Selection

Meet the 25 innovation teams of the AgriTech4Egypt bootcamp

Afrotym
Afrotym produces Waterbank, a pioneering organic soil moisture retainer developed from agricultural waste. Capable of absorbing and retaining adequate moisture in the soil for extended periods, Waterbank significantly reduces the need for constant irrigation in loose soils.

Agrican
Agrican revolutionizes Egyptian agriculture with advanced robotics and precision farming. By integrating sensors, drones, and AI analytics, Agrican provides precise data on soil health, pest management, and irrigation. This enhances productivity and sustainability, reduces waste, and boosts yields. The project also aims to reduce health impacts on workers, minimize harmful residues in crops, lower the carbon footprint, and decrease yield losses, creating positive environmental and health impacts while increasing profitability.

AgriEagle
AgriEagle is a sustainable smart integrated machine in irrigation powered by 33% solar panel efficiency, operating by AI and controlled remotely by IOT technology.

AgroVisioners
AgroVisioners is a revolutionary zero-carbon footprint farming system that leverages natural resources, alongside with cutting-edge AI and vertical farming technology.

Al Murunah
Al Murunah is a community-led, business-backed platform for smallholder farmers, especially women and youth, to: diversify and sustainably intensify production with agroecological practices; build on local niche crops including artichokes and tap into new value chains; improve access to agricultural inputs and services, and valorize farm by-products; and gain improved access to finance through revolving loans and access to market through crop contracting with private sector (Mozar3) partners.

Aqualife iFarms
Aqualife iFarms is a tech start-up, reshaping aquaculture for food security and the benefit of people, profit, and the planet. The AquaSmart System uses sensors, controllers, and a mobile app for real-time water quality, feeding, and environmental monitoring. It aims to empower communities by collaborating with farmers, cooperatives, and governments. Training programs have equipped 30 farmers with sustainable techniques, boosting livelihoods and the local economy.

CutiCoat
CutiCoat revolutionizes post-harvest management with eco-friendly edible coatings, minimizing losses and promoting sustainability. Using active components from agricultural waste, our solutions extend shelf life, tackling long-distance travel and storage challenges. By enhancing resource efficiency and sustainable farming, we support farmers with cost-effective alternatives, reducing waste and building a resilient food system.

Digital Farming and Precision Agriculture
The innovation in Digital Farming and Precision Agriculture utilizes GPS-guided tractors and machinery to control input application, reducing waste and optimizing resource utilization through variable-rate application.

Earth Observation for WEF nexus (EO-WEF)
Earth Observation for WEF nexus (EO-WEF) is a multi-sectorial information system that generates data for the different components of a generic nexus system. The application is powered by Google Earth Engine, a cloud computing platform that includes data archives of regularly updated earth observation and scientific datasets for more than 40 years. EO-WEF is developed with nexus thinking and aims at providing data in a user’s friendly manner.

Ecobees
Ecobees empowers beekeepers with smart monitoring devices via an IoT hive monitoring and an online marketplace for sustainable pollination and bee health.

EcoPeel
EcoPeel recycles banana peels into environmentally friendly materials such as nano-silica for construction and insulating coatings, organic fertilizers, biodegradable bags, and pulp paper using the latest modern technologies.

Everlend
Everlend offers smallholder farmers first-generation cereal seeds on credit, with repayment after harvest. Acting as a marketplace, the platform connects farmers with buyers for fair prices and provides training in climate-friendly farming practices.

Geneina
Geneina utilizes large-scale data models and machine learning to analyze essential farming parameters such as temperature, lighting, and humidity. Geneina's strategy focuses on establishing a network of high-tech micro-farms that enhance its data collection, helping them to understand the complex interactions between these variables.

GeoAgro-MiSR
GeoAgro-MiSR is a comprehensive digital solution that enables Egyptian small holder farmers achieve climate smartness, sustainable intensification and economic optimization under climate change and economic volatility.

Grade A Plus
Grade A Plus is dedicated to sustainability by upcycling sheep wool, reducing waste, and supporting local industries. Its SoilPlus pellets, derived from high-quality wool, enrich soil health for optimal crop growth. While blankets and roll insulation are in R&D, SoilPlus is ready for market, offering eco-friendly solutions for agriculture.

IrWise
IrWise utilizes cutting-edge technologies to enhance sustainable management of natural resources, smart farming, and precision agriculture. By integrating advanced hardware and software systems, IrWise aims to revolutionize how resources are utilized and managed, promoting environmental sustainability and economic efficiency.

Kadry Group
Kadry Group uses poultry feed additives that are healthy, organic, eco-friendly, locally-sourced, and 100% natural. These additives act as growth promoter, boosting growth by up to 50% and act as immunostimaulants without using chemicals or hormones. These are manufactured using the latest nanotechnology techniques.

