By Elizabeth PUNSU, Kumasi
Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC), through its flagship AgriTech Challenge Pro, in collaboration with Mastercard Foundation, is moving to transform agribusiness in the country by equipping young entrepreneurs with the tools, funding, and mentorship needed to build sustainable ventures.
According to KIC Executive Director, Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, the challenge is designed to empower youth entrepreneurs and to spur long-term growth in the agricultural sector.
In an interview with journalists at the AgriTech Challenge Pro pitching at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Mr. Gyan-Kesse highlighted reasons for the initiative.
“The AgriTech Challenge has impacted over 10,000 direct and indirect beneficiaries. It is tailored to inspire young people to create employment for themselves and others. That’s why our partnership with the Mastercard Foundation is crucial—it gives young people the opportunity to pursue dignified and sustainable ventures that secure their futures. The challenge itself is not the end; it is a means for youth to advance their business and investment ideas,” he said.
This year, following a rigorous evaluation process, 22 promising startups were selected to receive KIC funding support and will now progress into the KIC Business Incubation Program.
The incubation phase provides an accelerator experience, including tailored coaching, mentorship, networking, access to infrastructure and technical expertise, as well as continuous learning opportunities to nurture business growth.
Mr. Gyan-Kesse added that as part of the program, entrepreneurs are nested and supported through capacity building and continuous mentorship.
The 2025 edition of the AgriTech Challenge Pro awarded funding between $5,000 and $25,000 to youth-led startups that demonstrated creativity, innovation, and a clear commitment to transforming agriculture through technology.
These startups presented practical solutions to critical agricultural challenges and are now positioned to scale their innovations.
KIC, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, sourced 61 youth-led startups from 16 academic institutions as part of the Initiative for Youth in Agricultural Transformation (IYAT). The goal according to KIC is to provide young people with entrepreneurial and employment opportunities in the agriculture sector.
This 9th edition of the Challenge saw 44 entrepreneurial teams pitch their business ideas to a panel of experts. Concepts ranged across food innovation, nutrition, food security, climate technology, circular economies, and value-added Agrictechnology—spanning the entire value chain from production to marketing and distribution.
Among the top winners were Tomavi Wines who received $10,000 and Pure Lube, whose founders expressed optimism and gratitude for the support during an interview with journalists.
“We are grateful for the journey and KIC funding. This will help us scale up, empower smallholder tomato farmers, and produce quality, nutritious, low-cholesterol wine to fill a gap in the market, ”said Tomavi Wines.
Pure Lube, which won the top prize of $25,000, aims to reduce the country’s dependence on imported industrial lubricants.
“We produce industrial lubricants from cashew shells. With this support, we can expand production and contribute significantly to the local economy,” the team said.
