The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST Africa) has crowned Ghanaian startup SAYeTECH as the winner of the 2024 MEST Africa Challenge (MAC). Held in partnership with the Norwegian Embassy in Accra, this year’s competition focused on AgriTech innovation under the theme ‘Find Your Soil.’ The event celebrated groundbreaking solutions transforming agriculture in West Africa.
Led by Theodore Ohene-Botchway, SAYeTECH impressed judges with its innovative agricultural machinery, which addresses the unique challenges of African farmers. The startup secured the grand prize of $50,000 in equity funding to scale its operations.
“This funding allows us to scale production and shorten delivery times, ensuring smallholder farmers get the equipment they need to boost productivity,” said Ohene-Botchway.
Founded in 2018, SAYeTECH combines hardware and IoT technology to create smart agricultural machinery tailored for Africa. Its flagship product, the multi-crop thresher, reduces post-harvest losses by up to 35%, increases farmers’ incomes by 50%, and is 60 times faster than manual methods. The company also manufactures other farm machinery, including dryers, mixers, and juice extractors, and offers custom design services.
MAC 2024 attracted applications from 14 West African countries, including Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo. Six finalists pitched their solutions at the grand finale, demonstrating how AgriTech can drive sustainability and improve food security in the region.
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Ashwin Ravichandran, Portfolio Advisor at MEST Africa, emphasized the importance of providing an enabling environment for innovators. “AgriTech innovation thrives when rooted in the right ecosystem. ‘Find Your Soil’ is about helping startups find the partnerships and support they need to succeed,” he said.
MEST Africa, established in 2008, continues to shape Africa’s tech landscape through initiatives like the MEST Africa Challenge. By supporting startups with funding, training, and global networks, MEST fosters job creation and economic growth across the continent.
This victory underscores SAYeTECH’s pivotal role in transforming agriculture in West Africa while reinforcing MEST Africa’s commitment to empowering tech innovators.
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