The HC Talent Group in partnership with Kumasi Hive and Startup Discovery school organised the first edition of the Innovation Hackathon.

The event dubbed “The Environment, the Entrepreneur - we are all involved” took place in Kumasi on Friday afternoon.

The Innovation Hackathon was set up to help guide business ideas in the areas of Agri-Tech, Climate Action and Renewable Energy.

18 different startups each had the opportunity to pitch their respective business ideas to compete for the ultimate.

At the end of the daylong competition, three businesses came out top and were handed starting capital.

Solar Afrique placed third and received $250, Well Fed came in second taking home $500, and Nastech Power Solutions finished first with $1,000.

In an interview with Joy News, founder of Nastech, Samuel Asare expressed his excitement after winning the ultimate.

“I was a bit surprised. I didn’t expect to win after pitching. I’m really happy about winning this Hackathon. My project Nastech recycles electronic waste and uses them to manufacture solar generators. I hope we can utilize the sun’s energy to provide electricity and transform the energy industry in Ghana.

Maurice Cashinco, who’s the Managing Director of Kumasi Hive, encouraged more footballers to invest in such sustainable projects.

“I’m every empowered as a Ghanaian to see a footballer who has a vision of creating businesses and job for the youth. That’s a good mark and I encourage others in the sports and entertainment industry to help these young people with ideas to compete on the global scale.

Vitória de Guimarães defender, Abdul Mumin spoke of why he and his team decided to invest in this Hackathon.

“Myself, Gideon Mensah and Eric thought that we have to embark on more sustainable projects. If we look at the neighborhoods that we come from there are a lot of entrepreneurs with great ideas.  My team and I decided we could help make some of these ideas a reality”

The Innovation Hackathon seeks to continue to encourage the spirit of entrepreneurship in young people in the Kumasi ecosystem whilst providing them with tools to help them grow.