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List of Incubators and Accelerators in Ghana
Exploring the Key Innovation Hubs and Accelerators Shaping Ghana's Startup Ecosystem
Ghana's vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem has become a hub for innovation and economic growth across Africa. With a focus on technology, climate solutions, and youth empowerment, a wide range of innovation hubs and accelerators are helping entrepreneurs turn ideas into scalable ventures. From the Ghana Climate Innovation Centre's climate-smart solutions to hubs like MEST and the Kosmos Innovation Center empowering young entrepreneurs, these organizations play a critical role in fostering growth in diverse sectors. In this article, we explore the most active and impactful innovation centers, accelerators, and incubators driving Ghana’s startup scene and contributing to the country’s dynamic venture capital landscape.
Ghana Climate Innovation Center
The Ghana Climate Innovation Centre (GCIC), established in 2016 by Ashesi University, supports Ghanaian entrepreneurs developing climate change solutions. GCIC offers business training, financial grants, and access to industry experts in sectors like climate-smart agriculture, energy efficiency, solar power, water management, and waste management. Its programs help scale sustainable innovations, contributing to Ghana's green economy and promoting women’s economic empowerment.
Ghana Innovation Hub
The Ghana Innovation Hub supports entrepreneurs from ideation to acceleration, offering co-working spaces, business development services, and investment matchmaking. It provides workshops, incubation programs, and accelerator support to help businesses refine their models and scale. The Hub also offers ecosystem training and tools for entrepreneurs. Established by BlueSpace Africa and Ghana Communication Technology University, it fosters innovation in Ghana’s tech ecosystem.
Ghana Tech Lab
Ghana Tech Lab is an innovation hub focused on transforming ideas into impactful startups. It offers a range of programs, including technical incubation, entrepreneurship training, and prototyping, to help individuals and organizations develop sustainable ventures. With specialized labs in AI, Blockchain, Robotics, Cybersecurity, and more, the Lab provides hands-on resources and expert support to foster digital innovation. Ghana Tech Lab's mission is to build skills, strengthen ecosystems, and create startups that address societal challenges, driving growth and innovation across Africa.
HapaSpace
Hapa Space, founded in December 2015, is a vibrant innovation hub based in Kumasi, Ghana, dedicated to supporting tech-enabled startups. It offers a range of services, including capacity building through workshops, mentorship, and incubation, as well as non-cash support such as office space, internet access, and networking opportunities. Hapa Space also provides funding opportunities through collaborations with venture capitals and angel investors. With a focus on technology-driven entrepreneurship, Hapa Space helps entrepreneurs from idea generation to pre-seed funding, empowering youth to build sustainable businesses and drive innovation in the region.
HOPin Academy
HOPin Academy is a dynamic innovation hub based in Northern Ghana, offering a range of services to support entrepreneurs, startups, and youth. Since its inception in 2014, HOPin has nurtured over 50 startups through its flagship incubation and acceleration programs, providing access to co-working spaces, maker spaces, business advisory, and digital skills training. With a focus on ecosystem development, HOPin Academy is deeply involved in community-driven projects, empowering youth, promoting digital entrepreneurship, and fostering sustainable economic growth in the region.
Impact Hub Ghana
Impact Hub Accra is part of the global Impact Hub Network, offering support to entrepreneurs through accelerator programs, investment opportunities, and networking events. It fosters collaboration and social innovation to address key societal challenges. The hub promotes design thinking and creative solutions for sustainable development. Impact Hub Accra connects local startups with global investors, enhancing access to capital and resources. It plays a vital role in strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Ghana and West Africa.
Innohub
Innohub is a business accelerator and impact investment platform that helps Small and Growing Businesses (SGBs) become sustainable, scalable, and investment-ready. It provides a range of services including growth consulting, business acceleration, capital raise support, and market research. By sponsoring finance vehicles like Wangara Green Venture Capital and the Angel Investors Network, Innohub bridges the funding gap for SGBs, connecting them with the capital needed for growth. The platform leverages design thinking to drive innovation and support the development of the SGB ecosystem in Ghana and the broader sub-region.
Ispace Foundation
iSpace Foundation is an innovation hub based in Accra, Ghana, founded in 2013 to support the growth of startups and entrepreneurs. It offers a range of services, including co-working spaces, training, mentorship, and access to funding, aimed at helping businesses launch and scale. iSpace runs various programs such as coding and business management training for women, and Eden Labs, a tech makerspace for young innovators. The foundation also facilitates networking opportunities, exposure to investors, and capacity-building programs, playing a key role in strengthening the local startup ecosystem.
Kosmos Innovation Center
The Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) is an accelerator based in Ghana, established in 2016 with a focus on empowering young entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector, the country's largest employer. KIC provides mentorship, funding, and business development support to aspiring entrepreneurs, helping them turn their ideas into successful startups. Since its inception, over 600 entrepreneurs have participated in KIC’s programs, resulting in the creation of numerous innovative startups. In 2021, KIC Ghana became an independent non-profit, with the Mastercard Foundation investing $16 million to expand its reach and offer more comprehensive training to young entrepreneurs across the country.
