From Idea to Enterprise

Through the Youth Innovation Circles (YIC) project, innovators have transformed ideas into successful businesses.

Emmanuel Ohemeng Senior, a 27-year-old engineering graduate from Agona Nsaba, is redefining education through KOA Tutors, a digital platform connecting learners with tutors in STEM, robotics, coding, music, arts, and languages. What started as a home-tutoring idea evolved into a full tech-enabled solution after he joined the Youth Innovation Circles (YIC) project eight months ago.

With eight years of teaching experience, Emmanuel was driven by a passion for personalized learning. Inspired during his work as a teacher at Twinkle Burgeon School, he envisioned KOA Tutors as a bridge to address educational inequalities. Joining YIC through Duapa Werkspace, he refined his idea after pitching it at an investor pitch event. Mentorship, expert workshops, and peer learning sessions helped him focus, gain business skills, and officially register his company.

Mentored by Mr. Benjamin Nii Kpany Addy, Emmanuel formed a team, opened a business account, launched a website, and secured a permanent office space. Today, KOA Tutors employs 25 youth (16 females, 9 males) and serves 92 students (57 females, 25 males, 3 PWDs), all between 3 and 20 years old, through personalized learning. The platform has reached over 500 learners across five schools, including 5 Persons with Disabilities, across 5 partner schools in rural and peri-urban areas that have integrated coding and robotics into their academic calendars. Emmanuel has trained 29 teachers in STEM and robotics.

KOA Tutors has also advanced digital inclusion by promoting female participation in tech and integrating AI and virtual learning tools. Now, Emmanuel has transitioned from being a mentee to a mentor. He plans to launch center-based teaching in August 2025, scale nationwide, hire 100 people, and develop a mobile app. His story reflects YIC’s impact in turning grassroots ideas into transformative enterprises.

Support Received:
Peer Learning, Workshops, Tailored Mentorship, Investor Pitch
Current Status:
Website and Online Tution Launched.
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Emmanuel Nabila

Founder
Aquaculture

Emmanuel Nabila’s entrepreneurial journey in aquaculture began with a compelling idea: a solar-powered aquarium system designed to efficiently drain, distill, and recycle water, significantly minimizing waste. Through the Youth Innovators Circles (YIC), Emmanuel developed his concept, actively engaging in peer learning, attending specialized workshops, and refining his pitch. The mentorship received through YIC was instrumental in transforming his innovative idea into a viable enterprise. As a testament to his progress, Emmanuel has successfully employed 16 individuals, including himself, highlighting the direct job creation impact of this project from idea to a thriving operation.

Support Received:
Access to mentorship, knowledge exchange, business development workshops, pitch and demo events.
Current Status:
Expanding production and distributing to retail sellers
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Joshua Yeboah

Founder
J.Y Solar Water Pump

At just nineteen, Joshua Yeboah is making a remarkable impact in his community by addressing everyday challenges with innovative solutions. After observing the environmental harm and high costs associated with fuel-powered water pumps, particularly for rural farmers, he developed a more sustainable and affordable alternative: the J.Y Solar Water Pump. With mentorship and funding secured through winning the top prize at the YIC Pitch and Demo Day in the Ashanti Region, Joshua successfully transformed his early prototypes into a fully functional solution.

Support Received:
Access to funding, maker space resources, mentorship, peer learning and business development workshops
Current Status:
Functional product built
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Video Testimonials

Hear directly from our innovators and mentors as they share their experiences with YIC.

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