Terms & Conditions

Access to a fully funded bootcamp in Accra, Ghana

Up to 20 teams will participate in an intensive 4-day bootcamp in Accra, Ghana, featuring farm field visit, business mentorship, and pitch training. The bootcamp will help participants deeply understand the Ghana agriculture ecosystem, and its links with the textile ecosystem, including pain points and opportunities, through direct engagement with farmers, agribusinesses, and industry experts. The last day of the bootcamp will be dedicated to a pitch session in front of a Selection Committee which will gather institutional partners, scientists, private companies and investors to select up to 15 innovation teams who will join a 3-month acceleration program.

Build a strategic connection with agribusinesses and ecosystem players in Ghana and beyond

Bootcamp participants will connect with a strong network of local and international project partners including research institutions, investors, private sector actors and international events (Macfrut, Ecomondo*). This engagement will open doors to market insights, collaboration opportunities, and partnerships with agri-food corporates operating in Ghana. These interactions can lead to credibility to innovations and foster pathways toward commercialization and scale.

Gain entry to a sponsored 3-month accelerator program

Up to 15 teams will be admitted to a sponsored acceleration program, a 3-month structured pathway combining intensive bootcamps in the Volta region, field coaching, technical assistance, and investor engagement. The program will consist of 5 pillars: 1) Social & Environmental pillar to refine the business idea and ensure its potential for impact; 2) Business Model pillar to design and test the business model; 3) Go To Market pillar to develop a marketing strategy, test the model in, and adjust it to, the market; 4) Financial Model pillar to develop a financial analysis and adjust the business model to it; and 5) Investor’s pillar to design a pitch and present the business model to investors. Each pillar is composed of: - A 2-day in-person bootcamp - A presentation to stakeholders and investors at the end of each bootcamp; - A 2-week distance learning to: o Delve into key concepts and tools, including technical modules on circular economy and the links between textile and agriculture o Individual work to carry out assignments consisting of applying the tools for testing the business model. o Individual coaching and mentoring sessions to support in implementing the tools.

Benefit from UNIDO’s expertise in circular economy

Participants will access UNIDO circular economy-specific modules on textile waste processing (biochar, compost, hydrolysates, absorbent pellets). UNIDO will also support the project by conducting a feasibility study on textile waste recovery value chains, assessing opportunities to integrate recycled textile inputs into the agricultural sector.

Technical assistance from CGIAR scientists

Teams will receive tailored technical support from CGIAR scientists with expertise in their focus area. In addition to the group workshops on scaling strategies, each team will be matched with CGIAR scientists to help validate the scientific basis of their solution and refine it based on field realities.

Connect with investors and commercial partners

Teams will gain exposure to regional investors, venture capital firms, and agri-tech accelerators through curated investor meetups, pitch events, and networking opportunities. This visibility aims to increase the likelihood of securing follow-on funding and long-term commercial partnerships. Pilot testing with farmers from Ghana and end-users Participants will benefit from facilitated access to real-world testing environments, including farms, cooperatives, or local agribusinesses. Pilot opportunities will enable startups to gather user feedback, validate product-market fit, and explore routes to market expansion in Ghana and beyond.

Post-accelerator support

Graduating teams will continue to be part of the Accelerate for Impact Platform’s startup portfolio, gaining ongoing strategic mentorship, facilitated connections to partners and access to CGIAR’s innovation platforms and scientific infrastructure. E4Impact may offer some alumni of the acceleration program access to a full 18-month programme leading to an accredited MBA degree. Criteria and conditions to access the MBA will be defined during implementation.