Our Projects

BRIInG Project

In the pursuit of its mission, UGBS Nest has witnessed remarkable success through the

implementation of the 'Bridging the Research Innovation-Industry Assimilation Gap through

Technology Capacity Building in Rural Ghana' (BRIInG) project: under a bigger umbrella of RISA

Phase 1.

IAU (Connecting Accra Project)

Embarked on a journey of entrepreneurship with our startup incubation program. Participants gained access to resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

HOLLARD STREETWISE CHALLENGE

Participated in tech accelerator programs to fast-track the development of innovative ideas into viable products. Students benefitted from industry expertise and funding support.

S+T+ARTS4AFRICA

STARTS4AFRICA is a collaborative project between the UGBS Innovation and Incubation hub and PiNA, co-funded by the European Union. It revolves around Challenge No.7 dubbed “Coding Ghanaian Culture: Reimagining Nsadwase Nkɔmɔ for Contemporary Relevance”. The challenge seeks digital artists to reimagine Anansesem and Palm wine music within the context of Nsadwase Nkɔmɔ to make it more appealing to younger generations and ensure its continued vitality. Nsadwase Nkɔmɔ is a monthly gathering that celebrates Anansesem storytelling, Palm wine music, and other cultural performances, serving as a vibrant expression of Ghanaian heritage. However, these cultural traditions are increasingly disconnected from the youth. This initiative seeks to rejuvenate the traditions of Anansesem storytelling and Palm wine music, which are in decline, within the Nsadwase Nkɔmɔ context. Artists will be challenged to create digital interpretations that engage the youth while preserving traditional values. The residency lasts for six months (April 2024 to September 2024) during which the artist or team of artists will explore various technologies such as interactive storytelling platforms, virtual reality, and immersive audio experiences. This technological exploration aims to create a participatory and immersive experience that goes beyond traditional performance boundaries, turning Nsadwase Nkɔmɔ into an interactive journey through Ghanaian cultural stories. The UGBS Innovation hub will host the residency, offering a collaborative environment for artists, cultural experts, and technologists to envision a digital future for the Nsadwase Nkɔmɔ Performance Circle. After the residency, the artist is expected to have presentable artwork to be included in international exhibitions like the Ars Electronica Festival.

WACCBIP Biotech Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program

The WACCBIP Biotech Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program is carefully designed to

provide a nurturing and immersive environment, where biomedical scientists together with

individuals from diverse fields come together to explore the fascinating intersection of

science and entrepreneurship. The programme consists of an entrepreneurship training course,

an incubation programme, and a funding scheme for exceptional research projects.
This project was executed in collaboration with the University of Ghana Business School

(UGBS) Innovation and Incubation Hub, the Office of Research, Innovation and Development

(ORID), and the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST). This tailored

entrepreneurship program aims to bridge the gap between scientific brilliance and

entrepreneurial acumen, empowering scientists to harness their research-driven knowledge

and turn it into viable, successful biotech startups. Participants will embark on an exhilarating

journey that will equip them with the tools, strategies, and insights needed to transform

their cutting-edge research into real-world solutions.
By the end of the program, participants will not only have developed a robust business

plan but will also gain the necessary skills, knowledge, and confidence to navigate the

entrepreneurial landscape successfully after participating in the Biotech Startup

Incubation Programme. WACCBIP, UGBS Innovation Hub and the IAST awarded

trainees a Certificate in Essentials of Biotech Entrepreneurship.

ENNOVERGE CHALLENGE

The UGBS Innovation and Incubation Hub in partnership with Chemsolv, DatrixSolution and

Pconverge virtually launched Ennoverge Challenge on November 8, 2023.
Ennoverge is a visionary initiative that unites multiple companies from the energy sector and

other related industries, fostering collaboration and unleashing innovation. The program is not

just tackling industry challenges but also nurturing the leaders of tomorrow and opening doors

for students through exclusive internship programs.

