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AYuTe Africa Challenge Kenya

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

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About the Challenge

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

  1. IDENTIFY:  We identify game-changing innovations that address challenges facing smallholder farmers.

  2. ELEVATE:  We elevate youth-led innovations through mentorship, training and linkage to access to opportunities.

  3. 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.

    • John Waweru – Optimerce Consulting Ltd – KES 1,000,000
      Innovation: Digitizing the process of produce collection at farm-gate through mobile apps.

    • 1st Runner-up: Joshua Gitonga – RafikiPay – KES 750,000
      Innovation: Processing of sunflower, groundnuts, soya and canola oil from hybrid seeds.

    • 2nd Runner-up: Grace Kyarimpa – Agrodiverse Ltd Kenya – KES 250,000

  • Read the press release for the 2022 AYuTe Kenya Champions here:

    • IDEATION-STAGE TRACK

    Winner- VUNAPAY- 250,000 KES

    Founder- Koya Matsuno

    VunaPay provides instant payouts to smallholder farmers through agricultural cooperatives by offering end-to-end produce and farm input management solutions, saving farmers from manual processes, and late payment.

    1st Runner Up- AGRONOMY PLUS – 150,000 KES

    Founder- Michael Odhiambo

    Agronomy Plus is an on-demand Agtech enabled agribusiness that aims to upscale smallholder farmers. Functioning as an "Uber for Agronomists," agronomy plus utilizes geolocation technology, USSD, Web, and Android App to instantly connect farmers to agribusiness service providers and off-takers.

    2nd Runner UP- SILO AFRICA- 100,000 KES

    Founder- Eliud Rugut

    Silo Africa serves smallholder farmers with digitized grain silos equipped with an advanced aflatoxin and pest detection device which is IoT powered, that provides a safe and secure way of preserving grains up to 10 years without the use of chemicals.

     

    • PRODUCT-STAGE TRACK

    Winner- ECO BRISTO- 1,000,000 KES

    Founder- Mutuma Muriuki

    Eco Bristo is a pioneering agritech startup committed to sustainable pest management. They develop solar-powered insect traps that attract and capture pests such as moths, fruit flies, and other crop-damaging insects revolutionising pest control and improving crop production.

    1st Runner Up- AGRITECH ANALYTICS- 400,000 KES

    Founder – Maryanne Gichanga

    AgriTech Analytics is a startup in the smart agriculture industry that leverages Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Satellite Imagery and Data Analytics to provide farmers with actionable insights towards increasing crop yields, reducing resource consumption, and ensuring sustainable agriculture.

    2nd Runner Up- GROWAGRIC- 200,000 KES

    Founder - David Njonjo

    Growagric is a startup in the agritech space. It operates as a platform that provides farmers with working capital, farm management tools, training, and connects the farmers to ready markets at the end of the farming cycle.

    • SPECIAL AWARD CATEGORY -

      Winner 1: Agromony Plus(1st runner up-ideation stage)

      Winner 2: One Million Avocados.

    Founder- Akayru Kevin-Dylan Nyakaru

    One Million Avocados applies technology in farming to increase the production and quality of avocados. The startup utilizes blockchain, IoT, sensors, satellite, and drone monitoring, combined with Artificial Intelligence technologies to increase the production and quality of avocados using precision farming

    1. Cash Prize awards of a total of KES. 3, 500, 000 for the top winners.

    2. Customized 2 months incubation program to the top 20 finalists.

    3. Customized training boot camps at the various levels of the competition;

    4. Technical Assistance at the various levels of the challenge to strengthen the MVP and the business and financial model of the start-up;

    5. Coaching & Mentorship, personalized to unpack training into business implementation;

    6. Links to financial & investment opportunities;

    7. Networking opportunities to showcase your solution and meet with investors and other stakeholders.

    1. Established and registered in Kenya or in the process of registration and having operations in Kenya.

    2. Be an early-stage start-up (3 years and below).

    3. 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)

    4. The solution has to have a positive impact on smallholder farmers.

  • The AYuTe Africa Challenge, Kenya is is targeting the following regions with the corresponding counties:

    The regions include:

    1. Nairobi

    2. Central Regional Economic Bloc: Nyeri, Nyandarua, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Laikipia, Nakuru an Kiambu

    3. Lake Region Economic Bloc and North Rift Economic Bloc: Migori, Nyamira, Siaya, Vihiga, Bomet, Bungoma, Busia, Homa Bay, Kakamega, Kisii, Kisumu, Kericho, Uasin Gishu, Trans-nzoia, Nandi

    4. ASAL Counties: Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Isiolo, Marsabit, Tana River, Lamu, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Baringo, Samburu, Turkana, Kitui, Machakos, Makueni, Kajiado and Narok

  • How to Apply? 

