If your startup is building technology with real social impact, the UNICEF StartUp Lab offers a six-month accelerator tailored for ventures dedicated to improving children’s lives and advancing sustainable development. This is a chance for startups to boost their capabilities, secure funding, and gain entry into networks that matter.
Based in Accra, Ghana, UNICEF’s StartUp Lab has operated since 2019 and is implemented in partnership with organizations such as MEST Africa and supported by KOICA.
Over its cohorts, the program has selected 25 startups per intake and helped them refine their business models, strengthen solutions, and gain exposure to UNICEF’s global network. For example, the 2024 cohort of 25 startups spanned sectors including health, agri-tech, ed-tech, and WASH (water, sanitation & hygiene).
For a founder in Africa seeking to scale a social impact startup, this offers:
Structured mentorship from UNICEF and industry specialists
Access to funding for prototyping and scale-up (e.g., GHS 75,000 and GHS 150,000 in earlier calls)
Potential pathway to global recognition as a Digital Public Good (DPG) if your solution is open-source and scalable
Access to a network of stakeholders: investors, partners, programmes of UNICEF across health, education, WASH, etc
Program Benefits
Prototyping funding support (historically ~GHS 75,000) and scale-up support for select startups (historically ~GHS 150,000) (UNICEF)
Six-month accelerator journey: intensive support, curriculum, mentorship, and exposure to market/impact networks
Technical and business assistance: refining your solution, clarifying impact metrics, improving business model
Access to UNICEF’s programs and ecosystem: leverage their reach and credibility
Opportunity to build or adapt your tool as an open-source Digital Public Good (DPG), making your impact scalable and shareable globally
Eligibility
To apply, you’ll need:
A registered startup (business entity) in Ghana, not an NGO or individual venture.
Technology must be a core enabler of your business model.
At least one year of operational runtime (i.e., startup is not a pure idea).
A business model with measurable social impact that aligns with at least one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Preference is given to startups that are open-source (or willing to open-source) their solution, and to those with female founders/co-founders.
The startup must be based in Ghana and able to participate in the full program (on-site/remote as specified).
Duration
Six-month accelerator program.
Tips or FAQs: Guidance for Applicants
Prepare your pitch: Clearly articulate the problem you are solving, the solution you’ve developed, your target users, and how you measure impact.
Demonstrate traction: If your startup already has users, revenue, or a pilot, include that information. If you are earlier stage, show a clear roadmap and how you will validate your solution.
Be technology-centric: Since the accelerator emphasizes tech-enabled solutions (incl. AI/ML, frontier tech), show how technology drives your business and enables impact.
Think open-source and scalability: If you are willing or able to open-source your solution, highlight how others could adopt or adapt it. This is a plus.
Highlight gender and inclusivity: If you have female leadership or design your solution for underserved groups (children, youth, girls, vulnerable populations), reflect this.
Avoid vague claims: Instead of saying “we will change the education industry”, specify the cohort you target, the metric of improvement, and the plan to scale.
Read the documents carefully: Ensure your startup meets the operational and registration criteria (e.g., >1 year, registered business, Ghana-based). Failure to meet eligibility can disqualify.
Timely submission and complete documentation: Confirm the official deadline, prepare your application in advance (pitch deck, business model, registration documents), and ensure you follow instructions exactly.
Use networks and mentorship early: Even before being selected, consider reaching out to past alumni or networks from the accelerator; that can help polish your application and readiness.
