Startup Discovery School Africa launches US$3,000 prize and inclusive venture studio.docx

Startup Discovery School (SDS), in collaboration with Sahara Impact Ventures, an Autodesk Foundation portfolio organization, in collaboration with Academic City University College has announced the inaugural Climate Champion Competition, offering a grand prize of US$3,000 to climate technology startups with the most scalable solutions in Ghana.

This event happening at Academic City University College on August 10, 2024, is set to attract a diverse group of participants, ranging from seasoned entrepreneurs to emerging innovators. Eligible startups must present scalable solutions that address climate change, have an MVP or developed product, and be based in Africa. Additionally, their solutions should align with one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), contributing to a broader vision of a sustainable future.

The Climate Champion Competition is more than just a pitch event; it is a platform to showcase bold ideas that are shaping the future. Startups will pitch their solutions to some of today’s most pressing challenges, including clean energy access, sustainable agriculture, water sanitation, electric mobility adoption, manufacturing, and digitalization for climate change.
Mandy Nyarko MBE, Managing Partner of Sahara Impact Ventures, and co-founder of SDS, added, “We believe African startups have exceptional talent in building technology solutions. This partnership will be transformative, enabling them to scale solutions that address both environmental and social issues related to climate change.”

Gosbert Chagula, co-founder of SDS, also noted, “We selected Ghana due to its vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, government commitment to innovation, and its strategic position in West Africa. Ghana’s dynamic market and focus on sustainability make it an ideal hub for impactful climate solutions.”

SDS Africa aims to tackle Ghana’s climate-related challenges by focusing on agriculture, renewable energy, mobility, industrial innovation, and gender disparity. Programs will empower entrepreneurs with training, networks, and capital, in collaboration with corporates and institutions.

The long-term goal for SDS Africa is to strengthen the innovation ecosystem, forge strong partnerships, and increase capital flow to startups. “We envision driving sustainable business growth while delivering significant social impact across the continent,” Chagula said.

In addition to the competition, a significant announcement will be made about the launch of the Startup Discovery School Africa Venture Studio. This venture studio will be the first West African Gender-Lense Venture Studio for climate change focused startups building the Just Transition and will serve as a comprehensive resource center, offering mentorship, incubation, development, and essential resources to startups combating the impact of climate change The Venture Studio aims to accelerate the growth of innovative startups by providing them with the support needed to scale their impact across Africa and beyond.

The Climate Champion Competition is not only an opportunity for the competitors but also for anyone interested in sustainability, innovation, or entrepreneurship. The event will provide a platform for networking with key industry players, learning from leading experts, and being part of a movement toward a greener future.
This event is a chance to witness the future of sustainability in action. Free tickets are available on https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climate-champion-pitch-competition-tickets-995134021647?aff=oddtdtcreator. For more information, please visit StartupDiscoveryAfrica.com.