UNICEF StartUp Lab’s Post

I spoke at a panel on “Driving Inclusive Transitions,” about UNICEF’s work on #education and #reskilling for the #digitaleconomy and how we engage with social entrepreneurs at every stage of the #innovation pipeline through initiatives like UPSHIFT, ImaGen Ventures, BeGreen Africa, the Ventures Fund and Innovation30. We want to provide young people with the mindset, as well as the skillset, that they can be #socialentrepreneurs. It is critical that we identify, pilot and grow early-stage frontier tech for good with a focus on diverse entrepreneurs in emerging markets to accelerate results for those who have been systemically excluded, especially children.  And we cannot do this alone. Public-private-youth partnerships are crucial in enabling a more inclusive innovation ecosystem and aligning education with industry needs and providing practical experience.  UNICEF Innovation Generation Unlimited #AMNC24 #foreverychild

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟱 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗚𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗮! This year marks a major milestone for us at iValley Ghana—our 5th Anniversary! What began as a vision to ignite innovation and drive entrepreneurship in the Savannah Region has blossomed into a movement that empowers communities, uplifts entrepreneurs, and creates sustainable change. Over the past five years, we have: ◾ Supported over 500 MSMEs and startups through incubation and acceleration programs. ◾ Empowered hundreds of youth and women with digital skills. ◾ Launched transformative initiatives like STEM for Kids, iValley Cares, and our Agribusiness Accelerator Program. ◾ Built lasting partnerships with organizations that share our mission for a better Ghana. This milestone is a testament to the dedication of our incredible team, the trust of our partners, and the resilience of the communities we serve. As we look ahead, we remain committed to our mission: bridging the digital skills gap, fostering innovation, and enabling sustainable entrepreneurial growth. Here’s to the next five years of driving impact and transforming lives! #iValleyAt5 #EmpoweringEntrepreneurs #InnovationForGrowth #BuildingCommunities #TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork #5YearsOfImpact #SavannahRegion #Ghana #iValleyImpact #iValleyGhana

About three months ago, we embarked on an ambitious journey to develop a framework for identifying, supporting, and empowering grassroots innovations in Bangladesh. We consulted the existing literature on the subject, studied relevant works in countries like India, spoke with entrepreneurs, incubators and accelerators, teachers, development workers, trade unions, grassroots innovators, and experts, experimented with online calls to ideas, set up temporary local networks, and interviewed stakeholders and innovators. We encountered challenges, learned surprising new insights, and developed new realizations about grassroots innovations. In this post, we try to articulate what we have learned from that journey.

African youth startups face funding barriers due to limited tailored financing options and insufficient awareness of available resources. Traditional models overlook their innovative potential, hindering growth. Many startups lack knowledge of diverse funding sources, perpetuating underinvestment. To address this, concerted efforts must raise awareness, provide mentorship, and facilitate access to financing. Collaboration between funding institutions, government, and grassroots organizations is essential. Leveraging technology can democratize access to funding and knowledge resources. Bridging this gap is crucial for inclusive economic growth and youth empowerment. By empowering African youth entrepreneurs, we catalyze innovation and build a brighter future. Let's collaborate, innovate, and invest in the next generation of African startups for lasting impact and prosperity.

Foster Awintiti Akugri CEO of the HackLab Foundation Foster Awintiti Akugri is a computer scientist and process engineer by education, an entrepreneur by training, and a volunteer by passion. His 8 years of experience spans several fields including technology, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, innovation and policy design, community building, financial inclusion, business development, marketing, leadership, and more. In 2015 he founded the Hacklab Foundation, an international nonprofit organization headquartered in Ghana with a focus on preparing the youth for future digital jobs through technology education and skills development.Hacklab has also designed and implemented hackathons across 11 countries (Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia, South Africa, Cameroon, Madagascar, Uganda, Kenya, Mali, Malawi, and Ethiopia). The Foundation has directly impacted over 12,000 people. Foster currently serves as Head of Innovation at Old Mutual Ltd working closely with other business partners and players in the ecosystem to create new business models and commercial opportunities for Old Mutual. Prior to Old Mutual, he was the Head of Youth Banking & Stanbic Business Incubator, at Stanbic Bank Ghana, driving financial inclusion for the youth and advising startups and SMEs to become sustainable. In 2018, Foster was the youngest participant at the World Economic Forum’s 48th Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. #SustainableFinance #SFWF2024 #GreenEconomy #Financialinnovation #Sustainability #InclusiveGrowth #FutureOfFinance #Globallmpact #EcoFinance #FinanceForGood #impactinvesting #angelinvesting #Climatelnnovation #Sustainablelnvesting #responsibleinvesting #GreenFinance #ChangeTheWorld #ScalingImpact #ClimateAction #RenewableEnergy #CleanTech #Ecolnvesting #ImpactInvesting #ClimateTech #GreenEconomy #ESGInvesting #CarbonNeutral #InvestInFuture

