Pitch AgriHack supports technological innovation and entrepreneurship in agriculture across Africa. It targets young entrepreneurs 18 to 40 years. Pitch AgriHack 2021 was sponsored by global development organization Heifer International. The competition identified and amplified efforts by young innovators to build resilience beyond COVID-19 through digital agriculture products and services. These innovations should be scalable and generate measurable impact in Africa’s food systems. Winners will receive funding and continued support to scale up their innovations to transform the agriculture sector.
“Digital Technology good for smallholders”
— Mike malambay
Pitch AgriHack 2021 aims to accelerate digital agriculture entrepreneurship led by young innovators to grow their businesses. Eight winners will be selected from two categories to benefit as follows:
- Cash prizes for early-stage, mature/growth-stage and women-led businesses
- Grant funding for scaling up under a fourth invite-only category
- A one-day boot camp for top contestants preparing for final pitches, with winners receiving continued support as they develop and grow their enterprises
- Publication of business and individual profiles online to be shared with the investor community
- Featured as winners at the AGRF Summit, which will be held from September 6-10 in Nairobi
Who is eligible for the competition
The competition is open to companies in the early-stage, growth-stage, or women-led AgTechs with innovative solutions for smallholder farmers. Interested applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Have a clear and defined description of how their solution is impacting smallholder farmers
- Demonstrate a strong organizational and operational structure
- Be aged 18-40 on the day of submission
- Hold nationality (with official identity card) from any of the 54 nations of the African Union
- Be the founder/co-founder of the enterprise represented in the competition and play an active role in its operations and leadership
- Have no criminal record related to corruption, tax evasion, financial impropriety, felony or other offences
- Should not be a previous Pitch AgriHack finalist or winner
Twelve finalists, including six women-led businesses and six others, will be selected to attend training sessions for a virtual final pitching contest
—— Mike Malambay
