7 Imperial startups visit Ghana to build international connections

Seven startups from Imperial working on innovative health and sustainability solutions have visited Ghana to build connections in the country.

Supported by the University of Ghana and Impact Hub Accra, the Imperial startups met business support organisations, investors, alumni and other founders in Ghana’s capital, Accra, this week as part of Imperial’s Venture Trek programme.

The goal of the Venture Trek program is to provide Imperial founders with the chance to travel to international startup hubs, attend series of meetings and events, and acquire essential skills for expanding their business outside of the UK.

This year’s Venture Trek visits Ghana, as part of four visits that also include trips to Singapore, and the USA (New York and San Francisco), building on last year’s successful trip to San Francisco.

Following the announcement of a significant strategic relationship with the University of Ghana, the visit to Ghana is part of Imperial’s efforts to strengthen ties with startups in the country.

Imperial startups that visited Ghana

The seven Imperial startups who have travelled to Accra are:

1. Sealeo – a biodegradable packaging for temperature-sensitive life-saving medicine, which could ensure effective delivery to remote areas that lack cold storage.

2. DEPLOY – an air-inflated concrete water tank which helps to address challenges in water storage infrastructure by providing a product that can be flat-packed, easily transported and easily set up.

3. GO Assistive Technology – affordable and durable prosthetic legs for people living in resource-constrained environments supported by a first-of-its-kind customer service app to lower barriers to access.

4. Bia – a non-invasive uterine contraction monitoring patch that can be used at home to help pregnant people and healthcare providers accurately track contractions.

5. FreshCheck – colour change technology which can be used to design and manufacture tools that detect otherwise invisible contamination.

6. The Soil Story – an online platform where users can book ‘agrotourism’ experiences, providing enriching experiences for tourists and helping small farmers create a secondary income stream.

7. Vrede919 – an ethical fashion brand championing slow fashion and responsible production through the use of natural fibers and sustainable practices, aiming to produce clothes made to last.

What some founders of the Imperial startups are saying

Commenting on the value of the programme, Lubaina Cementwala, co-founder of Bia, said: “At Bia, we are developing a contraction monitor for pregnant women to remotely communicate their contractions to healthcare providers from home.

“Visiting Ghana and speaking to midwives, mothers, and doctors helped us understand the local context. We conducted a focus group of recent mothers and the data collected will help us design a product suitable for the low- to middle-income country context. We hope to launch in the UK soon, but we also want to be accessible to the developing world as part of our long-term vision at Bia.”

Beren Kayali, co-founder & CTO of DEPLOY, said: “I was thrilled to be included on the list for the Venture Trek in Ghana because I know there are severe water security issues here – which is the core problem we are solving with my company, DEPLOY.”

“During this visit, I have made key connections with NGOs, Ghana Water Company and the British Council. We will continue our conversations remotely, but this initial face-to-face meeting has been crucial for me to convey my passion and understand the local issues in Ghana.”

A Demo Day at the University of Ghana will round up the visit of the Imperial startups to Accra, Ghana. University of Ghana students will have the opportunity to present their companies to regional players from Accra’s vibrant startup community on Demo Day.

Sarah Ranchev-Hale, Head of Imperial Enterprise Lab, said: “Our Venture Treks, an initiative linked to the Imperial Global Network, offer founders unparalleled opportunities to explore new global contexts.”

“These treks provide our founders with invaluable insights into emerging markets, help to attract potential investments, and immerse participants in diverse cultures,” she added.

“By connecting with international ecosystems, founders can drive innovation and growth, fostering a deeper understanding of global business landscapes,” Sarah Ranchev-Hale concluded.

The Imperial Startups’ visit to Ghana to engage local startups is a positive development that could spark the drive for student entrepreneurship in the country.

From July 28 to August 2, Venture Trek will host its second event of the year in Singapore, with an emphasis on businesses using artificial intelligence.