By Florence Afriyie Mensah
 Akyawkrom (Ash), Sept. 01, GNA – The 2026 Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) AgriTech Challenge Pro, has reached another important milestone, as participating teams take part in their first pitch, marking a significant step in their journey from innovative ideas to viable agribusinesses.
The AgriTech Challenge Pro is designed to support young entrepreneurs develop innovative solutions that address challenges across Ghana’s agricultural and food value chains.
Since the commencement of the programme, participating teams have undergone a series of structured training, coaching and mentorship sessions aimed at strengthening their businesses and preparing them for the realities of the market.
The AgriTech Challenge Pro forms part of the implementation of the Initiative for Youth in Agricultural Transformation (IYAT), a programme of the Mastercard Foundation in partnership with KIC Ghana.
A key focus of this year’s AgriTech Challenge Pro has been agro-hardware and food innovation, with participants receiving support to transform ideas into practical products and solutions that respond to identified market needs.
Through the programme, teams have been encouraged to test assumptions, understand their customers, refine their products and build solutions with the potential to create jobs and contribute to the growth of Ghana’s agricultural sector.
The teams have also benefited from coaching and technical support from experienced professionals and industry experts.
Mr. Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, Executive Director, KIC speaking at the opening of the business pitches at Akyawkrom near Kumasi, said the Center remained committed to walking alongside young innovators as they develop ideas, strengthen businesses and pursue opportunities within Ghana’s agricultural and food ecosystem.
“KIC programmes goes beyond developing business ideas, participants are supported to build the capabilities required to take their innovations from concept to market,”
For KIC this hands-on approach is intended to ensure that participants are not only able to present compelling business ideas but are also better equipped to understand the challenges involved in building and sustaining an enterprise”, he emphasized.
Mr. Gyan-Kesse said the First Pitch therefore, represented an opportunity for the teams to demonstrate the progress they have made, communicate their value propositions and receive feedback that could help them further refine their businesses.
Following the First Pitch, the participating businesses will undergo a selection process to determine which teams will progress to the Final Pitch stage of the AgriTech Challenge Pro.
Mr Kamil Nabong, Portfolio Manager at KIC, explaining further said winners after the second pitch stood changes of winning funding up to $50,000.
He used the occasion to call for public’s interest in investing in these businesses that addressed real societal problems.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Florence Afriyie Mensah
Email: [email protected]