ghana Project”.

Key benefits

Eligibility criteria

• 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 program is designed to include startups from all regions of Ghana