Celebrating Honey Ogundeyi: A Trailblazing Entrepreneur Revolutionizing Education in Africa Honey Ogundeyi's journey is a testament to innovation, perseverance, and passion. From pioneering fashion e-commerce in Nigeria to driving fintech adoption as the founding CMO of Kuda, Africa's first digital bank, Honey has consistently pushed boundaries and defied conventions. Her latest venture, @edukoya , is a revolutionary ed-tech platform that has raised the bar for education in Africa. Edukoya is an ed-tech startup that raised $3.5 million in December 2021, which was the biggest pre-seed raise by an Ed-tech startup in Nigeria. Honey's success is not just about her impressive resume or her ability to attract investment. It's about her unwavering commitment to solving real problems, her courage to challenge the status quo, and her dedication to empowering others. As a leader, Honey embodies the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity that is driving Africa's tech revolution. Her story is a reminder that with hard work, determination, and a passion for impact, anything is possible. Join us in celebrating Honey Ogundeyi's remarkable journey and her tireless efforts to shape the future of education in Africa. Let's be inspired by her success and continue to support and celebrate trailblazing women like her who are transforming the continent! #tgpcnarrates #storytime #spotlight #edukoya #inovation #tech #education #trailblazer #Africanstory #breakingnews

AfriLabs and AU Launch Second Edition of Tech Fellowship Initiative to Drive Socio-Economic Development in Africa AfriLabs and the African Union (AU) have joined forces for the second edition of the AU Tech Fellowship initiative, aiming to amplify technology and innovation's role in advancing socio-economic development across Africa. With over 430 members, AfriLabs serves as a catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship by uniting technology hubs, startups, investors, and key stakeholders. The AU, representing 55 member states, envisions an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa propelled by its citizens. The AU Tech Fellowship builds upon the AU's endorsement of the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (DTS), aligning with its goals of leveraging digital technologies for integration, economic growth, job creation, and poverty eradication. This initiative embeds highly skilled tech innovators within AU units to identify challenges and propose innovative solutions, yielding notable outcomes such as 12 innovative products and the launch of the African Union digital portal. By fostering closer collaboration between the AU and Africa's innovation ecosystem, the fellowship enhances both internal capacity and service delivery, advancing the AU's mandate. #digitalnews #technews #tech #startup

What a year it has been! So unbelievable, the crazy things we did in faith with no clue on what tomorrow will be, with absolutely no clue on what the impact or scale it will reach. I am glad I did step out in faith nonetheless. I deepened my support for founders this year 2024. Strengthening my core beliefs around how founders in Africa should be supported. What should be prioritized above all else - Startup Education. Beyond the numbers (2500+ students from 30+ countries at SDC Startup School, 300+ monthly attendees at Founders Friday), this year proved something powerful: African founders don't need more hype—they need practical education and real community. Key milestones that mattered: 🚀 Expanded Founders Friday from Abuja to Kaduna, bringing startup community to underserved cities 🚀 Transformed SDC Startup School from live classes to self-paced learning, making startup education more accessible 🚀 Closely mentored 45 founders through SDC Launchpad across top 4 industries in 4 cities across the world in Africa 🚀 Co-created one of Africa Largest Tech events Africa Technology Expo & Africa Startup Festival with a combined attendance of over 8000 people 🚀 Worked with a number of incubators, accelerators, pitchathon & hackathon programs organized by Co-creation HUB (CcHUB) , PipeOps (Accelerate Africa '24) , Arewa Tech Fest, Wema Bank Plc. National Agency for Science & Engineering Infrastructure - NASENI , Futurize and many more. Either facilitating sessions or serving as a startup advisor or helping design a robust program for thier cohort. Two major insights to take from the year 2024! African startups need a new funding and education model, not imported Silicon Valley approaches Startups need to stop getting overly excited about sign-ups..." It’s not a good indicator of a success, it is instead a reflection of PSF and not PMF - Learn more SDC Startup School 2025 is about deepening our impact: expanding SDC Startup School's reach, strengthening founder communities across more African cities through Founders Friday and The Enablers Foundation - connecting more startups to practical opportunities for growth. To every confused, scared, or anxious founder out there: You don't have to figure it out alone. There's a network of friendly experts and guides here ready to support your journey. You can sign up at - https://lnkd.in/dbMYbQ6N #StartupEducation #AfricanStartups #2024Wrapped