KIPITFRESH
KIPITFRESH provides mobile solar powered cold storage systems for smallholder fruit farmers with a digitized platform that aggregates demand and supply allowing for B2B pre-orders.

Lamarckii
Lamarckii transforms traditional beekeeping with IoT remote sensors by leveraging Artificial intelligence, and Machine Learning for proactive hive health monitoring, management, and diseases detection, optimizing resource allocation, and maximizing efficiency.

Milkup
Milkup is modern herd management platform for dairy and beef farm. Milkup aims to transform the way dairy and beef farms are managed into a much more efficient, productive, animal-friendly, and eco-friendly manner.

Nina Energy
Nina Energy is an Ecuadorian start-up developing and deploying advanced thermochemical conversion systems for residual biomass across Latin America. Their proprietary technologies enable transforming agricultural and forestry residues into biochar for carbon sequestration, renewable energy production, and value-added biomaterials such as torrefied pellets

OZ-TECH
OZ-TECH introduces intelligent solutions to farmers and landowners through the development of farming robots and offering these products to the agricultural community as a financially accessible service. This aims to eliminate the impact of labor shortages on farmers in an economical and productive manner.

P-Vita
P-Vita is a Biotech Hub that uses recycled agricultural waste to produce patented technologies for manufacturing raw materials in the food and beverage and cosmetics industries.

RAI-TECH
RAI-TECH is the first local manufacturer in Egypt for smart irrigation system with three main objectives: using less water, promoting green practices, and rescuing struggling crops while increasing yield quality through an automated irrigation process.

ZR3i.com
ZR3i.com is a SaaS platform supporting smallholder farmers through digital technologies. It offers agricultural services such as climate data, soil analysis, and crop recommendations to enhance productivity, and connects farmers with financial services and government plans, aiming to make agriculture more efficient and data-driven.

Take a look at the Innovation Teams Booklet

Selection process

1March 2024

Call for applications

The call for applications of the AgriTech4Egypt Innovation Challenge opens on 14 March and closes on 21 April at 23:59 (GMT+2).

2May 2024

Selection of 25 shortlisted candidates

Twenty-five teams, including 5 CGIAR-led innovations, are shortlisted based on the applicability to their solution to the context of Egypt, scientific relevance, novelty and uniqueness, sustainability and scalability of the business model, and team. Shortlisted candidates will receive an email confirming their selection and participation in the AgriTech4Egypt bootcamp.

3June 2024

Bootcamp

The 25 selected teams are invited to travel to Egypt and undergo a 4-day immersive bootcamp offering a farm field trip, technical guidance, business mentorship, and pitch training to prepare for their pitch-day on the final day of the bootcamp.

4July 2024

Announcement of the 15 Finalists

The bootcamp is concluded with the selection and announcement of the top 15 innovations shortlisted by the AgriTech4Egypt Selection Committee, granting them admission to the acceleration program.

5July – November 2024

Acceleration program

The top 15 innovators participate in a fully sponsored acceleration program, combining business training, scientific technical assistance, and funding supporting them in testing, validating, and preparing to scale-up their innovations.

6December 2024

Demo day

The acceleration program is officially adjourned with the demo day where the 15 finalists are given the opportunity to pitch their solutions to investors, industry experts, agribusinesses, scientists, governmental institutions, and partners.

How we select innovations

Applications are assessed by the Selection Committee including industry experts representing CGIAR and project partners.

Evaluations are based on specific criteria, each rated on a scale of 1-5 (1 being poor and 5 being excellent).

Applicability to the context of Egypt: Your team should possess a comprehensive understanding of Egypt’s agriculture sector, its specific needs and challenges, demonstrating that your solution is tailored to fit at least one of the priority areas.
Scientific relevance: Your solution and its applications should be clearly defined and scientifically validated with a clear connection to CGIAR's Impact Areas and ongoing research projects.
Novelty and uniqueness: Your solution should introduce new concepts, approaches, or technologies that diverge from existing ideas and practices.
Sustainability and Scalability: The solution’s business model should be robust and sustainable, addressing market needs effectively and distinguishing itself from competitors in Egypt and/or MENA. It should be supported by documented evidence of market size, scalability, replicability, and transferability, and the ability to prevent competitors from replicating or infringing the innovation.
Environmental and social impact: The solution should effectively address social and environmental challenges, with measurable and positive impacts in these areas.
Team: Your team should have a diverse and complementary skillset, and possess technical, scientific or industry specific knowledge. Your team demonstrates inclusivity, dedication, and commitment to the activities and deliverables of the innovation challenge.