Three African agri-tech startups – ThriveAgric of Nigeria, Kenya’s DigicCow, and Botswana-based Brastorne Enterprises – have been named winners of the AYuTe Africa Challenge, securing shares of US$1.5 million in grant funding and access to expert advisors.
Organized by Heifer International, the AYuTe Africa Challenge aims to support agri-tech innovators on the continent and is part of Heifer’s commitment to supporting young entrepreneurs developing affordable tech innovations as they work to scale their businesses.
ThriveAgric is a fast-growing startup boosting farmer incomes and production with its breakthrough “agriculture operating system”; DigiCow is an agri-tech firm using digital tools to modernize production on small-scale dairy farms; and Brastorne Enterprises has developed digital technology for feature phones that is narrowing Africa’s rural digital divide.
The three companies that won the AYuTe Africa Challenge will receive a combined total of US$1.5 million in grants, as well as ongoing support from a team of expert advisors to assist them in turning their funding into a robust growth plan.
“At a time when Africa is facing unprecedented food-related challenges, it is incredibly inspiring to see these young African champions firmly focused on an agriculture-led future that provides farmers with the innovations they need to succeed,” said Adesuwa Ifedi, senior vice president of Africa programs at Heifer International. “We launched this competition in 2021, challenging African youths to bring us innovations poised to provide the positive disruption our farmers urgently need. ThriveAgric, DigiCow, and Brastorne are more than ready to meet the moment.”