This project seeks to identify and engage enthusiastic and innovative university students who

are eager to join forces with petroleum companies to address real-world challenges. As such,

during the process, students were taken through series of training sessions such as Pitch DNA,

Design thinking, and series of pitch practices. The challenge had a total of 21 students

participating from its inception, ten students were selected for the final pitch day on

December 15, 2023, after a rigorous evaluation process.

The "Energy Innovation Convergence" gave a platform for companies to connect with other

industry leaders, academic institutions, facilitating valuable partnerships and collaborations.
The challenge offered students the chance to engage in internships, with the possibility of

retaining these students to work for these respectable organizations.

ESICDP

The role of universities has evolved into a driving force for change and a significant contributor to economic advancement in their local communities. With a diverse range of academic programs, universities are instrumental in arming graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to fuel the growth of both emerging and established enterprises. Additionally, universities serve as nurturing grounds for innovative ideas, fostering creativity and aiding in the transformation of concepts into successful commercial ventures. Nevertheless, a notable gap exists in providing a comprehensive entrepreneurship manual to guide the operations of entrepreneurship centers and innovation hubs within higher education institutions. In response to this gap, the British Council and the UGBS Innovation Hub have collaboratively initiated the development of an open-source entrepreneurial manual as part of the Enterprise Support and Incubation Curriculum Development project, completing Phase One. This report outlines the undertaken activities, and achievements and sets the trajectory for future phases.

UG NKABOM COLLABORATIVE

The UG Nkabom Collaborative at the University of Ghana seeks to transform Ghana’s agri-food system through youth empowerment, education, and entrepreneurship. By creating learning opportunities, facilitating access to training, especially for underserved groups, and fostering innovation through enterprise development, the Collaborative aims to unlock the potential of young Ghanaians to drive a more sustainable and inclusive food system. UG Nkabom recognizes the vast opportunities across Ghana’s agri-food value chain from farming and logistics to food processing, manufacturing, and export, and connects young people to the expertise, mentorship, and resources needed to participate in and shape this growing sector.
The Collaborative operates through three main programme lines. The Entrepreneurship Pillar, implemented in partnership with the University of Ghana Business School Innovation and Incubation Hub, equips youth with business training, mentorship, incubation support, and funding to build sustainable agrifood ventures. UG Nkabom’s mission is to connect communities of expertise with young people to inspire participation and innovation in sustainable agri-food and nutrition value chains. Its vision is a Ghana where young people lead the transformation toward a more nutritious, sustainable, and resilient food system, supported by strong collaboration among academia, industry, and communities.

THINKGEES

The Graduate Employment & Entrepreneurship Support (GEES) – THINKGEES–THINK initiative is a collaborative programme led by the University of Ghana Business School Innovation and Incubation Hub (UGBS Nest), and the AfriVenture Lab, in partnership with the British Council and the Tertiary Hubs for Innovation and Knowledge (THINK) Network member institutions. This initiative is designed to equip students and recent graduates with practical skills and knowledge to enhance their employability and entrepreneurial capacity. It leverages an already developed open-source entrepreneurship curriculum, offering training in innovation, business and financial planning, and employability enhancement. The GEES–THINK project delivers structured workshops, bootcamps, and mentorship activities across partner institutions, ultimately targeting 100 beneficiaries. The training focuses on business development, innovation management, CV writing, interview preparation, and financial literacy. It will culminate in pitch showcases and pathways to scale for student ventures. VEEP The Vocational and Entrepreneurship Empowerment Project (VEEP) is a collaborative initiative between the British Council and the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) Innovation and Incubation Hub, and the AfriVenture Lab. It is designed to support a minimum of five (5) Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in Ghana to establish and operationalize entrepreneurship and innovation hubs. This project adapts the successful model of the Enterprise Support and Incubation Curriculum Development (ESICD) project I & II to the TVET context. It focuses on enhancing institutional capacity through training, curriculum dissemination, strategy development, and network formation. The ultimate aim is to achieve a system-level impact by fostering sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystems within the TVET sector.

Collaborative Ecosystem

We collaborate seamlessly with your existing ecosystem to provide a holistic approach to innovation and incubation. Our goal is to integrate with your resources and networks for mutual success.