Deadline: 28-Feb-23
Are you ready to take your Kenyan Startup to the next level? BeEntrepreneurs and Joule, Eni School of Entrepreneurship have launched a joint initiative dedicated to the agricultural innovation ecosystem in Kenya.
The goal is to scout and select startup founders, innovators, makers and young talents who intend to develop products or services with high potential impact for local agribusinesses. They want to give brilliant African innovators the opportunity to build cooperative relationships with local stakeholders for a win-win business approach.
The selected startups will take part to a week of training and co-planning in Nairobi with BeEntrepreneurs and Eni teams and have the chance to win the prizes (for a total of € 30.000 in services).
Topics
- The Kenyan startup ecosystem is taking on ever greater dynamism.
- In particular, one of the areas in which innovators are measuring themselves more and more is that linked to agribusiness.
- Some of the biggest challenges they are facing are:
- Precision Farming
- Geolocation, mapping and satellites: using or manufacturing mapping technology;
- Unmanned aerial vehicles drones: producing, distributing or operating UAVs and drones used in agriculture to study the land;
- Big data adopted for plants analytics, risk alert and predictions;
- Equipment or services related to irrigation;
- Blockchain related software to help farmers do business through a trusted and secure system;
- Artificial intelligence solutions, IoT or smart devices to facilitate farming activities.
- Sustainable Supply Chain
- Traceability, monitoring & Certifications (along supply chain);
- Involved farmers (social sustainability);
- Fertilisers innovation;
- Farmers training technology;
- Payment tools, supply chain financing or facilitating access to financial services and payment solutions;
- Crowdfunding & Crowdfarming, raising capital for farms and livestock;
- Farm management platform or services to help farmers perform daily activities;
- Agri products or livestock marketplaces, providing a platform for agriculture related e-commerce
- Waste, Circular Economy and Green Energy
- Waste and residues upcycling;
- Waste reutilization;
- Waste management: turning waste into energy or fertilisers;
- Renewable energy solutions for agriculture (solar-powered solutions etc.)
- Precision Farming
Benefits of Joining
- Startups selected to participate in the bootcamp week will have the the chance to create long-term, valuable connections with stakeholders of the local agribusiness chain and with the Eni domain experts, an Italian multinational company known worldwide.
- Furthermore, the best 3, evaluated during a final event by a jury made up of members of Eni and the Kenyan innovation ecosystem, will receive a voucher to be used in services (for a total of € 30.000).
- But not only:
- They will have the opportunity to collaborate and co-design new ideas with some of the most-influencial stakeholders of the Kenyan agribusiness chain;
- They will also have the opportunity to network with mentors, potential investors, partners, and other interesting stakeholders;
- Throughout the bootcamp, participants will have access to not only learning opportunities, but also exciting, engaging, and inspiring events;
- They will have the chance to improve their early business features with tailored mentorship and tutoring, and work with experts to enhance the potential of their projects;
- They will also have the opportunity to improve their storytelling and build compelling pitches;
- Startups will have the chance to present their ideas to the local investor network and other influential individuals, and foster conversation with them;
- “Seeds for sustainable energy 2023” program represents a out-of-the-box learning experience delivered by professionals using an exclusive educational methodology;
- Participants will also have access to an always-ready archive of business tools that they can consult and use in the future;
- All the startups will enter in their community of professionals and individuals with shared passions and ambitions!
Eligibility Criteria
- The startup can be based anywhere in the East African region but its product/service must have potential application/scalability in the Kenyan agribusiness chain
- The average age of the team: 30 years old with diverse founders
- The project should fit in one of the 3 macro agribusiness topics mentioned above and with strong social & sustainability focus
For more information, visit Startup Africa Roadtrip.