September 9, 2020 (Morocco) – Impulse, the startup acceleration program developed by Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in partnership with MassChallenge with the support of OCP Group and its subsidiary OCP Africa, awarded its top 16 startups equity-free prizes worth $ 250K (USD). Learn more about the virtual demo day and awards on the Impulse website: www.impulse.ma/en/demoday
The program’s call for applications was closed on October 1, 2019, gathering over 350 applicants from over 40 countries. The 16 startups that were accepted in the program have been rigorously selected by a community of expert judges and represent the top 4.5% of applications. Four other intrapreneurial initiatives from OCP Group have also been integrated into the Impulse accelerator.
During the acceleration period that started in January 2020, the entrepreneurs and the intrapreneurs of the program had the opportunity to attend physical bootcamps in Morocco and Switzerland, as well as a virtual bootcamp with experts and companies from MassChallenge’s network. Participating startups received access to mentoring sessions, training workshops, connections with corporates, investors, the coding school 1337 and UM6P fablab and living laboratories at different phases of the program. Some of the Impulse accelerator startups are also working on pilots with OCP, OCP Africa or UM6P.
In addition to the program’s bootcamps, the mentoring and the matchmaking with potential investors and partners, the entrepreneurs of the program shared into an equity-free prize of $250K (USD).
Diamond Award Winner ($50K)
Foodlocker (Nigeria): Foodlocker aggregates the outputs of smallholder farmers and FMCGs and sells to large buyers.
Platinum Award Winners ($20K)
Datafarm (Brazil): DataFarm is collecting geolocated farm’s agronomic data to identify limiting agronomic factors and reduce the gap between the potential yield and the actual yield.
Lono (Côte d’Ivoire): LONO is a bioprocess engineering company, providing solutions for smallholder farmers and agro-industries to valorize their waste.
Safi Organics (Kenya): Safi Organics is using technology to decentralize fertilizer production and improve rural farmers’ access to high-quality fertilizers.
Social Lender (Nigeria): Social Lender is a fintech solution that helps financial institutions offer financial services based on Social Reputation to underbanked populations.
Strayos (USA): Strayos is a 3D aerial intelligence platform designed for mining, construction and infrastructure operations.
Gold Award Winners ($10K)
AGROOP (Portugal): AGROOP is developing technological solutions for crop monitoring, resources management, risk prevention and optimization of agricultural production.
ColdHubs (Nigeria): ColdHubs is manufacturing 100% solar-powered cold-rooms, allowing merchants and farmers to store perishable goods 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
eProd Solutions (Kenya): eProd Solutions is providing technology solutions for the agricultural sector allowing to estimate farmer produce food safety and nutritional value.
Esoko (Ghana): Esoko is providing a technology platform that connects rural Africans to innovative financial services, markets and information services.
Farmcrowdy (Nigeria): Farmcrowdy provides farmers with smart farming techniques, quality farm inputs, and access to the superior markets to earn a decent profit margin.
HydroBarley (Morocco): innovative, low-cost production of green feed through automated hydroponic systems.
Moldiag (Morocco): Moldiag is developing and producing innovative and cost-effective diagnostic tests for the detection and the quantification of several markers for human, animal and plant diseases.
SATGRIE (Mali): SATGRIE offers a sensor-based IOT system that collects and analyzes soil data in order to determine the nutritional needs of cultivated plants.
SAYeTECH (Ghana): SAYeTECH develops smart machines for African agriculture.
TROTRO Tractor (Ghana): TROTRO Tractor is an agricultural technology company that connects small farmers with tractors and other agricultural machinery services via a digital platform.
About MassChallenge
MassChallenge is a global network of zero-equity startup accelerators. Headquartered in the United States with locations in Boston, Israel, Mexico, Rhode Island, Switzerland, and Texas, MassChallenge is committed to strengthening the global innovation ecosystem by supporting high-potential startups across all industries, from anywhere in the world. To date, more than 2,400 MassChallenge alumni have raised more than $6 billion in funding, generated more than $3.2 billion in revenue, and created more than 157,000 total jobs. Learn more about MassChallenge at masschallenge.org.