The Kosmos Innovation Center Business Booster aims to help existing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) scale up their businesses, and focuses on selecting and working with Ghanaian agribusiness ventures to:

• Validate and refine their business models,
• Prepare the companies for future growth, and
• Access capital to build their businesses.

The five-month programme has started at the Impact Hub Accra, and will be executed through two in-person bootcamps, a mentorship support programme, and introductions to potential investors and financial advisors.

To qualify for the Kosmos Innovation Center Business Booster programme, enterprises must be Ghanaian-owned and must have been operating in the agriculture sector of Ghana for at least three years.

Over 170 applications were received out of which 30 were short-listed for interviews, with nine companies ultimately selected to join the new programme.

Kosmos Energy is collaborating with partners Uncharted and Impact Hub Accra to run the programme.

Uncharted is leading programme execution and curriculum delivery while Impact Hub Accra is providing local expertise in logistics, operations, and mentor and applicant recruitment.

Commenting on the programme, Kosmos Energy’s Vice President and Country Manager Joe Mensah said: “The work we are doing at the Kosmos Innovation Center continues to build momentum as we expand the scope of our activities. With the launch of the Kosmos Innovation Center Business Booster, we are helping existing businesses within agriculture access additional capital and reach a new stage of growth. We are also strengthening local leadership within Ghana’s agriculture sector by investing in developing the skills of both new and experienced entrepreneurs.”

The Kosmos Innovation Center runs a parallel programme, the AgriTech Challenge which focuses on creating startups that provide ICT and innovation-based solutions to challenges in the agricultural sector.