PepsiCo has introduced Lebanon-based start-up Dooda Answers because the winner of the second one iteration of its Greenhouse Accelerator Program: MENA Sustainability Version, in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Local weather Alternate and Setting (MOCCAE) and Meals Tech Valley (FTV). Dooda Answers was once decided on from over 180 candidates, following a rigorous multi-stage variety procedure and six-months of mentorship, and can obtain a $100,000 grant, together with a bunch of different advantages, to scale their sustainable agricultural resolution and develop their trade.
Dooda Answers, a woman-led earthworm farm, focuses on generating premium-grade vermicompost (natural fertilizers) at industrial scale. Its nutrient-rich vermicompost restores soil well being by means of making improvements to its construction, expanding nutrient availability, and adorning microbial job. In this system’s ultimate phases, the group demonstrated a actually leading edge and scalable resolution with a dedication to pushing the limits of sustainable agriculture inventions.
The winner was once introduced on the ultimate rite held at Museum of the Long run, following pitches and a product show off by means of each and every start-up. The development drew participation from His Excellency Eng. Mohammed Mousa Alameeri, Assistant Undersecretary for the Meals Variety Sector on the Ministry of Local weather Alternate and Setting, and Lāth Carlson, Government Director of Museum of the Long run. The professional judging panel comprised His Royal Highness Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud, Founder and CEO of KBW Ventures; Sheikh Dr. Majid Al Qassimi, Founder & Spouse of Soma Mater Control Consultancies; Wael Ismail, Vice President for Company Affairs at PepsiCo Africa, Heart East and South Asia; Alanoud Al Hashmi, CEO of SDG GLOBAL & Futurist; and George Shenouda, Africa Lead, Building and Funding at Masdar.
This system this 12 months fascinated by sustainable agriculture consistent with PepsiCo’s sustainability technique, pep+ (PepsiCo Certain). The AgriTech trade in MENA has attracted round $250 million in investment in 2022, instilling self assurance in regional start-ups and their innovation possible for sustainable agriculture. The Greenhouse Accelerator Program has created new enlargement alternatives on this area, serving to the startup ecosystem flourish.
“On the center of our country’s priorities lies the dedication to meals safety and sustainable agriculture. As we get ready to host the 28th United International locations Local weather Alternate Convention, Convention of the Events (COP28), later this month, we acknowledge the importance of addressing world demanding situations thru innovation and collaboration. We’re prioritizing the acceleration of efforts to succeed in the targets of the UAE’s Nationwide Meals Safety Technique 2051 thru partnerships and answers that deliver a paradigm shift within the agricultural sector and meals programs. One such initiative is the Greenhouse Accelerator Program because it supplies a degree for marketers and startups to make clear their pioneering answers, riding the reason for sustainability, whilst fostering innovation. I commend all individuals for bringing forth their leading edge answers, and PepsiCo, Meals Tech Valley, and all companions concerned for his or her determination to this initiative. I’m assured that in combination, we can give a boost to the resilience and sustainability of the meals sector – paving the best way for a extra sustainable long term for all,” stated His Excellency Eng. Mohammed Mousa Alameeri, Assistant Undersecretary for the Meals Variety Sector – Ministry of Local weather Alternate and Setting.
“Development at the luck of the primary version of our MENA Greenhouse Accelerator, this 12 months marked an important step in opposition to accelerating development in sustainable agriculture within the area. As a part of our commitments to succeed in net-zero emissions by means of 2040 and transform web water certain by means of 2030, we’re actively facilitating innovation to power tangible alternate at scale. At PepsiCo, we’re devoted to supporting innovators and marketers who’re at the vanguard of sustainable answers. Through offering them with a wealth of assets and providing them a platform to show off their answers on world phases, equivalent to at COP28, we need to lend a hand them thrive. We’re fascinated about Dooda Resolution’s possible to grow to be the regional agriculture sector and look ahead to developing extra alternatives for different promising startups that may have a long-lasting certain affect on society,” stated Aamer Sheikh, CEO at PepsiCo Heart East.
“This can be a massive honour to be known by means of PepsiCo’s Greenhouse Accelerator Program: MENA Sustainability Version. This adventure has been transformative, offering our trade with beneficial insights, mentorship, and equipment to refine and scale our sustainable agriculture resolution. This system’s intensive succeed in and community have helped us connect to like-minded marketers, possible companions, and buyers who proportion our imaginative and prescient for sustainable agriculture, no longer most effective accelerating our enlargement but additionally reinforcing our dedication to forcing sustainable alternate within the MENA area. We’re fascinated about the adventure forward and stay dedicated to scaling our operations successfully to supply sustainable answers to all,” stated Nada Ghanem, Founder and Managing Director at Dooda Answers.
All start-ups that participated in this system gained an preliminary grant of $20,000 and one-on-one mentorship from PepsiCo and exterior companions over a six month span, who guided them on the whole thing from analysis and building to trade fashions, advertising, and fundraising. As well as, six firms decided on from each cohorts of the Greenhouse Accelerator Program: MENA Sustainability Version will probably be featured in a devoted show off at COP28 in Dubai. The transfer will increase the rising companies alternatives for enlargement and reinforce this system’s legacy.
For more info at the Greenhouse Accelerator Program, please discuss with Greenhouse Accelerator Program and apply PepsiCo Heart East on LinkedIn.
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