Kosmos Innovation Center holds final pitch for 2023 AgriTech Challenge competition

The final pitch for the 2023 AgriTech Challenge Classic competition organised by Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) is currently underway at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA).

The competition being held between December 18 and 19, would see about 50 business startups from 10 regions of the country pitch their business ideas to a panel of experts known in the competition as the ideation team.

The winners would join the cohort for the 2024 AgriTech Challenge Pro event which kicks off from January next year.

Empowering young people

At the opening of the 2023 AgriTech Challenge Classic Final Pitch in Accra on December 18, the Board Chair of KIC, Joe Mensah, stated that the AgriTech Challenge was designed to build and empower young people to create change and transformation.

He said the long-term vision of KIC was to see young people thrive and build entrepreneurial skills to create lasting change in society.

“Today’s event marks the culmination of months of preparation, dedication, innovation, and hard work from the formidable young people that have participated in this programme.

“In the heart of the AgriTech Challenge Classic, we witness a convergence of talent, creativity, and a shared vision for a sustainable future.

“Agriculture is not merely an industry; it is a vital sector that connects us all. It is the very fabric of our societies, providing sustenance, livelihoods, and a foundation for growth,” he said.

Mr Mensah explained that as pitches being listen today, let participants not only evaluate the technical aspects and commercial viability of the projects but also appreciate the potential they hold to make a lasting impact on the agricultural landscape.

He said “the ideas we encounter today could very well be the catalysts for transformative change in the way we cultivate, harvest, and distribute our food.

“I also take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the participants, faculty advisors, ideation team and all the teams that have prepared these young people to embark on this journey. 

“Our commitment to driving innovation in agriculture is not only commendable but also vital for the future of our communities and the world.”

Scale-up programme

The Executive Director of KIC, Benjamin Gyna-Kesse, stated that at the end of this competition, 20 teams would be selected to move onto the AgriTech Challenge Pro, which was a scale-up programme, business coaching and investor readiness programme.

He said each team would receive $2,000, and would join 20 other teams that have been newly accepted into the AgriTech Challenge Pro.

He said the AgriTech Challenge Classic was not just a competition; rather a celebration of the audacity to dream, the courage to innovate, and the commitment to a better, more sustainable future.

“We are proud of the growth journey of each of the teams. We acknowledge Mastercard Foundation for the multi-year partnership that has enabled us scale-up to five universities for last year, and to five additional universities for this year’s competition.

“Next year, through the partnership, KIC is looking to expand to five more universities to make the programme accessible to students from across the countries,” he added.