Reflections on Tanzania Startup Week I am thrilled to have received my certificate of attendance for Tanzania Startup Week! This event has been a remarkable journey filled with knowledge, inspiration, and connections. Here are some key lessons I learned and thoughts on the way forward: Collaboration is Key   -Building partnerships with government bodies, educational institutions, and industry leaders is crucial for success. Collaborative efforts can provide resources, mentorship, and access to opportunities. Embrace Innovation -The importance of innovation cannot be overstated. Embracing new technologies and creative solutions can set startups apart in a competitive landscape. Understand Public Procurement   - Navigating public procurement processes can open doors for startups. ---Understanding how to engage with government contracts is vital for growth and sustainability. Continual Learning - The entrepreneurial journey is a constant learning process. Staying updated with market trends, skills, and best practices is essential for success. Networking Matters     - The connections made during the event are invaluable. Networking with like-minded individuals and industry experts can lead to collaborations and new opportunities. As we move forward, Iets all plan to: - Continuously enhance my skills and knowledge through workshops and courses. - Engage in community initiatives that promote entrepreneurship among youth. - Explore opportunities in public procurement and governmental support programs. To all young individuals with aspirations, remember: -Believe in Yourself: Your ideas and passions matter. Don’t hesitate to pursue them. -Stay Curious: Embrace learning, seek mentorship, and be open to feedback. -Take Risks: Fear of failure can hold you back. Embrace risks as opportunities for growth. -Network Actively: Build relationships with peers and mentors who can support your journey. -Give Back: Share your knowledge and experiences with others to foster a supportive community. Let’s harness our creativity and ambition to drive positive change and innovation in Tanzania! Together, we can build a brighter future. Tanzania Startup WeekTanzania Startup AssociationRidhiwani KikweteZahoro MuhajiDr. Jabhera MatogoroMinistry of Finance-TanzaniaTanzania Investment CentreSahara VenturesPrime Minister's Youth ProgrammePrime Minister's Office - LYED Ofisi ya Waziri Mkuu - Kazi #TSW2024 #Startupweek #StartupsInTanzania #StartupInvestmentForum2024 #TanzaniaStartupEcosystem

Beyond The Noise Preview - Kenya 🇰🇪  Snapshot 🔎 DID YOU KNOW the share of funding to startups with women-only founders in Kenya remained more resilient (10-20%) than in South Africa and Nigeria (under 5%)? In our upcoming report on the gender funding gap, A Roadmap to Addressing the Gender Funding Gap in Africa’s Startup Ecosystem, developed in partnership with V54 Open Impact, the non-profit arm of Ventures 54, women’s funding in Kenya shows a relatively better representation than in Nigeria and South Africa. Here are other key insights on the gender funding gap in Kenya: 🟨 Women-only startups in Kenya raised 12% of the total funding - this is nearly 10 times higher than the rate observed in Nigeria and South Africa. While the share of deals involving mixed founding teams in Kenya has fluctuated over time, we saw growing support for diverse teams in 2023 as the share of deals jumped to 44%. 🟨 In contrast to the other two countries, women-only founders in Kenya take slightly less time to raise their first funding than mixed and men-led startups. However, many of the disclosed deals by women are at the early stage, primarily made up of incubator and pre-seed funding with over 50% of the funding coming from grants. 🟨 Many women-only startups primarily operate within the health and agtech sectors and key funders investing in them include Incubators/Accelerators and NGOs. The project, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office via the UK-Kenya Tech Hub, UK-Nigeria Tech Hub and UK South Africa Tech Hub Africa to unpack the drivers of the gender gap in access to funding for startups in Africa and identify new solutions to address it. A big thank you to all of the incredible participants who contributed to our research working group roundtable in Kenya including Thea Sokolowski Rosanne Whalley Mike Mompi Mia von Koschitzky-Kimani Victor Wambua Joyce Mbaya Jihan Abass Maryanne Ochola Enos Masinde Weswa 👉 To learn more about the project and pre-register for the report, click the link here: https://lnkd.in/d3sh4fGq 🎟️ To learn more about the Women Who Build Africa Assembly and reserve your spot click the link here: https://lnkd.in/dAuQTYUE #BeyondTheNoise #WomenEntrepreneurs #InvestingInWomen #Africa