The UNICEF StartUp Lab Accelerator Program is a dynamic initiative aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship to address pressing challenges facing children and youth around the world. Organized by UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, this accelerator program provides early-stage startups with the support, resources, and mentorship they need to scale their solutions and make a positive impact on the lives of children and families.
Through the StartUp Lab Accelerator Program, UNICEF seeks to identify and nurture innovative startups that are developing scalable and sustainable solutions in areas such as education, healthcare, nutrition, child protection, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and youth empowerment. These solutions may leverage cutting-edge technologies, business models, or social innovations to address complex challenges and improve outcomes for children and communities.
Selected startups participating in the UNICEF StartUp Lab Accelerator Program receive a range of support services tailored to their specific needs. This support may include access to funding, mentorship from industry experts and UNICEF staff, technical assistance, networking opportunities, and access to UNICEF’s global network of partners and resources.
The accelerator program typically culminates in a demo day or showcase event, where participating startups have the opportunity to pitch their solutions to potential investors, donors, and partners. This event provides a platform for startups to raise additional funding, forge strategic partnerships, and amplify the impact of their work.
The UNICEF StartUp Lab Accelerator Program plays a crucial role in catalyzing innovation and driving positive change for children and youth worldwide. By empowering startups to develop and scale impactful solutions, UNICEF is working to create a brighter future for the next generation, where every child has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.
Launched in 2019, the UNICEF StartUp Lab is a six-month accelerator program dedicated to supporting impactful startups and businesses striving to advance the Sustainable Development Goals for children and young people. Led by UNICEF in Ghana, the program receives support from KOICA and is implemented by MEST Africa. It offers a unique blend of intensive, hands-on business acceleration combined with extensive technical expertise and systems knowledge in the social sector, spearheaded by UNICEF experts in Education, Health & Nutrition, Social Policy & Protection, WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene), and Child Protection.
This accelerator program stands out for its comprehensive support services, providing participants with individual mentorship, access to a network of UN System partners, prototyping funding, and various other support mechanisms. It is meticulously designed to catalyze growth and innovation, specifically targeting impact-driven startups in Ghana with a technology-centric approach. Emphasizing social impact and product development, the program encourages the creation of open-source solutions aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The UNICEF StartUp Lab is geographically inclusive, welcoming diverse ventures from all regions of Ghana. It particularly focuses on empowering women-led businesses, aiming to foster gender equality and inclusivity within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through this program, UNICEF aims to support and amplify the efforts of startups that are dedicated to creating positive change for children and young people, ultimately contributing to the advancement of sustainable development in Ghana and beyond.
Eligibility Criteria For The UNICEF StartUp Lab Accelerator Program
- 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
Target Areas
- HealthTech
- EdTech
- UrbanTech
- Climate Action
- Child Protection
- FinTech
- WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene)
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
Application Deadline: February 29th, 2024.
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