Africa’s Food Systems Forum (AGRF), Heifer International, and Generation Africa announced the launch of Pitch AgriHack 2023, marking the third year in a row that the three partners will award cash grants to promising young agritech innovators across the continent
Pitch AgriHack aims to inspire and empower young African agritech entrepreneurs to unleash their innovative spirit and contribute to the transformation of the continent's agricultural landscape. With a total prize money of US$45,000, Pitch AgriHack 2023 will reward the most promising ventures that address key challenges and promote sustainable agricultural development across the continent. The competition consists of three categories: early-stage, mature/growth-stage, and women-led ventures. Three winners and three runners-up will be selected in each category, with each winner receiving a cash prize of US$10,000 and each runner-up receiving US$5,000.
Agnes Kalibata, president of AGRA and former special envoy to the UN Food Systems Summit, expressed her optimism for the competition, stating, “The agriculture sector is undergoing a digital revolution, and Pitch AgriHack 2023 is at the forefront of this transformation. Young businesses with technological solutions are helping smallholder farmers to break through barriers that have relegated them to subsistence farming practices, and Pitch AgriHack is amplifying their visibility and providing them with valuable networking opportunities.”
Entrepreneurs and innovators in the agritech sector are invited to submit their applications to Pitch AgriHack 2023, starting from 29 May until 3 July 2023 at https://Pitch-AgriHack.info/. The competition is open to African founders or co-founders, from ages 18-40, who have businesses providing agritech solution and digital services in the agriculture sector.
Finalists will be selected from among applicants through a rigorous selection process by expert reviewers who will evaluate the submissions based on their innovativeness, feasibility, and potential for impact. Selected finalists will then pitch their agritech solutions to an esteemed panel of judges, on stage at a live finale event, at the AGRF in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from 4-8 September, where the winners will also be announced.
Meanwhile, the AGRF Agribusiness Deal Room, attended by over 800 companies, 15 government delegations, and 150 public and private investors, will generate exciting new opportunities for these entrepreneurs to secure investments, partnerships, and mentorship.
