Two student-led startups from the C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS), Ecoleap and Growth-Line Farm Tech, have emerged as top-performing teams in the 2025 edition of the Kosmos Innovation Centre (KIC) AgriTech Challenge Pro. This event took place from the 2nd to the 23rd of May at the KNUST Business School (D Basement) in Kumasi.
The start-ups secured a combined $15,000 in seed funding to grow their agribusiness innovations.
These two startups were among 22 finalists selected from 16 tertiary institutions nationwide. The AgriTech Challenge Pro, an advanced stage of KIC’s flagship AgriTech Challenge, is designed to support promising agripreneurs with the tools, funding and exposure needed to scale their businesses.
Speaking on the achievement, representatives from CKT-UTAS expressed pride in the student teams and acknowledged the importance of programmes like KIC in equipping students with real-world entrepreneurial experience.
The University continues to encourage practical, problem-solving approaches to learning, particularly in agriculture and technology, two sectors critical to Ghana’s development.
Out of 66 teams that entered the competition, Ecoleap and Growth-Line Farm Tech distinguished themselves among the top winners. Ecoleap was awarded $10,000 in seed funding for its pioneering work producing edible anura (frogs) for the Ghanaian market and export. The venture aims to promote sustainable protein sources and diversify Ghana’s agricultural exports.
Growth-Line Farm Tech, which received $5,000, is focused on manufacturing affordable egg incubators using recycled tyres, a business that blends agricultural innovation with environmental sustainability.
The success of these two teams underscores not only the ingenuity and determination of CKT-UTAS students but also the vital role of institutional partnerships in nurturing young entrepreneurs.
The collaboration between CKT-UTAS and the Kosmos Innovation Centre has provided students with access to business training, mentorship, and innovation platforms, enabling them to translate their ideas into viable ventures.
The performance of Ecoleap and Growth-Line Farm Tech stands as a testament to what’s possible when innovation is supported with the right mentorship and institutional backing. Their success also reflects the broader impact of the KIC and CKT-UTAS partnership in developing the next generation of agribusiness leaders.
