CTA Unveils 'Pitch AgriHack 2018' for Young Agricultural Entrepreneurs, a Chance to Win €15,000

The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) has launched its ‘Pitch AgriHack 2018’ a competition to support young agricultural entrepreneurs “Agripreneurs” build workable startups that would boost innovation for a more sustainable agricultural sector and promotion of youth employment.

Embark on this year #PitchAgriHack 2018 contest, young #ICT4Ag entrepreneurs with start-ups that favour the agrifood sector in the #ACP region. You still have 21days to submit your application on https://t.co/X4np4AGY49
Check this 👇 for more info https://t.co/uZOWruGrHS

— AGRF AgriHack Talent initiative (@PitchAgriHack) April 30, 2018

With the support of the African Development Bank (AfDB), and in collaboration with the African Green Revolution Forum(AGRA), Women in Tech Africa, Wennovation Hub (Nigeria) and Suguba (regional), the competition is open to both male, female founders and Co-founders of e-agric startups. Also, companies that own various platforms (websites, apps, devices using software, etc.) that offer digital services to the agricultural sector can apply.

Themed “Women entrepreneurs innovate for agricultural transformation in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific”, this year’s application is in two categories. The first category is for e-agriculture applications and platforms that have already been developed but that may still need software or business model improvements, while the second is for e-agriculture applications and platforms that are already in operation and generating revenues.

The Pitch Agrihack 2018 will provide a business training boot camp to selected start-ups where they will conduct a pitching competition. Winning startups (50% of finalists will be women founders or co-founders of start-ups) will receive from CTA, AfDB and partners involved a cash prize of up to €15,000 (per start-up).

Special prizes will be awarded in each of the two categories to woman-owned or co-owned businesses. Also, startups would have access to partnerships, investments and promotional opportunities from partners of the programmes.

It is important to involve youth and supporting women in agriculture #womentechafrica #agrihack

— 🤦🏾‍♀️ (@Siantayo) April 28, 2018

Intending applicants need to be nationals and residents of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. Applicants should also be young individuals between the ages of 18 to 35 years old.

Discussions at the final will include issues around strengthening engagement of young women in agricultural technology innovations. The finale will be held in Rwanda during the 2018 edition of the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF 2018), organised by AGRA and other partners, in September 2018.

Interested applicants can click here for details and registration.