    To apply, fill out the application form here - https://bit.ly/AYuteChallengeKe 

    The call for applications is open until 14/7/2024 at 11.59 PM EAT.

    Any queries? Please write to info.kenya@heifer.org  /  accelerator.kenya@e4impact.org

  • 6/6/2024 Call for applications.

    7/7/2024 Call for application Window Closes. 

    20/6/24 First Info Session

    4/7/24 Second Info Session

    17/10/2024 Award Ceremony.

  • Who runs AYuTe Africa Challenge Kenya? The AYuTe Africa Challenge Kenya is an initiative of Heifer Kenya, which works closely with E4Impact Accelerator (E4I) to run the challenge.

    How long will the challenge run? The challenge will run for 5 months from the time of the call for application to the awarding of the winners. 

    Program Eligibility:

    Is the AYuTe Kenya challenge only open to Kenyan enterprises? Yes, only enterprises undergoing registration or are already registered in Kenya are eligible to apply.

    Who is eligible to participate? Start-ups established and registered in Kenya, or in the process of registration with operations in Kenya, are eligible. Additionally, they must be early-stage start-ups (3 years and below) with agri-tech solutions 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).

    What stage of enterprise can apply? 

    ·       Track 1- Early stage 

    Prototype:which means there is an early model of the product that could be a representation of an idea, product, or service that can be used to test and validate the concept before any significant investment is made in development or production

    Proof of concept: A test has been conducted to validate a product or idea, before committing more resources to bring it to market. It helps demonstrate the idea by examining its ability to work, validating market demand, and better understanding the funding required.

    ·       Track 2 - Scaling Phase

    ·       A viable product in the marketplace that is already serving the needs of some existing clients and could be undergoing additional optimization based on market interests, or

    ·       Is already generating revenues with established users in one or more of the geographic areas of interest in Kenya, or

    ·       Is scaling which means that they are start-ups that have grown in scale after succeeding in establishing a sustainable business model and commercializing its offer to a wider market segment. 

    Is there an age criterion for the founders of the enterprise? Yes, the founders should be youths i.e., aged between 18-35 years.

    What kind of innovations do you expect the enterprises to be? Innovations offering an agri-tech solution responding to the needs of the agri-value chain at various levels e.g. production, aggregation, post-harvest losses management, value addition, access to markets, financing, etc.

    What are the various innovation stages that an enterprise will be considered?

    ·       Track 1- Early stage 

     Prototype:which means there is an early model of the product that could be a representation of an idea, product, or service that can be used to test and validate the concept before any significant investment is made in development or production

    Proof of concept: A test has been conducted to validate a product or idea, before committing more resources to bring it to market. It helps demonstrate the idea by examining its ability to work, validating market demand, and better understanding the funding required.

    ·       Track 2 - Scaling Phase

    ·       A viable product in the marketplace that is already serving the needs of some existing clients and could be undergoing additional optimization based on market interests, or

    ·       Is already generating revenues with established users in one or more of the geographic areas of interest in Kenya, or

    ·       Is scaling which means that they are start-ups that have grown in scale after succeeding in establishing a sustainable business model and commercializing its offer to a wider market segment. 

    Your application

    How do I participate in the AYuTe Africa Challenge Kenya Competition? To participate, you need to fill in the online application form here: https://bit.ly/AYuteChallengeKe  

    Before completing your application form, make sure that you have:

    1.       Familiarized yourself with the AYuTe Africa Challenge Kenya requirements and the eligibility criteria;

    2.       Filled out the application form with as many details as possible to all the questions asked and then;

    3.       Submit your application before the lapse of the application deadline which is 7th July 2024 at 11.59 pm EAT.

    Is my application automatically saved? Yes.

    Is the entry to the competition confidential? Yes, it is. Any information provided in the application will be held in full confidence as we comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)..