AYuTe Africa Challenge Kenya 2024 for young entrepreneurs (up to KSh 3.5 million)

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AYuTe Africa Challenge Kenya promotes agricultural innovation in Kenyan youth, contributing to the country’s food security. AYuTe Africa Challenge Kenya promotes agricultural innovation in Kenyan youth, contributing to the country’s food security through three key pillars:

IDENTIFY: We identify game-changing innovations that address challenges facing smallholder farmers.
ELEVATE: We elevate youth-led innovations through mentorship, training and linkage to access to opportunities.
GROW TOGETHER: We support agritech innovations that benefit smallholder farmers, alongside our partners.

The challenge is an initiative of Heifer Kenya, which is working closely with E4Impact Accelerator to run the competition. E4Impact Accelerator will employ its expertise in business acceleration to develop a strategic direction for youth, agriculture, and technology in line with Heifer Kenya’s mission and approach.

Kenya’s agriculture industry is the backbone of its economy. However, young Kenyans, who represent more than half of the national labor force, remain almost entirely excluded from this significant industry. This is due to challenges such as negative perceptions of agriculture, lack of awareness of agribusiness value chains, and limited opportunities offered by new technologies and innovative business models.

Young people have the potential to significantly reduce poverty and establish Kenya as one of the key players in agricultural markets. AYuTe Africa Challenge Kenya will translate the energy and ideas of young Kenyan agri-tech innovators into meaningful impact for smallholder farmers across the country and support the winners to grow their businesses and profile.

Now in its third chapter in Kenya, the challenge has already made substantial strides. To date, we have received over 400 applications from enthusiastic young innovators. More than 230 entrepreneurs have been trained and mentored, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the agribusiness sector. Additionally, we have awarded $40,000 in cash to help the winning agripreneurs scale their innovations and make a tangible impact on the agricultural landscape.

AYuTe Africa Challenge Kenya Benefits

Cash Prize awards of a total of KES. 3, 500, 000 for the top winners.
Customized 2 months incubation program to the top 20 finalists.
Customized training boot camps at the various levels of the competition;
Technical Assistance at the various levels of the challenge to strengthen the MVP and the business and financial model of the start-up;
Coaching & Mentorship, personalized to unpack training into business implementation;
Links to financial & investment opportunities;
Networking opportunities to showcase your solution and meet with investors and other stakeholders.

Eligibility Criteria for AYuTe Africa Challenge Kenya

Established and registered in Kenya or in the process of registration and having operations in Kenya.
Be an early-stage start-up (3 years and below).
Have an innovative agri-tech solution responding to the needs of the agri-value chain at either of the following levels (e.g., production, aggregation, post-harvest losses management, value addition, access to markets, financing, etc)
The solution has to have a positive impact on smallholder farmers.