Kumasi Hive Incubator Program
Kumasi Hive is an innovation hub and makerspace located in Kumasi, Ghana's second-largest city. Founded in 2015, it focuses on nurturing hardware startups, offering rapid prototyping, business incubation, and support for local innovators. The Hive fosters entrepreneurship by providing co-working spaces, training programs, and expertise in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and biotechnology. Kumasi Hive aims to contribute to Africa's sustainable socio-economic growth by empowering entrepreneurs, supporting research and development, and promoting skills training in STEM and vocational education.
MEST
MEST is a Ghana-based accelerator supporting tech startups and SMEs through mentorship, funding, and strategic business advice. It offers programs like MEST Express and MEST Scale, focusing on scaling businesses and fostering innovation. The accelerator targets companies in various sectors, including EdTech and software development. MEST provides access to a network of investors and experts to drive growth. The initiative aims to empower entrepreneurs with the tools needed to succeed. Its goal is to foster sustainable, impactful business growth across Ghana and beyond.
Mobile Business Clinic (MBC)
Mobile Business Clinic (MBC) Africa, founded in 2012, is an accelerator dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs across West Africa, particularly in agriculture, to build sustainable and competitive businesses. Through tailored programs like the ShEquity Business Accelerator (SHEBA) and the Market Systems and Resilience (MSR) Activity, MBC Africa provides training, technical assistance, and financial support to women, youth, and marginalized groups. The organization focuses on fostering job creation, improving market access, and enhancing local economic development, with an emphasis on sectors such as agribusiness, climate-smart solutions, and tech-enabled businesses.
Mobile Web Ghana
Mobile Web Ghana is a technology and entrepreneurship hub focused on empowering youth to develop mobile and web applications while providing open data solutions to tackle local challenges. Established to build the capacity of tech enthusiasts, the organization offers co-working spaces, mentorship, and training programs aimed at enhancing skills and fostering innovation. Through initiatives like startup incubation, ICT for development projects, and specialized programs for women in tech, Mobile Web Ghana supports both emerging tech businesses and social causes, helping them thrive in the tech industry and beyond.
Orange Corners Ghana
Orange Corners Ghana is an acceleration programme designed to support young entrepreneurs in growing their businesses and strengthening the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. Managed by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and implemented by GrowthAfrica, the initiative offers a structured 6-month programme that includes workshops, mentorship, access to capital, and networking opportunities with key industry stakeholders. Through its focus on business development, market access, and innovation, Orange Corners Ghana helps entrepreneurs formalize and scale their ventures, while also fostering connections with the private sector and offering funding through the Orange Corners Innovation Fund.
Stanbic Incubator Ghana
The Stanbic Incubator Ghana, established in 2018 by Stanbic Bank, is a corporate social initiative focused on promoting entrepreneurship among youth and women in Africa. It provides business development services, mentorship, coaching, and access to markets for startups and SMEs. The incubator aims to drive intra-Africa SME trade, foster skills development, and support leadership and corporate governance. With a strong emphasis on job creation and economic growth, it helps entrepreneurs access funding and resources to scale their ventures, aligning with Standard Bank's mission to drive Africa's growth.
Unicef Startup Lab
The UNICEF StartUp Lab, launched in 2019, is a six-month accelerator program aimed at supporting impact-driven startups in Ghana that focus on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals for children and young people. Led by UNICEF and implemented by MEST Africa, the program offers intensive business acceleration, mentorship, and access to a wide network of UN System partners. Participants receive up to GHS 32,000 for product development and are encouraged to create open-source solutions. The program targets tech-based startups with a social impact, particularly those led by women, in sectors like HealthTech, EdTech, Climate Action, and WASH.
WAN-Hive Ghana
WAN-Hive Ghana is an innovative hub dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs through tailored mentorship and skills development. Its programs, such as the Obaasima Business Challenge and Women in Business Accelerator, aim to equip women with the necessary tools to thrive in sectors like agriculture, tech, and manufacturing. By focusing on digital skills training for girls and supporting female-led businesses, WAN-Hive fosters sustainable solutions and bridges the gender gap in entrepreneurship. With a strong emphasis on creating real impact, WAN-Hive is driving social and economic transformation in Ghana, one empowered woman at a time.
Ghana’s innovation ecosystem is thriving, supported by a range of accelerators, incubators, and venture capital firms that offer invaluable resources to entrepreneurs. These hubs are not only promoting business growth but are also enhancing the country’s sustainable development by empowering entrepreneurs in key sectors such as agriculture, technology, and clean energy. With a focus on creating scalable, impactful solutions, these organizations are laying the foundation for a more inclusive, green, and tech-driven economy. As these hubs continue to grow, they will undoubtedly attract more investment and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs, positioning Ghana as a key player in the African startup landscape.