Agrihype, an Agri-Tech company focused on telling stories about the exploits, insights, feats, and challenges in the agricultural value chain through videography and photography has emerged winners of the maiden Pitch Contest of the 5th Volta Trade and Investment Fair.

The company which wowed the panel of judges with its innovative idea went home with the ultimate prize of GHC13,000.00.

The contest witnessed ideas in Agri-Tech, Clean Energy/Waste Management, E-Commerce, Health Innovation and Tourism, and Hospitality industries.

WasteMan, a waste management company was adjudged the first runner-up with a cash prize of GHC12,000.00, while Volta Market Online, an e-commerce platform took the second runner-up position.

It was awarded a cash prize of GHC11,000.00. The company sells all kinds of goods and provides delivery services.

Co-founder of Agrihype, Godsway Detornu explained that their company is focused on using digital media to highlight all services in the agricultural value chain, to connect farmers to funding opportunities, and to provide education and training for farmers.

The Business Development Lead, Joyce Azumah said they were excited about the win because they believe it will open their business to several other investment opportunities which will help them achieve their business goals.

The team hinted that they will invest this cash price into purchasing equipment to scale their business.

The three top winners qualify to compete in an incubation program organized by the Ho Node Hub to help the entities fine-tune and structure their business models to enable them to expand and have sustainable profits.

The competition was organized by the Ho Node in partnership with the Association of Ghana Industries, the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, and the Ghana Tourism Authority.

It was to encourage the youth to take up the challenge of developing viable business ideas which are innovative and have sustainable models of generating profits.

8 startups were shortlisted out of the about thirty that applied to join in the pitch contest. six of the 8 startups were able to participate in the contest which was staged at the GNAT Hall.

Participating in the event pitching event was

The Eastern, Volta and Oti Regions Zonal Manager of EXIM Bank for Eastern, Zakaria Ziblim, Senior Product Manager at Jumo Ghana, Mawuko Dzamesi, the Volta Regional Director of Ghana Exports Promotion Authority Chris Amponsah Sackey and the Director of the Ho Node Hub Courage Asase, participated in an eye-opening panel discussion on the startup environment in the Volta Region

They identified that there is a huge knowledge gap in the startup environment in the region.

They encouraged the youth to learn how to nurture their businesses and cultivate a culture of patience, resilience and networking to help them compete with global brands.