The Youth Agri– Innovation Challenge

About The Youth Agri– InnovationChallenge

The Youth Agri– Innovation Challenge is part of the the Accelerating Change Through Innovation in Agricultural TVET (ACTIVATE) Project, led by WUSC (World University Service of Canada), and organized and delivered by Challenges Ghana. The project is dedicated to promoting innovation and entrepreneurship among young people in Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions across Ghana. This initiative aligns with the broader goal of promoting inclusive youth employment and entrepreneurship by equipping young people, especially women and individuals from marginalized communities, with the tools, networks, and resources needed to grow their ideas into sustainable businesses.

Guided by the theme “Youthat the Frontlines of Agricultural Transformation” the project places a strong focus on highlighting youth-led agricultural innovations that are viable, sustainable, and designed to create meaningful impact.

As part of this effort, the Youth Agri– Innovation Challenge has been introduced as a two-level national pitch competition to identify, support, and showcase promising young entrepreneurs. The Zonal Pitch stage provides a platform for participants to present their business ideas, receive constructive feedback, and access mentorship and training from experienced professionals. The most outstanding participants will move on to the National Pitch Event, where they will compete for funding and opportunities to scale their businesses.

This initiative plays an essential role in building a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem within agriculture and agribusiness while empowering youth to contribute to food security, economic development, and long-term sustainability across Ghana.

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Zonal Pitch Week

In the first stage of the competition, 80 entrepreneurs will be selected from four regions across Ghana. This group will include 40 participants with innovative business ideas and 40 with early-stage agribusinesses. Each participant will receive training, pitch their ideas or businesses, receive expert feedback, and connect with mentors.

Zonal Breakdown

• Northern Zone: Upper East Region, Upper West Region, North East Region, Northern Region

• Middle Zone: Savannah Region, Bono Region, Ahafo Region, Bono East Region

• Transition Zone: Ashanti Region, Western North Region, Western Region

• Southern Zone: Central Region, Eastern Region, Greater Accra Region, Volta Region, Oti Region

National Pitch Day:

The top 24 finalists from the zonal pitch events will advance to the National Pitch Event in Accra, where they will compete for a total of One Hundred and Sixty Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHS 160,000) in grant funding to grow their agribusiness ventures

What You Will Gain

• Business development and pitch readiness training

• Mentorship and coaching from experienced industry professionals

• Access to investors, funders, and professional networks

• Opportunity to secure funding to launch or scale your business

• National visibility and recognition for your innovation

Project Structure

1. Application Period: Open from 14th July to 3rd August 2025

2. Training: 160 applicants will be selected to participate in virtual business development and pitch training

3. Zonal Pitch Events: 80 participants (40 in the ideation stage and 40 early-stage businesses) will be selected to compete in zonal pitch events.

4. National Pitch Event: 24 finalists will compete in Accra for a share of GHS 160,000 in grant funding

Who is Eligible to Apply?

Ideation Stage Track

This track is designed for individuals or teams with new business ideas at the concept or development phase. Applicants must:

• Be aged between 18 and 35 years

• Have a business idea, proof of concept, or minimum viable product

• Be a current student or a recent graduate (within the last three years) of an ATVET institution, Farm Institute, or Agriculture College in Ghana

• Be operating or planning to operate within the agriculture or agribusiness value chain

• Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply

Click here to apply for the Ideation Stage

Early-Stage Business Track

This track is intended for individuals who are already running agribusinesses and are ready to scale. Applicants must:

• Be aged between 18 and 35 years

• Be actively operating within the agriculture or agribusiness value chain

• Have been in operation for more than six months and less than three years

• Have a registered business

• Maintain financial records for at least the past three months

• Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply

Click here to apply for the Early-Stage Business

Important Dates

• Applications Open: 14 July 2025

• Applications Close: 3 August 2025

• Training Period: 18 August to 29 August 2025

• Zonal Pitch Events:

• Southern and Middle Zones: 15 to 18 September 2025

• Northern and Transition Zones: 22 to 25 September 2025

• National Pitch Event in Accra: 8 October 2025

Are you a young agricultural entrepreneur with bold ideas or an early-stage business?

The Youth Agri– Innovation Challenge is your opportunity to showcase your innovation, build your skills, connect with mentors, and compete for funding to grow your business.

We are inviting young people across Ghana who are passionate about agriculture to apply for Youth Agri– Innovation Challenge. Whether you have promising business ideas or are already running a business, this competition is designed to support and elevate your journey.

Appy Now

Click here to apply for the Ideation Stage

Click hereto apply for the Early-Stage Business

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

General Questions

1. What is The Youth Agri– Innovation Challenge?
   TheYouth Agri– Innovation Challenge is part of the ACTIVATE project under the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) and organized by Challenges Group Ghana. It provides a platform for youth to present innovative business ideas or existing early-stage businesses to industry experts, investors, and mentors for support, and funding.

2. What support will I receive if selected?
   Selected applicants will benefit from:

• Tailored workshops and mentoring sessions.

• Exposure to funding and partnership opportunities.

• Feedback from seasoned entrepreneurs and investors.

• Networking with stakeholders from agriculture and adjacent sectors.

3. Can I apply as part of a team?
   Yes. You can send the application as a team but only one person can represent the team  

4. What is the difference between the Ideation and Early-Stage categories?

• Ideation Stage: For applicants with a strong business idea but no operations yet.

• Early-Stage: For applicants who have already started implementing their business idea (e.g., developed a product, started selling, or generating revenue).

5. Is there a cost to participate?
   No. Participation is free of charge.

FAQs for Ideation Stage Applicants

1. Do I need to have a registered business to apply?
   No. The ideation stage is for individuals or teams who have a viable business idea and want to develop it further.

2. Who can apply?
   Eligible applicants must:

• Be between 18–35 years old.

• Be students or graduates from partner ATVET institutions in Ghana.

• Women are highly encouraged to apply

3. Will I receive help to build my business plan?
   Yes. Participants will receive training on how to develop a business plan, define their market, and craft a pitch.

4. What if I don’t have prior business training?
   That’s okay! The program is designed to build your capacity from the ground up.

5. Can I apply if I’m still in school?
   Yes, as long as you're a from ATVET institution and within age range.

FAQs for Early-Stage Business Applicants

1. How do I know if my business qualifies as “early-stage”?
   If you have already developed your product/service, conducted testing, made initial sales, or have some customer traction, your business is considered early-stage.

2. Who can apply?
   Eligible applicants must:

• Be between 18–35 years old.

• Business must be registered  

• Women are highly encouraged to apply

3. Do I need to submit financial statements?
   No formal statements are required, but you should share information about revenue, pricing, or funding received if applicable.

FAQs for Application & Selection

1. How do I apply?
   To apply, please choose the appropriate category:

• For Ideation Stage applicants, click here to apply

• For Early-Stage Business applicants, click here to apply

2. How will applications be evaluated?
Applications will be scored against the Criteria on factors such as innovation, clarity, relevance to agriculture or adjacent sectors, and feasibility

3. Will I be trained before the pitch?
Yes. All selected participants will undergo a series of workshops and mentoring sessions to prepare for the pitch event.