ACCRA, Ghana, and CHICAGO, IL, August 23, 2024 – Telesto Strategy with its partners Academic City University College and the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) have been awarded a grant by the U.S. State Department Office of Global Partnerships to continue their work to propagate climate tech entrepreneurship in West Africa.  

Telesto, Academic City, and ANDE, which are all members of the Department of State’s Coalition for Climate Entrepreneurship, will continue their programming in Ghana by expanding its early-stage Climate Tech Accelerator to support the development of a regional pipeline of investable, climate-focused startups across Ghana. 

The program will diligently source a robust cohort of Ghanaian tech startups that are delivering climate-centered solutions across a diverse array of industry verticals. Given the overall maturity of the climate entrepreneurial landscape in Ghana, Telesto will focus on identifying early-stage, pre-seed, or seed-level startups for accelerator participation.   

Climate tech proves to be a dynamic sector of innovation and growth; as new climate solutions enter the market every day. To encourage localization of key climate solutions, the program will source early-stage startups across an array of industry verticals. 

“We are delighted to have been selected and have the opportunity to build on the momentum of our climate tech accelerator’s success in Ghana,” said Telesto CEO & Founder Alex Kruzel. “Working hand-in-hand with our local partners, I’m fully confident we’ll strengthen an already blossoming ecosystem of climate tech entrepreneurs who bring fresh thinking and unwavering energy to tackling entrenched climate challenges. We’re building a scalable prototype that will bolster climate tech innovation and adoption for Ghana, West Africa, and beyond. Expect much more to come.” 

Dr. Lucy Agyepong, Vice President, Institutional Advancement of Academic City, remarked, “At Academic City, our focus has always been on creating an environment that encourages innovation and promotes sustainability. We believe that this grant is a testament to the existing efforts by Academic City, Telesto Strategy, and ANDE in cultivating a vibrant community of entrepreneurs dedicated to addressing climate challenges in West Africa.” 

“This support from the U.S. State Department’s Office of Global Partnerships will go a long way in helping us foster local solutions to global climate challenges and empower the next generation of innovators to make a significant impact,” she added. 

Building an ecosystem of climate tech in Ghana will also require hands-on, local community management expertise, which is where ANDE will be availing its local, regional, and global network of entrepreneurs and entrepreneur support organizations. “ANDE’s first global conference outside USA was hosted last year in Ghana where we were thrilled to collaborate with Telesto Strategy and Academic City to award the first round of winners for the early-stage climate tech accelerator, so we are honored to receive this resounding endorsement from the Department of State, which will enable us to continue building a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports climate tech. This award underscores the vital role that innovative solutions play in addressing the urgent climate challenges facing our region and through our hands-on local engagement and collaboration with members including enterprise support organizations, capacity development providers, and investors. We remain resolute and committed to empowering a new generation of entrepreneurs who are developing scalable, sustainable technologies that will drive economic growth and environmental resilience across West Africa,” Em Ekong, ANDE West Africa Regional Head. 

Applications will open later this year for early-stage, seed/pre-seed startups across Ghana that are looking to contribute towards the development of climate solutions, advance their business concept, receive world-class coaching and mentorship, and get connected to a powerful network of ecosystem leaders regionally and globally. The accelerator program includes 16 weeks of training, coaching, community support, and mentoring and will support startups with a curated curriculum of industry-standard content and business development resources. The program will culminate in an industry showcase where startups will pitch their ideas and receive input from a select group of judges and coaches.