UNU/INRA 2024 INFoCAT Innovation Challenge for African Entrepreneurs for Course

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible innovators or enterprises must be based in Ghana.
• Complete application form with business details and full description of the innovation.
• Agritech technology must be powered by clean energy and must demonstrate energy efficiency.
• Technology must meet the needs ofsmall to medium-scale holder rural farmers in the priority crop areas (rice, maize, cassava, and groundnut).
• Technology use must require less human (manual) labour and time.
• Technology must be cost-effective and have clear commercial potential, be easy to operate and scalable.
• Demonstrate a solution that reduces CO2 emissions.
• Teamwork is highly recommended (including members with diverse backgrounds). The team must demonstrate gender intersectionality with inclusion of women.
• Priority will be given to women and youth innovators.
• Clean energy supply - the innovation should have the potential to be used to power both agricultural technologies and other use. This will be an added advantage. 
• Demonstration of a working prototype (NB: There is room for new technology yet to be designed).

Offered Benefits

The objectives of the Innovation challenge are to:

• Support the development and expansion of affordable, labour-saving, clean energy agricultural technology solutions to save time and reduce drudgery.
• Support clean energy agriculture technology start-ups with a focus on women-led enterprises and where possible, refine and expand their products to meet the needs of smallholder rural farmers and
• Create avenues for mentorship, access to networking and training.

Grant

• Pilot grant: USD 3,000 -7,400 (grant available for about 10 innovations/ teams/ enterprise)
• Business Scale-up grant support: USD 30,000 – 37,000 (1 innovation/team)

Application Process