By Emelia B. Addae
Somanya (E/R), March 31, GNA – The Research, Innovation and Consultancy Unit (RICU) of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) Somanya, has held an incubation hub final pitch day and Biogel FarmTech emerged the winner among the eight contestants.
The incubation hub is a Tertiary Hub for Innovation and Knowledge (THINK) Network, and the pitch is a competition in which student entrepreneurs present their business ideas and marketing strategies to a panel of judges to secure funding.
Biogel FarmTech from group four provides an organic fertilizer which is soluble in water and enhances soil fertility and water retention to sustain crops on the farm during drought.
Among the competitors, PBC Aquafeed placed second and Eastside Industries Ghana, placed third.
Dr Felicia Annin, Head of RICU said the THINK Network was set up in 2024 and it was being initiated in four tertiary institutions with its headquarters at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS Nest).
She said, “through collaboration and networking between hubs, industries and policy makers, Universities seek to establish a stronger relationship with industries to offer practical learning opportunities, internships, and collaborative research to foster innovation and ensure that startups have access to resources, mentorship, and market opportunities.”
She said the incubation hub pitch marked a pivotal moment in the effort to cultivate a dynamic entrepreneurship ecosystem within Higher Education Institutions in Ghana.
Dr Annin mentioned that the British Council through the THINK Network, awarded 4000 Euros grant to each of the four tertiary institutions to support student-driven entrepreneurship by providing essential resources, mentorship, and funding.
She said the institutions have therefore established innovation hubs on their campuses to nurture entrepreneurial activities and assist students/innovators to transform their innovative ideas into sustainable businesses.
The project commenced with the application process of 24 students from levels 200 to 400 of the School of Sustainable Development (SSD) and the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences (SNES) of the UESD, she said.
The winner of the final pitch day in the University was awarded with a cash prize of 4000 Ghana cedis and would compete in the national award of the incubation hub pitch in Accra.
Professor Eric Nyarko-Sampson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development, congratulated the contestants and urged them to soar higher while the University continued to do its best to support them.
He said the business ideas and market strategies developed would prepare them to take responsibility for the future.
GNA
DL/LAA