Node Eight Partners with UNDP to launch the SDGs Innovation Incubator

Ghana’s startup ecosystem in recent years has seen tremendous growth. As part of the increased adoption of innovative solutions to solve Africa’s problems, some startups have focused their business models on addressing Sustainable Development Goals. Due to the global 2030 agenda of the SDGs, Ghana has doubled its efforts in supporting and advocating for entrepreneurs and businesses that are SDGs oriented for growth.

SDGs Innovation Challenge

Decentralizing these efforts to all parts of the country has become critical to their long-term viability and thoroughness. Due to increased advocacy for SDGs implementation, Node Eight, in collaboration with the SDGs Advisory Unit of the Office of the President, Ho Technical University, National Lottery Authority, and Association of Ghana Industries, hosted an SDGs Innovation Challenge for startups solving these problems during the SDGs Day Out Event Ho Edition in March, which was attended by dignitaries from the public and private sectors from across the country at the G.M Afeti Auditorium of the Ho Technical University.

Emblem Farms, WASH Advancement Centre, and ViztaEdu were victorious through a keenly contested pitch contest between ten (10) startups to win the cash prize of up to 45000 Ghana Cedis and incubation for their startups.

THE STARTUPS

ViztaEdu tackling SDG goal four is a social media-based educational app that allows students at tertiary levels to learn with their friends worldwide by creating and having access to course-specific audio-visuals on educationally relevant content.

Ehmblehm Farms tackling SDG goals two and eight runs a 500-bird capacity poultry production sequence at Kpone Katamanso in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The farm is founded to help meet Ghana’s supply shortfall of an annual 250 million dollars worth of poultry meat. Ehmblehm Farms plans to expand its production to Ho in the Volta Region.

WASH Advancement Centre, taking on SDG goals six and seven, is a social enterprise founded to embark on a series of programs geared toward providing solutions to water scarcity, sanitation, and hygiene challenges. iWAC tackles WASH challenges in rural communities using an entrepreneurial approach to provide clean water and sanitation services while creating jobs.

Innovation

The integrated approach is used to develop WAC’s innovative solution. Bringing various technologies together to solve a community’s water and sanitation crisis holistically. • The development of a micro flush bio-digester toilet with a rainwater harvesting system and solar-powered lighting.
• Building a solar-powered potable water supply system (borehole)
• Raising awareness and capacity through:

i. Community fora – sensitizing residents through public discourse, music, and drama in the local dialect.
ii. Educating young people in the management and construction of small water systems.
After the first year of operation, this green solution is self-sustaining and scalable, and it can be extended to other needy communities with limited external assistance.

SDGs Incubator

Node Eight, with its partners, has commenced the SDG Incubation Program for these startups. The SDG Incubation Program is a six-month incubation program that seeks to facilitate the growth of startups investing in solving problems related to the Sustainable Development Goals. The curriculum is a designed framework aimed at supporting the selected startups to grow their businesses. Growth ranges from the acquisition of customers, increase in revenue, and partnerships to expanding beyond the catchment areas of the ventures. The incubation program aims to accelerate the growth of startups by providing funding, training, and coaching.

The effort to promote and contribute to the growth of startups to achieve global goals will always be at the heart of our operations here at Node Eight.